UK employment tribunal backlog reaches record 531,000 cases as workers file over 64,000 claims in Q1 2026 alone

The backlog of employment tribunal cases in England and Wales hit a new high of 531,000 at the start of 2026, after workers filed more than 64,000 claims in the first quarter of the year, according to figures published by the Ministry of Justice. The figures represent the highest case-load ever recorded in the employment tribunal system and mark a continued deterioration in access to justice for claimants waiting for hearings. The surge in claim volumes reflects multiple converging pressures: the broader cost-of-living environment, which has driven more workers to pursue claims over pay, redundancy, and unfair dismissal; increased awareness of employment rights following legislative activity in recent years; and ongoing capacity constraints within the tribunal system itself, including judicial and administrative resource limitations. For employers — including major UK corporates and law firms' own HR functions — the ballooning backlog has material business implications. A 531,000 case queue means average waiting times for heard cases extend significantly, creating uncertainty for both claimants and respondent employers who face prolonged exposure on disputed liabilities. The position also creates pressure on the Ministry of Justice and His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to invest in tribunal capacity, whether through digital case management, additional judicial appointments, or expanded use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.