This article applies to England, Wales and Scotland.
Important: This guide provides information about UK employment law. It is not legal advice. Every situation is different. If you are dealing with a workplace dispute, consider speaking to a solicitor for advice specific to your circumstances.
In brief: Race discrimination claims reached 1,544 in Q3 2025/26 (October to December 2025, provisional), up 70% year-on-year. Of disposed claims (Q2 data, most recent available), 31% settled through ACAS conciliation, and 25% of cases that reached a hearing succeeded. The average case now takes 36 weeks to clear — among the longest of any claim type.
Last updated: March 2026
If you believe you have been treated unfairly at work because of your race, ethnic origin, colour, or nationality, the number of people bringing similar claims has grown sharply. Race discrimination complaints rose 70% year-on-year, and the data from those cases can help you understand what the process looks like.
The figures in this article come from the Ministry of Justice's Employment Tribunal Statistics (Reform system data), covering Q2 2024/25 through Q3 2025/26. Race discrimination is defined under the Equality Act 2010 and covers direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
How many people are in your position?
Race discrimination is one of the most common tribunal complaints. In Q3 2025/26 (provisional), 1,544 complaints were filed.
| Quarter | Race discrimination complaints | Share of all claims |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2024/25 (Jul–Sep 2024) | 799 | 14% |
| Q3 2024/25 (Oct–Dec 2024) | 909 | 14% |
| Q4 2024/25 (Jan–Mar 2025) | 1,046 | 14% |
| Q1 2025/26 (Apr–Jun 2025) | 1,279 | 14% |
| Q2 2025/26 (Jul–Sep 2025) | 1,276 | 14% |
| Q3 2025/26 (Oct–Dec 2025, p) | 1,544 | 15% |
That is a 70% increase compared to Q3 2024/25, when 909 complaints were filed. Growth has been consistent across all six quarters.
Race discrimination claims are almost always filed alongside other complaints — most commonly unfair dismissal, harassment, and victimisation. Many claimants bring claims under multiple heads of the Equality Act 2010.
How will your case most likely end?
Q3 2025/26 disposal breakdowns are not yet published for race discrimination specifically. The most recent complete data is Q2 2025/26, when the tribunal disposed of 428 race discrimination complaints:
| Outcome | Percentage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| ACAS conciliated settlement | 31% | Settled through ACAS before hearing |
| Withdrawn or dismissed | 56% | Claim withdrawn or dismissed by tribunal |
| Struck out | 4% | Tribunal removed the claim |
| Unsuccessful at hearing | 3% | Full hearing, employer won |
| Successful at hearing | 1% | Full hearing, claimant won |
| Default judgment | 1% | Employer failed to respond |
| Other | 4% | Various procedural outcomes |
The correct hearing success rate is: successful divided by (successful + unsuccessful) = 1% ÷ (1% + 3%) = 25% of cases that reached a hearing. Around 96% of race discrimination claims are resolved without a full hearing.
As with all discrimination types, the low headline figure reflects the fact that stronger cases settle before reaching a hearing. The 31% ACAS settlement rate is among the stronger rates across all claim types.
How long will it take?
Race discrimination cases are among the slowest to resolve:
| Percentile | Race discrimination (Q3 2025/26) | All claims |
|---|---|---|
| 25th (fastest quarter) | 19 weeks | 16 weeks |
| Median (middle case) | 35 weeks | 28 weeks |
| 75th (slower cases) | 53 weeks | 44 weeks |
| Mean (average) | 36 weeks | 31 weeks |
The average race discrimination case now takes 36 weeks, five weeks longer than the all-claims average of 31 weeks — and up from 33 weeks in Q2 2025/26. The 75th percentile has reached 53 weeks, meaning one in four race discrimination cases takes over a year to resolve.
Race discrimination cases take longer because they typically involve complex evidence about patterns of behaviour, comparator analysis, and often multiple incidents over an extended period. They are more likely to require multi-day hearings.
The backlog: what is waiting ahead of you
The open caseload for race discrimination stood at 4,175 as of Q2 2025/26, up 281% year-on-year. Q3 2025/26 individual claim-type caseload data is not yet published, but the total single claims backlog has grown a further 22% in Q3 to 30,784. With race discrimination receipts up 70% year-on-year, the race discrimination backlog will have grown substantially further.
What this means for you
Settlement is your most likely path to resolution. At 31%, the ACAS settlement rate is strong. Employers are often motivated to settle race discrimination claims to avoid the reputational risk and management time of a public hearing. Going into ACAS early conciliation with a clear, documented account of what happened strengthens your position.
Read the hearing success rate correctly. 1% of all disposed race discrimination claims succeed at a hearing — but 25% of those that actually reached a hearing did so. The low headline rate reflects how rarely cases reach a hearing, not the strength of claims that get there.
Expect a longer timeline. At 36 weeks mean clearance, race discrimination cases are among the slowest in the system. The fastest 25% — those that settle early through ACAS — clear within 19 weeks. If your case is likely to go to a hearing, a timeline of 53 weeks or more is realistic for a quarter of cases.
Evidence gathering is critical and time-sensitive. Race discrimination cases turn on evidence of differential treatment. Keep records of incidents, including dates, what was said or done, who was present, and any communications. Note specific comparators — how colleagues of a different race were treated in similar situations.
Time limits still apply. You need to start ACAS early conciliation within three months minus one day of the discriminatory act. The backlog does not extend your deadline.
For guidance on your specific situation, try our free assessment. Learn more about our claims packages, or create a free account to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many race discrimination claims are filed each quarter?
In Q3 2025/26, 1,544 race discrimination complaints were filed (provisional), a 70% increase year-on-year.
What percentage of race discrimination claims succeed?
In Q2 2025/26 (most recent full breakdown), 25% of cases that reached a hearing succeeded. 31% settle through ACAS, and 96% are resolved without a hearing.
How long does a race discrimination case take?
The mean is 36 weeks (Q3 2025/26, provisional), five weeks longer than the all-claims average. The fastest 25% clear within 19 weeks; 25% take 53 weeks or more.
What counts as race discrimination under the Equality Act 2010?
Unfavourable treatment because of race — including colour, nationality, ethnic origin, and national origin. It covers direct discrimination, indirect discrimination (rules that disadvantage people of a particular race), harassment, and victimisation.
Why is the headline hearing success rate so low?
Race discrimination cases are complex to litigate, often relying on inference and comparator evidence. Strong cases tend to settle before a hearing. Of the cases that do reach a hearing, 25% are won by the claimant.
Sources
- "Employment Tribunal Statistics, Tables ET_1_R, ET_2_R, ET_4_R, T_3", Ministry of Justice / HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Q3 2025/26 — GOV.UK Tribunals Statistics
- Equality Act 2010 — Equality Act 2010
- "Race discrimination", ACAS — ACAS: Race Discrimination
Related Guides
- What Will Happen in My Disability Discrimination Case? 3,481 Claims and Growing
- What Will Happen in My Sex Discrimination Case? 92% Never Reach a Hearing
- What Will Happen in My Pregnancy Discrimination Case? Highest Settlement Rate
- What Actually Happens to Employment Tribunal Claims? The Real Outcomes
- Unfair Dismissal: Is It Worth Going to Tribunal?