Employers are preparing for an increase in legal claims as the time limit for employees to bring cases to employment tribunals doubles. From 1 October, employees will have six months to initiate court cases against employers for claims including unfair dismissal, discrimination, and unlawful wage deductions, an increase from the previous three-month limit.
Dipti Shah, partner and head of employment law at Quastels, noted that employers will need to ensure they have comprehensive records and documentation to support their cases. Adam Grant, partner and head of employment at Wedlake Bell, stated that the extension is likely to lead to more claims being issued, as it provides potential claimants with more time to seek legal advice and gather evidence.
Employment Tribunal cases in England and Wales reached a record high of 70,000 between April and June this year. Grant suggested that while the reform may improve access to justice for workers, increased claim volumes could add further pressure to the tribunal system unless additional resources are provided.
This change marks the first phase of autumn employment law reforms, with a second wave of changes planned for 30 October. These later reforms include changes to trade union rights, granting independent unions the right to enter workplaces for recruitment and representation, and stronger legal protections for employees involved in industrial action.