Employment tribunal caseload hits record high in 2025/26

Figures from the Ministry of Justice showed the number of open cases in the Employment Tribunal reached record levels in 2025/26. 

The tribunal received 50,000 single claim receipts and disposed of 26,000 single claim cases. 

At the end of March 2026, the single claim open caseload stood at 64,000, up 55% compared to the same period in 2024/25.

The tribunal also received 2,400 lead multiple cases and disposed of 1,700 in 2025/26. 

The number of open lead cases stood at 7,500, covering 44,000 multiple claim receipts, 19,000 disposals, and an open caseload of 467,000 at the end of March.

Catrin Mills, employment partner at Sharpe Pritchard, said: “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.”