The UK’s biggest dedicated tribunal centre has opened in London, dealing with day-to-day disputes and increasing access to justice in England and Wales.
Professionals at London law firm https://www.forsters.co.uk/, and others around the capital, have noted the service that will be offered by the centre in addressing backlogs in hearings. It will tackle a wide range of different cases, including those involving the armed forces, war pensions, child support, social security and employment. It is designed to help cope with growing demand in London and a wider judicial crisis.
Employment tribunal hearings
The beginning of March 2026 saw the first of the in-person hearings at the centre, focusing on employment tribunals and helping to tackle a backlog of more than 66,310 cases.
Sarah Sackman, the Minister for Courts and Legal Services said that the government had inherited an English and Welsh justice system that was in crisis, with hearing waits, crumbling buildings and soaring backlogs. She said everyday people had been the victims of ‘years of neglect’ but the new centre marked a turning point.
Amongst Europe’s biggest
The new tribunal centre is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe and forms part of government plans to restore public access to justice, recruit more judges, and modernise the estate. It is a hub of justice offering state-of-the-art technology and housing 40 judicial chambers and 30 hearing rooms, while supporting as many as 60 judges. The hearing rooms have been designed with environmental efficiency in mind and are fully wheelchair accessible.