Tribunal service expects rise in employment claims

Employment claims look set to continue rising, according to an official report by the Tribunal Service.

This is in spite of the fact that claims are already at record levels.

Judge David Latham, who is president of the employment section of the Tribunal Service, says there have been several new employment laws over the last year which have impacted on tribunals.

The new developments include the new statutory system of fit notes, additional paternity leave and new rules governing no win no fee agreements.

In his annual statement, Judge Latham also highlighted how the Equality Act reforms the law in a number of important areas relating to equality and discrimination. This too will affect the number of claims.

He said: “It is expected that this will increase the number and variety of claims made to the Employment Tribunal.”

The warning comes at a time when claims to employment tribunals are already at a record high. Judge Latham said: “For the financial year ended 31st March 2010, the number of claims lodged with Employment Tribunals was 236,100, representing an increase of 56% on 2008-2009.

“Whilst this increase included a substantial rise in multiple claims, single claims alone increased by 14% over the previous financial year. The result was that in that financial year claims with the Employment Tribunal were at the highest level ever.”

The latest figures show that the number of claims continues to rise. For the three months to 30th June last year, the number of claims lodged with employment tribunals was 44,306. That was 4% higher than the same period in 2009.

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