Change legalistic culture of tribunals, says CBI

The CBI has called on the Government to embark on a programme of wholesale culture-change of the employment tribunal system.

Its proposals include strengthening the role of judges to shorten hearings by discounting irrelevant evidence, and giving the Department for Business responsibility for administering the system instead of the Ministry of Justice.

The latest Government figures show a relentless rise in the backlog of claims waiting to be heard despite lower volumes overall, and that the average claim taking around 18 months to process. The CBI says delays caused by the system are leading to poor justice for employees with valid claims, and soaring costs for businesses.

Katja Hall, CBI Chief Policy Director, said:

“The processes of the High Court do not belong in an employment tribunal, but the current system prioritises legal formalities over speedy and effective dispute resolution.

“Despite a falling number of claims, the system is still taking too long to process them, as it has been for years. This is why tribunal reform is businesses’ main priority for change in employment law.”