Tribunals total doubles as workers pursue rightsThe number of applications to employment tribunals has more than doubled in the past ten years - and this rise shows no signs of slowing down, according to figures published this week.The number of applications to tribunals rose by 14% to 118,400 last year, and have increased by 167% since 1990, when there were 44,377 applications, according to research by employment consultancy Peninsula.

Matthew Howse, a partner at City firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, said he was 'not surprised' by the figures.

'Generally, people are more aware of their employment rights than ever before,' he said.

He highlighted as reasons for the increase the raising of the maximum compensation level to 50,000, the reduction of the qualifying period for unfair dismissal from two to one years, and the introduction of increased rights for part-time employees.

Richard Hegarty, chairman of the Law Society's employment committee and partner at Hegarty & Co, agreed that the recent changes in employment law would 'obviously have had an effect on the number of tribunals'.

He said, however, that the system was coping.

'I have had many dealings with the department that processes the tribunals, and although they are obviously aware of the increased number, they are - perhaps surprisingly - coping well.' Mr Hegarty expressed doubt that these figures would have an impact on the government's long-awaited decision on whether to extend legal aid to employment tribunals.

'I would like to see legal aid become widely available for tribunals,' he said.

'But realistically I think only limited cases - such as discrimination tribunals - will become eligible.'l From 1 February, the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal rises to 51,700 and a 'week's pay' for a basic award or redundancy payment rises 10 to 240.

Victoria MacCallum