Employment Tribunal Claim UK: Process & Timeline

Overview

An employment tribunal is an independent judicial body that hears disputes between workers and employers across England, Wales and Scotland. Unlike the county court or High Court, tribunals are designed to be more accessible, with less formal procedures and judges who specialise in employment law.

Claims typically cover issues such as unfair dismissal, redundancy payments, discrimination on protected grounds, unlawful deductions from wages, breach of contract on termination, and whistleblowing detriment. Before a claim can be filed with the tribunal, the claimant must first notify ACAS and go through the Early Conciliation process, which is a free service aimed at settling the dispute without litigation.

If that does not produce an agreement, ACAS issues a certificate containing a unique reference number, which is required to submit the ET1 claim form. Strict time limits apply, usually three months less one day from the act complained of, though this can be extended in limited circumstances.

Getting the procedural basics right matters: a claim filed late or without a valid ACAS number is unlikely to proceed.

Key steps

1. Raise the issue internally first. Before anything reaches a tribunal, most workplace disputes are expected to go through the employer's own grievance or appeal procedures. Speaking directly to a manager, HR, or following the written grievance process can sometimes resolve matters, and tribunals may take a dim view of a failure to engage with internal processes.
2. Notify ACAS and begin Early Conciliation. Contacting ACAS is a mandatory step before lodging a claim. You can do this online through the Early Conciliation notification form, or by phone. ACAS will assign a conciliator who will speak with both sides to see whether a settlement can be reached within the statutory conciliation window, which typically lasts up to six weeks.
3. Obtain the Early Conciliation certificate. If conciliation does not resolve the dispute, ACAS issues a certificate with a unique reference number. You cannot submit a tribunal claim without this number. Keep it safe, as it must be entered on the ET1 form, and check the dates carefully because they affect when your claim deadline falls.
4. Submit the ET1 claim form to the tribunal. The ET1 is the form used to start a claim. You can file it online via the gov.uk tribunal service or post it to the central office. You need to set out the facts clearly, identify the respondent accurately, and specify which legal claims you are bringing. Incomplete or unclear claims can be rejected or delayed.
5. Respond to case management and prepare for the hearing. Once the respondent files an ET3 response, the tribunal issues directions covering disclosure of documents, witness statements, bundles and sometimes a preliminary hearing. The final hearing is where evidence is given and a judgment is issued. The whole process often takes around 26 to 30 weeks, although complex cases can take considerably longer.

Common questions