Courts Service Report 2024

The Courts Service has recently published their 2024 Annual Report. Our Employment Law & Benefits team reviews the report and provides key takeaways for employers.

What you need to know

• Categories of cases– The cases brought to the civil courts in 2024 concerned: unfair dismissal, payment of wages, adoption leave, parental leave, and the organisation of working time.
• Employment dismissal cases – The total number of incoming dismissal cases at High Court level in 2024 was less than 2023 figures. The number of incoming dismissal cases at Circuit Court level remained the same. The number of High Court dismissal cases that were resolved was the same in 2024 as in 2023. The number of Circuit Court dismissal cases resolved has decreased for the same period.
• Employment (Other) cases – There were more incoming “Employment (Other)” cases in 2024 at High Court level than in 2023. There were fewer incoming “Employment (Other) cases" at Circuit Court level in 2024 than in 2023. There was a significant decrease in Circuit Court cases resolved either by the court or out of court in 2024 compared to 2023. The figure for the resolution of High Court cases remained consistent.
• WRC figures- The number of cases heard by the Workplace Relations Commission last year was significantly, although predictably, higher than in the civil courts.
• Modernisation- The Courts Service promotes transparency and modernisation in its Annual Report for 2024.

The Courts Service has published its annual report for 2024. The report includes an overview of the type and number of employment cases dealt with by the civil courts last year.

Key findings

1. Type of cases

The categories of cases dealt with by the civil courts last year include the enforcement of and appeals relating to decisions of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) brought under legislative provisions concerning:

• Unfair dismissal
• Payment of wages
• Adoption leave
• Parental leave
• Organisation of working time

2. Dismissal cases

According to the report, there was only one incoming High Court dismissal case in 2024 and eight Circuit Court cases. Two incoming High Court dismissal cases and eight Circuit Court cases were recorded in 2023.

No High Court dismissal cases were resolved in 2024 or in 2023. Three Circuit Court cases were resolved by the court and none were settled out of court in 2024. These Circuit Court figures compare less favourably to 2023, which saw 10 cases resolved by the courts and one settled out of court. These figures are represented in the following table:

3. Other employment cases

The Courts Service reported 10 incoming employment cases to the High Court in 2024, concerning matters other than dismissal. It reported 18 Circuit Court cases for the same period. These figures represent an increase on 2023 High Court figures and a decrease on 2023 Circuit Court figures. There has been a significant decrease in Circuit Court cases resolved either by the court or out of court, in 2024, compared to 2023 Circuit Court figures. These figures are represented in the following table:

4. Comparison with WRC

The conservative numbers reported in the Courts Service report may be compared with those recorded in the Workplace Relations Commission 2024 Annual Report, published earlier this year. It indicated an 18% increase in the total number of complaint applications made to it in 2024, amounting to 7,316 complaint applications. A 5% increase in individual complaints was also seen, amounting to 14,890 individual complaints. The most frequent grounds for complaints were:

• Pay (27%)
• Unfair dismissals (15%)
• Discrimination, equality and equal status (14%)
• Working Time and Terms of Employment (9%)

The WRC reports a 6% increase in the number of adjudication hearings offered in 2024 as compared to 2023, with an average of 180 hearings per week.

5. Modernisation

The Courts Service Annual Report generally emphasises its push for modernisation and improved efficiency. This reflects a broader trend towards greater accountability and transparency in legal processes.

Key takeaways for employers

• The report's findings suggest that the vast majority of employment disputes are resolved at earlier stages, primarily through the WRC or Labour Court.
• The Courts Service statistics show more activity in the “Employment (Other)” category than the” Employment (Dismissal)” category. The former encompasses a broader range of issues and employers should be reminded of the need to be equally diligent across all areas of employment law.
• Employers should mirror the Courts Service’s push for modernisation by having clear, well-documented internal processes for all employment matters from recruitment to termination to withstand scrutiny if a dispute arises.

For further information and specific advice regarding employment litigation, contact a member of our Employment Law & Benefits team.

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other advice.