The already large backlog of 35,653 Employment Tribunal cases as at March 2020 has been worsened by the onset of COVID, analysis has revealed.
The ET service initially adjourned most cases via telephone hearings whilst a video platform system was being installed. Over the course of 2020, even after online hearings started alongside telephone hearings and some “in person” hearings, the backlog has continued to increase, standing at 50,497 cases by March 2021. About 60% of the outstanding ET caseload is in London and the South East of England.
With antiquated administrative systems adding to the problem, those involved are having to wait longer and longer for their hearings to be listed, with delays in listing of 12 months or more regularly occurring.
