State-of-the-art London tribunal centre aims to reduce mounting case delays
The UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre will open in London at the end of February, marking a significant expansion of hearing capacity as ministers seek to reduce delays across England and Wales.
Announced on 16 February 2026 by HM Courts & Tribunals Service, the Ministry of Justice and Sarah Sackman KC MP, the new centre is designed to address rising demand for tribunal hearings in the capital.
The facility will hear a wide range of disputes that affect people’s day-to-day lives, including employment, social security and child support cases. The first in-person hearings, focused on employment tribunals, will begin at the start of March.
The centre opens against the backdrop of a backlog of more than 66,310 tribunal cases. Officials say the new capacity will help relieve pressure on local services and improve access to justice for individuals across England and Wales.
Sarah Sackman KC, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, said the Government inherited a justice system facing significant challenges, including rising backlogs and deteriorating court buildings. She described the new tribunal centre as a turning point and part of a wider effort to modernise the estate, recruit more judges and restore access to justice.
Located in central London, the state-of-the-art hub will house 30 hearing rooms and 40 judicial chambers. It is designed to support up to 60 judges. The flexible layout will allow different types of cases to be accommodated efficiently, enabling more hearings to take place.
The new hearing rooms are equipped with modern technology and are fully wheelchair accessible. The building has also been designed with energy efficiency in mind, with the aim of creating a greener and more sustainable tribunal environment.
The opening forms part of a broader programme to reform the tribunal estate. The Government has committed £148.5 million to repair and modernise courts and tribunal buildings across England and Wales. Alongside infrastructure investment, ministers plan to recruit up to 1,000 new judges and tribunal members to increase capacity and reduce waiting times.
The new London tribunal centre is positioned as a central element of the Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to tackle delays and strengthen the delivery of justice services nationwide.