Unfair dismissal claims face five-year delay as tribunal backlog grows
Unfair dismissal claims in England and Wales are facing unprecedented delays, with some cases taking up to five years to be heard. This backlog has left many individuals, like Catriona Ball, in legal limbo following the loss of loved ones. Experts are calling for urgent reforms to address the growing crisis in the employment tribunal system.
- ▪The backlog of claims before the Employment Tribunal has reached almost 72,000, increasing by nearly 26,000 in just one year.
- ▪Catriona Ball's claim for constructive unfair dismissal will not be heard until 2029, following her husband's death in 2024.
- ▪Experts warn that the current delays are causing significant hardship for both claimants and businesses.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Unfair dismissal claims face five-year delay as tribunal backlog growsJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDominic CascianiHome and legal correspondentBBCCatriona Ball, whose late husband's case will not be heard until 2029, says she did not realise there would be such long delaysUnprecedented employment tribunal service delays in England and Wales mean people bringing unfair dismissal claims are waiting up to five years for their case to be heard.Expert lawyers say there must now be radical change if there is to be justice for both claimants and the companies involved.One of those affected is Catriona Ball, whose husband Lewis died in 2024, weeks after he quit a job he believed had been making him ill.After his death, she lodged a claim at the Employment Tribunal for constructive…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News — UK.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from BBC News — UK
