Employment tribunal cases rising sharply

New statistics from the Ministry of Justice reveal a worrying trend in the Employment Tribunal system. For the quarter from January to March 2026, it was reported that a staggering 64,000 single claim cases remained open, representing a 55% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The numbers indicate that during the fiscal year 2025/26, the tribunal received 50,000 single claim receipts while managing to dispose of only 26,000 of these cases.

Catrin Mills, an employment partner at law firm Sharpe Pritchard, shared her insights on the matter, stating “That employment tribunal claims are at record levels won’t be a surprise. We already know that the employment tribunal system is under sustained pressure with the numbers of new claims significantly outpacing capacity. Claims are becoming more complex, hearings are significantly delayed and cases can take a long time to resolve.” The escalating caseload not only places added stress on the tribunal system but also increases the risk for employers facing employment-related disputes.

Mills highlighted the broader implications of this surge, explaining that “the risk to employers therefore continues to grow, and employment litigation affects organisations in ways beyond the financial cost. It can be a huge drain on management time and a major cause of stress for those involved.” She pointed out that many of the claims stem from management issues that could potentially have been avoided with timely intervention.

To address these mounting challenges, Mills advocated for proactive measures by employers. She suggested that “we encourage employers to invest in training to empower managers, and to explore alternative approaches to disputes, such as workplace mediation, to try to resolve issues before they escalate.” By taking tangible steps to improve management practices and dispute resolution strategies, businesses may not only ease the burden on the Employment Tribunal but also foster a healthier workplace environment.