There has been a seven per cent increase in the number of cases going to the Employment Relations Authority over the past month.

Employment lawyer Andrew Scott-Howman says government entities have the screws placed on them for any expenditure, which is making it harder for them to justify a settlement instead of litigating to find out who is right or wrong.

Scott-Howman says as a consequence, there is extra pressure on the Employment Relations Authority and it is taking longer for cases to be heard.

He says the pressure is affecting large and small firms, the private and the public sector.

- Newstalk ZB