Claims on the rise
The Tribunal statistics for the period July to September 2019 have been published and show a continuing rise in single employment tribunal cases.
The Tribunal statistics for the period July to September 2019 have been published and show a continuing rise in single employment tribunal cases. The number of single claims received (12,000) is 38% higher than the same period last year – most likely to due to the continuing effects of the abolition of tribunal fees in 2017, and the inclusion of some cases which will be reclassified as multiple claims once fully vetted. Since the fees were abolished, 22,000 applications for refunds have been received – a total monetary value of £18 million.
The number of multiple claims received (13,000) was 10% down on the numbers for the same period last year but the Employment Tribunal caseload outstanding for the quarter (33,000 claims) has almost reached the peak levels seen in 2009/2010.
Of the 15,000 claims disposed of in the quarter (which is a combined figure for single claims and multiple claims), only 9% of these claims were successful at tribunal.
Increasing claim levels will not be good news for employers - and the high outstanding caseload, combined with stretched judicial and administrative tribunal resources are creating challenges in how existing cases are being dealt with and causing inevitable delays. More full-time salaried judges have been recruited but it may take some time to clear the backlog, particularly with the increasing number of claims being received.
It remains to be seen whether the strain on tribunal resources will prompt a further attempt to reintroduce a fee regime that does not present a barrier to access nor discriminate against any groups of claimant, but which alleviates at least some of the financial strain on the system.
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Opinion
Autumn statement 2023 – key take outs for employers
Opinion
Collective bargaining rights
Opinion
Agency cover and strike action
Published Article
Infrastructure and social value in public contracts – making it concrete
Opinion
Updates in equality – An overview of new regulations
Opinion
Minimum Service Levels and reasonable steps – consultation response
Legal Update
Holiday entitlement and pay: Reforms ahead
Legal Update
A positive duty to prevent sexual harassment
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Care Fertility Group on acquisition of CRGW
Opinion
Bonus clawback provisions: Clear and reasonable
Opinion
Third party intervention did not break the chain of causation in whistleblowing detriment claim
Opinion
Holiday pay claims: A series of deductions
Opinion
Monitoring workers – ICO guidance
Press Release
Browne Jacobson strengthens employment team with key partner hire
Legal Update
Greater predictability over terms for workers
Guide
Transforming EDI practices in UK insurance
Opinion
Minimum service levels and reasonable steps
Opinion
Modern slavery in the care sector – how employers can manage risks
Legal Update
Defending equal pay claims: Equal pay for equal work?
Opinion
Government response to Pregnancy Loss Review recommends actions for NHS employers
Opinion
Right to request flexible working – changes ahead for employers
Legal Update
Employment Healthcare Briefing - July 2023
Opinion
Are teacher strikes coming to an end?
Opinion
Further consultants strike announced following government pay offer
Opinion
Watering down workplace harassment proposals
Opinion
Agency worker cover during strikes
Press Release
Law firm advises on MBO of insolvency and restructuring firm Bridgewood backed by DSW Capital
Legal Update
Glass ceilings and workplaces
Opinion
EU standstill provisions maintained allowing the NHS to retain and employ healthcare workers
Legal Update
School leaders survey – the results are in!
Legal Update
Employment alternative dispute resolution
Opinion
NHS Long Term Workforce Plan unveiled
Legal Update
Parental leave and pay - gender equality?
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advise on international sale of entertainment company Music For Pets
Opinion
New ACAS guidance on 'Whistleblowing at work'
Opinion
Carer's Leave Bill set to become law
Opinion
New rights for working parents and carers
Opinion
The NHS pay deal – are all Agenda for Change staff eligible?
Opinion
Further three-day junior doctors strike announced for June
