How do I take my employer to an employment tribunal?

Deadlines you must not miss

• If the problem happened on or after 1 October 2026: you usually have 6 months to claim.
• If the problem happened before 1 October 2026: the old 3-month limit still applies.
• Unfair dismissal: the time runs from the date your job ended.
• Discrimination or pay disputes: the time runs from when the incident or dispute happened.
• Unfair dismissal with interim relief: if you apply for interim relief, you must claim within 7 days of being dismissed.

The clock stops while Acas early conciliation is running. Once you get your Acas certificate, you have at least 1 month left to make your claim.

Step by step

1. Try to sort it out at work. Raise a grievance with your employer if you can.
2. Tell Acas. You must notify Acas before you can claim. Acas offers early conciliation, a free and voluntary service to help you settle. It can take up to 12 weeks.
3. Get your certificate. If you do not settle, or either side says no to conciliation, Acas sends an early conciliation certificate. You get one for each employer or person you are claiming against.
4. Make your claim. Claim online using your certificate number. Or fill in form ET1 and post it:
   • England and Wales: PO Box 11225, Crown House, Loughborough, LE11 9PX
   • Scotland: PO Box 27105, Glasgow, G2 9JR
5. Wait for the reply. Your employer usually has 28 days to reply in writing. If they do not reply, the tribunal may decide without a hearing.
6. Prepare. There may be a preliminary hearing first, in person, by phone or by video. Both sides must share relevant documents.

What to include and gather

• your Acas certificate number for each respondent
• names and addresses of everyone you are claiming against
• your contract, payslips and pension details
• notes of meetings, emails and letters
• names of witnesses who saw what happened

Cost

There is no fee to make a claim. But you could be asked to pay costs if the tribunal decides you behaved unreasonably. You may also have to pay your own witness expenses.

Settling before the hearing

You can still settle at any stage. If you settle through Acas, Acas tells the tribunal. If you settle privately, or decide to drop the claim, you must tell the tribunal in writing.

Free help

• Acas helpline: 0300 123 1100 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
• Citizens Advice can help you understand your options.
• Your trade union or staff representative, if you have one.

If you work in Northern Ireland

Claims go to the Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal. You must contact the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) about early conciliation first. Most claims must be made within 3 months of the incident, though this can vary. There is no fee.

If you miss the deadline

A late claim may be rejected. Do not wait: contact Acas or Citizens Advice straight away to talk about your options.

Related guides

• What is Acas early conciliation?
• What can I do if I've been unfairly dismissed?
• What is whistleblowing and how am I protected?
• What is a notice period?
• How does a grievance procedure at work work?

Where this comes from

• Make a claim to an employment tribunal (GOV.UK)
• Before you make a claim (GOV.UK)
• Make a claim (GOV.UK)
• After you make a claim (GOV.UK)
• Employment tribunal time limits (business.gov.uk)
• Making a claim to an employment tribunal, T420 (HM Courts and Tribunals Service)
• Employment Rights Act 1996, section 128: interim relief (legislation.gov.uk)
• Solve a workplace dispute: help and advice (GOV.UK)
• Employment-related tribunals (nidirect)