London Employment Tribunals Delayed to 2026

Nationwide Judge Shortages Exacerbate Backlogs

Figures released in the minutes of the Employment Tribunals User Group meeting for April reveal that hearings lasting six to ten days in the London South region are now listed as far out as 2026. Similar delays are forecast across other major areas, with week-long tribunal dates unavailable for two years.

Regional Waiting Times at a Glance

The listing delays for long hearings by region are as follows:

• London South: Hearings listed into 2026
• London East, North West (Liverpool), Midlands East and South East: Listings in the second half of 2025
• Wales (South), London Central, North East and South West: Dates available in 2024

Shorter hearings (three to five days) in some regions are now scheduled no earlier than late 2025. This situation highlights the widening gap between demand for hearings and the number of sitting judges.

Judge Recruitment Struggles

Judge Barry Clarke, President of Employment Tribunals for England and Wales, noted that 60% of the backlog for single claims resides in London and the South East, yet these regions only have 30–40% of the total judicial complement. Although 19 new salaried judges were recruited nationwide, the business case called for 50. This marks the fourth consecutive recruitment drive where HMCTS has fallen short in London and the South East.

“There is no shortage of those who wish to become salaried judges in other parts of the country,” the minutes state, attributing the shortfall largely to the cost of living in London and the South East. A further 50 fee-paid judges are expected to be appointed later this year, but the next comprehensive drive will not occur for another three years.

Current Judicial and Membership Numbers

As of April 2024, the tribunal workforce comprises:

• 8 Regional Employment Judges (plus 3 Acting Regional Judges)
• 165 Salaried Judges
• 350 Fee-Paid Judges
• 780 Non-Legal Members

Quarterly Tribunal Statistics (Oct–Dec 2023)

The most recent quarterly report shows:

• Single employment case receipts ↑ 7% to 8,100
• Single case disposals ↓ 11% to 7,100
• Backlog of single claims at year-end: 33,000
• Multiple case receipts: 16,000
• Multiple case disposals: 23,000
• Open caseload for multiple cases: 431,000

For related updates on tribunal delays and employment tribunal hearings delayed to 2026, visit our Employment Law News section.