Last year, the most expensive discrimination payout came from a disability case, where the employer was ordered to pay £730,000 to the claimant. Sex discrimination was the second biggest payout, with a £440,000 award. The 56% rise in tribunals year-on-year has lead to employers becoming increasingly nervous about how much they might be forced to pay if they lost their case at tribunal.

Below are the maximum and average tribunal payout in discrimination cases.