AI-drafted claims are adding pressure to UK employment tribunals

AI writing tools are making it easier to file legal claims, and Britain’s employment tribunals are feeling the strain.

The Decoder reports that claims rose 39% in the year through March 2026, while the backlog increased 55% to 64,000 unresolved cases. Tribunal leaders warned that many filings drafted with tools such as ChatGPT or Grok run for hundreds of pages and include fabricated laws or unrealistic demands.

For workers, free drafting tools can lower the barrier to seeking justice. That is especially important when legal help is expensive. The downside is that courts must spend time filtering weak or confused filings, which can delay cases from people with legitimate grievances.

The issue is a practical example of AI’s uneven effect on public systems. It can improve access at the front door while shifting costs to judges, clerks, employers, and other claimants unless procedures adapt.