(1) The Employment Tribunals Act 1996 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4).

(2) In section 28 (composition of Appeal Tribunal), for subsections (2) to (4A) substitute -

"(2) Proceedings before the Appeal Tribunal are to be heard by a judge alone.

This is subject to subsections (3) to (6) and to any provision made by virtue of section 30(2)(f) or (2A).

(3) A judge may direct that proceedings are to be heard by a judge and either two or four appointed members.

(4) A judge may, with the consent of the parties, direct that proceedings are to be heard by a judge and either one or three appointed members.

(5) The Lord Chancellor may by order provide for proceedings of a description specified in the order to be heard by a judge and either two or four appointed members.

(6) In proceedings heard by a judge and two or four appointed members, there shall be an equal number of -

(a) employer-representative members, and

(b) worker-representative members.

(7) In this section -

"employer-representative members" means appointed members whose knowledge or experience of industrial relations is as representatives of employers;