Legal processes don’t work : or perhaps just work for solicitors?

[NamechangedforET]

I have brought a claim against my employers which is due to be heard in mid July. We are meant to be exchanging witness statements today. Their solicitors have asked to extend the deadline as they have more documents they want to disclose. They asked for a further two weeks : I suggested one week as I need time to consider their statements and prepare for the tribunal. Today they have informed me that they have more than 200 documents they want to disclose. How is that reasonable? I am a litigant in person, work full time and am disabled. How can I possibly deal with that? I have emailed the Court for advice (they gave today’s date in the Case Management Orders). Just utterly fed up : it’s impossible. How can we claim to have a fair and just legal system when it’s acceptable for solicitors to behave like this?

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate all the replies.

I do completely understand and agree with all the points you are making. Whilst at this point in time taking the settlement would remove a lot of stress - if I end up in December with no job and just 50k to live off, the stress would be even greater. I have worked there a long time, am nearly 50 so getting comparable employment may not be easy. If I was younger and/or they were offering redundancy it may be different but that's not happening. They are talking about dismissal and the sum offered is significantly less.

As you say I need to think about all the options (and hopefully get legal advice). All very scary.