Employment Tribunals: Rising Claims
The Government has recently released tribunal data from October to December 2025, which shows a marked increase in the number of employment claims being issued, with significant growth across several key areas.
Key Trends in Claim Volumes
- Open employment tribunal claims rose by 12% in Q3 2025/26 (October–December 2025), reaching an estimated 523,000.
- Single claim receipts increased rapidly, rising 54% year-on-year. Around 13,000 new single claims were submitted in the quarter.
- In contrast, only 5,700 single claims were concluded, meaning the volume of new claims entering the system continues to outpace resolutions.
- Unfair dismissal remains the most common complaint, accounting for over half of all claims lodged.
- Whistleblowing claims have surged—doubling over the last year—while disability discrimination claims have grown by approximately 42%, with notable increases in cases involving neurodivergence since 2020.
Shifts in the Nature of Claims
While the overall rise in claims is significant, the changing mix of claim types is equally notable:
- A sharp increase in whistleblowing and discrimination claims suggests heightened employee awareness of workplace rights.
- Claims related to neurodivergence continue to increase, reflecting both increased disclosure and growing litigation in this area.
- Although receipts of lead multiple cases fell by 43%, progress on resolving these complex claims has slowed, adding to the increased volume of cases being processed.
Interpreting the Data
The uplift in claim receipts appears to be driven by a combination of:
- Greater employee confidence in pursuing legal redress
- Increased visibility of workplace rights
- A rise in disputes relating to dismissal, equality issues, and protected disclosures
While the Employment Case Management system transition has caused some reporting inconsistencies, it does not account for the scale of the increase.
Looking Ahead
With the Employment Rights Act 2025 introducing major reforms—particularly the reduction of the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to six months—the number of claims being issued is expected to remain high and is likely to increase further as the new rules take effect throughout 2026.
These trends underline the importance of strong management practices, legally compliant policies, and proactive handling of employee concerns to help reduce the risk of disputes progressing to tribunal.
Tribunal Statistics Quarterly: October to December 2025 - GOV.UK
