Ice Pick......having been in the law for over twenty years myself I know only too well that there are as many opinions as there are lawyers. The same goes for the view to be taken over a set of facts by different Industrial Tribunal Chairmen. Litigation is a lottery. However, if there is clear evidence of bad behaviour and inappropriate conduct on behalf of an employer (abundant in my case), generally a Tribunal will try to give an applicant a remedy.
Balpa is correct in having a process to vet claims. This process however is overseen by a non lawyer, does not adequately consider submissions and has a tame lawyer on hand to endorse "its too risky" so Balpa are not interested. With the pathetically small legal budget available to Balpa you do not have to look far to realise why this check is in place.
Like I said before, dont look to Balpa to give you legal cover,make your own arrangements. There are however reasons to be a member despite this in my submission.