![[UK] More than half a million employment tribunal cases still await resolution](http://gpa.net/cdn/shop/articles/bigstock-Stacks-Documents-Of-Paper-File-330908518_1200x.jpg?v=1781758933)
In the UK, the latest government figures have revealed that employment tribunal claims continued to rise in the first three months of 2026, People Management reports.
Statistics published by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) show that there were 531,000 open claims at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025-26 (covering January to March), rising from 491,000 a year earlier
Active single claim cases reportedly reached 64,000 in the first quarter - a 55 per cent increase year on year - alongside 467,000 multiple claims brought by groups of workers against the same employer.
According to HMCTS figures, the employment tribunals service received 22,000 new claims in the quarter. It only disposed of 11,000.
The Employment Lawyers Association and other legal bodies have reportedly called for radical reform as pressure grows. The government’s Keep Britain Working review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, backed fast-tracking alternative dispute resolution.
Rob McKellar - legal services director at consultancy firm Peninsula - told People Management that the continued growth in claims showed a tribunal system under increasing strain.
“A trend that we’ve seen is a significant increase in the number of multiple claims being made by individuals representing themselves with the use of AI,” he said.
Mr McKellar reportedly added that pressure on the tribunal system was unlikely to ease, particularly ahead of changes to unfair dismissal rights due to take effect in January 2027. He said it remained unclear what impact the introduction of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) would have on future claim volumes.
The FWA launched on April 7 as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, combining the roles of the HMRC’s national minimum wage enforcement team, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. It enforces workplace rights such as statutory sick pay and holiday pay, and has powers to investigate and penalise non-compliant employers.
Source: People Management
(Links and quote via original reporting)
In the UK, the latest government figures have revealed that employment tribunal claims continued to rise in the first three months of 2026, People Management reports.
Statistics published by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) show that there were 531,000 open claims at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025-26 (covering January to March), rising from 491,000 a year earlier
Active single claim cases reportedly reached 64,000 in the first quarter - a 55 per cent increase year on year - alongside 467,000 multiple claims brought by groups of workers against the same employer.
According to HMCTS figures, the employment tribunals service received 22,000 new claims in the quarter. It only disposed of 11,000.
The Employment Lawyers Association and other legal bodies have reportedly called for radical reform as pressure grows. The government’s Keep Britain Working review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, backed fast-tracking alternative dispute resolution.
Rob McKellar - legal services director at consultancy firm Peninsula - told People Management that the continued growth in claims showed a tribunal system under increasing strain.
“A trend that we’ve seen is a significant increase in the number of multiple claims being made by individuals representing themselves with the use of AI,” he said.
Mr McKellar reportedly added that pressure on the tribunal system was unlikely to ease, particularly ahead of changes to unfair dismissal rights due to take effect in January 2027. He said it remained unclear what impact the introduction of the Fair Work Agency (FWA) would have on future claim volumes.
The FWA launched on April 7 as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025, combining the roles of the HMRC’s national minimum wage enforcement team, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. It enforces workplace rights such as statutory sick pay and holiday pay, and has powers to investigate and penalise non-compliant employers.
Source: People Management
(Links and quote via original reporting)
