EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL STATISTICS

15th February 2012

The latest statistics in relation to the volume of cases handled by the Employment Tribunals have been published recently by the Ministry of Justice.

The current statistics relate to the quarter from July to September 2011 inclusive. Within this period, Employment Tribunals received 40,300 new cases, a 30 per cent decrease in overall claims, compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The number of single claims decreased slightly, whilst the number of multiple claims reduced by 41 per cent. The figure for the comparable period last year was however distorted by a number of re-submitted airline related cases received in July to September 2010. In July to September 2011, there were 26,700 cases fully disposed of by the Tribunals, a fall of 16% on the comparable period last year. The number of single cases completed fell by 4% and the number of multiple claim cases disposed of also fell, in this category, by 27%. The total number of different jurisdictional points disposed of in this period was 58,700. Of this large figure, 48,000 were resolved without the need for a full Tribunal hearing, including via the assistance of the conciliation service ACAS. Of those that were decided upon by a Tribunal hearing and subsequent Tribunal decision, claimants were successful in 5800 cases and unsuccessful in 3900. High volumes of claims were resolved in the areas of unfair dismissal (11700), sex discrimination (4300), race discrimination (1200), disability discrimination (1800), working time (6000) and equal pay (5600). All of these figures continue to reflect the need for employers to be aware of the wide range of issues that their employees can request an Employment Tribunal to consider. Whether the case requires discussion or representation to achieve a settlement prior to any hearing or of course merits representation at the Employment Tribunal to defend any claim, caution should be exercised by any employer who decides to enter this field without professional expertise. We can provide practical and comprehensive assistance at all stages of the Employment Tribunal process. For all enquiries and further information, please contact us