Fewer tribunal claims brought

A sharp downturn has been recorded in the number of employment tribunal claims brought during the past year, with 86,181 being registered in comparison to 115,042 the previous year.

Jane Fraser, head of employment pensions and benefits at Maclay Murray and Spens, commented: ìMuch of this decrease can be explained by the fact there were fewer multiple cases and the previous yearís figures had been skewed by 7,000 civil service claims related to dress codes in jobcentres. It is not yet clear to what extent the new rules on dispute resolution have had an effect as they came into force part of the way through the year.î

Of the cases brought, over one third were settled through the conciliation service, Acas, before they reached tribunal and a further third were withdrawn before being heard. Of the remainder, two thirds were successful at tribunal.