Lawyers are witnessing a huge surge in unfair dismissal claims which is leading them to expand their employment teams but is also placing a severe strain on the tribunal system.

Figures released by the Tribunals Service last week showed that unfair dismissal claims rose 29% to 52,711 in the year to March 2009.

Cases relating to redundancy pay rose 48% to 10,839, while claims for failure to inform and consult over redundancy saw a massive 154% hike from 4,480 to 11,371.

The surge in cases is leading to long delays in the tribunals, with many cases waiting 12 months or more to be listed.

Audrey Williams, partner and head of discrimination law at national firm Eversheds, said: ‘The delays in getting cases to the tribunal are a double-edged sword. The longer the employee is out of work, the greater the liability to the employer.’

Clive Howard, an employment partner at national firm Russell Jones & Walker, said his department had taken on five lawyers in the last month to help meet a ‘massive increase’ in unfair dismissal and redundancy pay claims. Age discrimination claims, especially from older employees, have also increased. He added: ‘One unexpected effect of the recession is employees are recognising when they are genuinely redundant – the evidence of downturn is all around them. And so a smaller proportion compared with the good times two years ago are challenging their dismissal.’

David Green, head of employment at City firm Charles Russell, said his department had just taken on two newly qualified lawyers to meet growing demand.

  • The Law Society has made a successful complaint to the Advertising Standards Agency after a company claimed to be ‘the UK’s no.1 employment law specialist’. Peninsula Business Services said 'actioned recommendations made by the ASA', and the episode was now closed. Anthony Brooks, solicitor and head of legal services at the Law Society, said: ‘We act to protect the solicitor and Law Society brand three or four times a month.’