England and Wales Tribunals Face 72,000-Case Backlog as Unfair Dismissal Hearings Slip 5 Years
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 20
England and Wales Tribunals Face 72,000-Case Backlog as Unfair Dismissal Hearings Slip 5 Years
1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 20
Almost 72,000 employment claims are now waiting in England and Wales, up nearly 26,000 in a year, leaving new unfair dismissal cases facing full hearings only around 2031.
Lawyers say the pile-up is being driven by more complex discrimination and whistleblowing cases, plus self-represented claimants using AI to produce 30- to 40-page filings that take judges longer to process.
The Employment Lawyers' Association warned delays are hurting both workers and employers, with some cases at risk of becoming unfair to try as witnesses leave, memories fade or key evidence is lost.
For claimant Catriona Ball, who filed in February 2025 after her husband Lewis died weeks after quitting his job, the tribunal has listed a full hearing and judgment only in 2029.
The group wants a new dispute-resolution body, AI to assess rather than expand claims, and simpler cases routed to legal officers, while the Justice Ministry says it is adding judges, sitting days and digital systems.
As new laws abolish compensation caps, is the UK's employment justice system heading for a complete collapse?
Tribunal delays now span five years; how can UK businesses possibly defend themselves against claims from the past?
With AI slowing down justice, are legal tech tools a trap or a lifeline for dismissed workers?
England and Wales Employment Tribunals Face 500,000+ Case Backlog Amid New Laws and AI-Driven Disputes
Overview
The employment tribunal system in England and Wales is facing an unprecedented crisis, with record backlogs and severe delays that are eroding access to justice for both claimants and employers. This situation is being driven by the anticipated impact of the Employment Rights Bill, which is expected to dramatically increase the volume of claims by reducing the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from two years to six months, giving millions more people the right to bring claims. As a result, the system is struggling to handle an influx of diverse cases, making it harder for everyone to achieve timely and fair outcomes.