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: Sex discrimination claims reached 1,294 in Q3 2025/26 (October to December 2025, provisional), up 59% year-on-year. Of disposed claims (Q2 data, most recent available), 32% settled through ACAS conciliation, and 92% were resolved without a hearing. The average case now takes 34 weeks to clear.
Last updated: March 2026
If you believe you have been treated less favourably at work because of your sex, sex discrimination complaints have risen 59% in the past year, and the data from those cases can help you understand what the process actually 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. Sex discrimination is protected under the Equality Act 2010 and covers direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
How many people are in your position?
Sex discrimination is one of the most common tribunal complaints. In Q3 2025/26 (provisional), 1,294 complaints were filed.
| Quarter | Sex discrimination complaints | Share of all claims |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2024/25 (Jul–Sep 2024) | 712 | 12% |
| Q3 2024/25 (Oct–Dec 2024) | 814 | 13% |
| Q4 2024/25 (Jan–Mar 2025) | 907 | 12% |
| Q1 2025/26 (Apr–Jun 2025) | 1,090 | 12% |
| Q2 2025/26 (Jul–Sep 2025) | 1,176 | 13% |
| Q3 2025/26 (Oct–Dec 2025, p) | 1,294 | 12% |
That is a 59% increase compared to Q3 2024/25, when 814 complaints were filed. Growth has been consistent across all six quarters.
Sex discrimination claims encompass a broad range of workplace situations: unequal pay or terms compared to colleagues of a different sex, being passed over for promotion, harassment, unfavourable treatment linked to caring responsibilities, and dismissal or detriment connected to sex. Many sex discrimination claims are filed alongside unfair dismissal and harassment.
How will your case most likely end?
Q3 2025/26 disposal breakdowns are not yet published for sex discrimination specifically. The most recent complete data is Q2 2025/26, when the tribunal disposed of 465 sex discrimination complaints:
| Outcome | Percentage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| ACAS conciliated settlement | 32% | Settled through ACAS before hearing |
| Withdrawn or dismissed | 60% | Claim withdrawn or dismissed by tribunal |
| Struck out | 3% | Tribunal removed the claim |
| Unsuccessful at hearing | 1% | Full hearing, employer won |
| Successful at hearing | 0% | No claims succeeded at hearing in Q2 |
| Default judgment | 0% | Employer failed to respond |
| Other | 4% | Various procedural outcomes |
The correct hearing success rate is: successful divided by (successful + unsuccessful) = 0% ÷ (0% + 1%) = 0% of cases that reached a hearing in Q2 2025/26. This is a single quarter's data and the number fluctuates — the overall Q3 2025/26 aggregate across all claim types shows 44% of hearings were won by claimants. The 0% reflects the small number of sex discrimination cases reaching a hearing in any single quarter.
Around 92% of sex discrimination claims are resolved without a full hearing. The 32% ACAS settlement rate is one of the higher rates across all claim types.
How long will it take?
Sex discrimination cases have seen clearance times worsen:
| Percentile | Sex discrimination (Q3 2025/26) | All claims |
|---|---|---|
| 25th (fastest quarter) | 17 weeks | 16 weeks |
| Median (middle case) | 33 weeks | 28 weeks |
| 75th (slower cases) | 49 weeks | 44 weeks |
| Mean (average) | 34 weeks | 31 weeks |
The average sex discrimination case now takes 34 weeks, three weeks longer than the all-claims average. This is up from 30 weeks in Q2 2025/26, as overall system pressure increases. One in four cases takes 49 weeks or more.
The wide spread reflects two different paths. Cases that settle through ACAS tend to resolve within the first few months. Cases that proceed to a full hearing — which are the minority — take considerably longer.
What this means for you
Settlement is your most likely path to resolution. At 32%, the ACAS settlement rate for sex discrimination is one of the stronger rates across all claim types. Employers are often motivated to resolve these cases without a public hearing. Going into ACAS early conciliation with a clear, documented account of what happened strengthens your position.
92% of claims are resolved without a hearing. The small number of cases that do reach a hearing in any given quarter means single-quarter hearing success rates fluctuate significantly. The strength of your claim is better judged by the settlement potential than the headline hearing data.
Evidence of comparison matters. Sex discrimination cases often depend on showing that someone of a different sex was treated more favourably in comparable circumstances. Keep records of specific incidents — dates, names, what was said or done.
Employer duties on harassment prevention have strengthened. Since October 2024, employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment. If your claim involves sexual harassment, this duty may be directly relevant and could increase any compensation.
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 sex discrimination claims are filed each quarter?
In Q3 2025/26, 1,294 sex discrimination complaints were filed (provisional), a 59% increase year-on-year.
What percentage of sex discrimination claims succeed?
In Q2 2025/26 (most recent full breakdown), 0% succeeded at a full hearing in that quarter, but 32% settled through ACAS. Around 92% of sex discrimination claims are resolved without a hearing. The 0% hearing figure is a single-quarter result and fluctuates.
How long does a sex discrimination case take?
The mean is 34 weeks (Q3 2025/26, provisional), three weeks longer than the all-claims average. The fastest 25% clear within 17 weeks; 25% take 49 weeks or more.
What counts as sex discrimination at work?
Sex discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 covers treating someone less favourably because of their sex, applying rules that disproportionately disadvantage one sex, unwanted conduct related to sex that creates a hostile environment (harassment), and penalising someone for raising a sex discrimination complaint (victimisation).
Is equal pay the same as sex discrimination?
Equal pay and sex discrimination are related but legally distinct. Equal pay claims address differences in pay between men and women doing equal work. Sex discrimination covers broader unfavourable treatment. You can bring both types of claim.
Sources
- "Employment Tribunal Statistics, Tables ET_1_R, ET_2_R, T_3", Ministry of Justice / HM Courts & Tribunals Service, Q3 2025/26 — GOV.UK Tribunals Statistics
- Equality Act 2010, Part 5 — Equality Act 2010, Part 5
- "Sex discrimination", ACAS — ACAS: Sex Discrimination
- Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 — Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
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