Tribunals Service reports 104,000 employment claims and appeals since its launch in 2006

The Tribunals Service has reported 104,000 employment claims and appeals since its launch 15 months ago.

The agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) formed in April 2006. It reported 570,000 tribunal cases during 2006-07, of which 254,000 were appeals against social security and child support decisions, while 166,000 were claims appealing asylum and immigration rulings.

According to Tribunals Service's annual report, the waiting times for hearings in these three largest areas were reduced in 2006-07. Eight in 10 employment tribunal cases had their first hearing within 26 weeks, against a target of 75%, a slight improvement from the previous year.

Peter Handcock, chief executive of the Tribunals Service, said: "These are considerable achievements for an organisation in its first year. They reflect our determination to realise the potential benefits of reform for both taxpayer and tribunal user alike."

Conciliation service Acas revealed that its website attracted 2.7 million visitors seeking good practice guidance last year.

Its 2006-07 annual report also showed a decline in the number of claims to employment tribunals with 84,039 cases compared to 109,712 in 2005-06.

Rita Donaghy, Acas chair, said: "The introduction of the new age discrimination legislation was just one highlight where we delivered our high-quality services to help employers and employees with the world of work. Our message is prevention is better than cure."