Employment Tribunal statistics from January to March 2026 evidence continuing pressure on an already overstretched and backlogged Tribunal system.
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.
It is widely anticipated that the implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025 will lead to further a surge in claims, resulting in additional pressure on the employment tribunal system. With the Tribunals already overstretched and under-resourced, claimants can expect significant delays in progressing their claims and reaching a Final Hearing.