Tribunal Statistics Published
After a six month delay, statistics for the Employment Tribunal Service have been published by the Ministry of Justice. The figures for the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 show that 189,303 claims were accepted, which represents a 43 per cent rise on the 2006/07 figure of 132,57.
Many of the claims were lodged under more than one jurisdiction, e.g. unfair dismissal and breach of contract, so that the absolute total was an increase from 238,546 in 2006/07 to 296,963 in 2007/2008.
While unfair dismissal claims normally top the list, they did not do so in 2007/8. Equal Pay claims came in first place with 62,706 being lodged in 2007/2008, up from 44,013 in 2006/2007. Second spot went to Working Time claims at 55,712, up from 21,127 last year representing a massive increase of 34,585, i.e. 163%. Unfair dismissal claims were third at 40,091, which was a decrease on the 2006/7 figure of 44,491.
In 2007/8 there were 4,130 race claims, 26,907 sex discrimination claims, 5,833 disability claims, 709 religion or belief claims, 582 sexual orientation claims and 2,949 age claims as against 972 in 2006/7, an increase of 203%.
The median award in unfair dismissal claims was £4,000, and the average was £8,058. Highest awards in the discrimination jurisdictions were: Race = £68,991, Sex = £131,466, Disability = £227,208, Religion or Belief = £5,750, Sexual Orientation = £22,850 and Age = £12,124.
The figures also show that there were 134 cost awards to claimants and 327 costs awards to respondents. The maximum costs award was £17,775, the median was £1,000 and the average was £2,095
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
