ET1 Employment Tribunal Claim Form Completion Guide

The ET1 form is the official claim form used to start Employment Tribunal proceedings in England and Wales. It is completed by an individual (the claimant) who believes their employment rights have been breached, for example in cases involving unfair dismissal, discrimination, unpaid wages, redundancy disputes, or whistleblowing detriment.

Submitting a correctly completed ET1 is essential because it sets out the legal and factual basis of the claim. It also determines whether the Tribunal accepts jurisdiction and whether the claim proceeds to a hearing.

The ET1 must comply with strict procedural requirements, including time limits and ACAS Early Conciliation rules. Errors or omissions can lead to rejection or limitation of the claim.

What the ET1 Form Is

The ET1 is the Employment Tribunal Claim Form used to:

• Start a claim in the Employment Tribunal
• Set out the legal basis of the complaint
• Identify the respondent (employer or organisation)
• Provide factual details of the dispute
• Confirm compliance with ACAS Early Conciliation
• Specify remedies sought (such as compensation or reinstatement)

Once submitted, the ET1 is served on the respondent, who must then file an ET3 response form.

Time Limits for Submitting an ET1

Standard limitation period

Most Employment Tribunal claims must be submitted within:

• Three months less one day from the date of the act complained of

Examples include:

• Date of dismissal (unfair dismissal claims)
• Last discriminatory act (discrimination claims)
• Date of unpaid wages or deduction

Extension due to ACAS Early Conciliation

Time limits are paused while ACAS Early Conciliation is ongoing. The limitation period is extended by:

• The duration of Early Conciliation
• Plus an additional period after the certificate is issued

Importance of deadlines

Missing the deadline may result in:

• Automatic rejection of the claim
• Requirement to argue “just and equitable” extension (in discrimination cases)
• Loss of legal rights in many cases

ACAS Early Conciliation Requirement

Before submitting an ET1, most claimants must notify ACAS and obtain an Early Conciliation Certificate number.

The ET1 requires:

• ACAS certificate number
• Confirmation of Early Conciliation completion
• Dates of conciliation period

Without this, the Tribunal will usually reject the claim.

Structure of the ET1 Form

The ET1 is divided into structured sections designed to capture all relevant legal and factual information.

1. Claimant details

This includes:

• Full name
• Address
• Contact details
• Employment status

2. Respondent details

The claimant must correctly identify:

• Employer name (legal entity, not just trading name)
• Registered address
• Company number (if known)

Incorrect naming can complicate enforcement or lead to jurisdictional issues.

3. Type of claim

The ET1 requires selection of claim types, such as:

• Unfair dismissal
• Constructive dismissal
• Discrimination (Equality Act 2010 claims)
• Unlawful deduction of wages
• Breach of contract (limited jurisdiction)
• Whistleblowing detriment or dismissal

Multiple claims can be included if relevant.

4. Grounds of complaint (core narrative)

This section is the most important part of the ET1.

It must set out:

• What happened
• When it happened
• Who was involved
• Why the claimant believes it was unlawful
• How the treatment breached employment rights

The narrative should be:

• Chronological
• Factual
• Clear and concise
• Focused on legal issues

Example structure:

• Employment background
• Key events leading to dispute
• Formal actions (disciplinary, dismissal, grievance outcome)
• Explanation of alleged legal breach

5. Discrimination details (if applicable)

For discrimination claims, the ET1 must specify:

• Protected characteristic (e.g. sex, race, disability, age)
• Nature of discriminatory treatment
• Comparators (if relevant)
• Harassment or victimisation details
• Ongoing or repeated conduct

Discrimination claims often rely on patterns of behaviour rather than single incidents.

6. Remedy sought

The claimant must state what they are asking the Tribunal to award, such as:

• Compensation for financial loss
• Injury to feelings (discrimination claims)
• Reinstatement or re-engagement
• Payment of unpaid wages
• Interest on sums owed

The Tribunal ultimately decides the final award, but the ET1 sets expectations.

7. Employment details

The form requires employment background information, including:

• Job title
• Start and end dates
• Pay details
• Working hours
• Employer structure

This information helps establish jurisdiction and calculate potential compensation.

Submitting the ET1 Form

The ET1 can be submitted:

• Online via the Employment Tribunal digital system (most common)
• By post (less common)

Once submitted:

• The Tribunal reviews the claim for completeness
• The claim is served on the respondent
• An ET case number is issued
• The respondent must file an ET3 response within 28 days

Common Mistakes in ET1 Completion

1. Incorrect respondent name

Naming the wrong legal entity can lead to enforcement problems if the claim succeeds.

2. Missing ACAS certificate number

This can result in rejection of the claim.

3. Out-of-time claims

Late submissions may be struck out unless time can be extended.

4. Lack of detail in the grounds of complaint

Vague descriptions reduce clarity and may weaken the claim.

5. Including legal argument instead of facts

The ET1 should focus on facts, not legal submissions.

Importance of Clarity in the ET1

The ET1 sets the foundation of the entire case. It is used by:

• The Tribunal to identify issues
• The respondent to prepare a defence
• Witnesses to structure evidence
• Judges to manage case directions

Poorly drafted claims can limit the scope of the case or lead to procedural disadvantages.

After Submitting the ET1

Once the ET1 is accepted:

• The Tribunal sends it to the respondent
• The respondent files an ET3 response
• Case management directions are issued
• Disclosure and witness statement stages begin
• A hearing date may be set

The case then progresses through structured tribunal procedures.

Settlement After Filing an ET1

Even after submission, claims can be resolved through:

• ACAS conciliation
• Settlement agreements
• Without prejudice negotiations
• Judicial mediation (in some cases)

Settlement may result in withdrawal of the claim.

Practical Steps Before Completing an ET1

A structured approach includes:

• Identifying the legal claim type
• Checking limitation periods carefully
• Completing ACAS Early Conciliation
• Gathering employment documents
• Preparing a clear timeline of events
• Identifying relevant witnesses
• Ensuring correct employer details
• Drafting a factual narrative before submission

Key Risks in ET1 Claims

Failure to complete the ET1 correctly may result in:

• Claim rejection
• Loss of legal rights due to limitation periods
• Reduced compensation due to poorly framed claims
• Jurisdictional challenges from the respondent
• Procedural delays or complications

Final Thoughts

The ET1 Employment Tribunal Claim Form is the foundation of Employment Tribunal proceedings in England and Wales. It sets out the claimant's legal case, identifies the respondent, and establishes the issues the Tribunal will consider.

Accuracy, clarity, and compliance with procedural rules are essential. The form must be completed within strict time limits, supported by ACAS Early Conciliation, and structured around clear factual detail rather than legal argument.

A well-prepared ET1 ensures that the claim is properly presented and can proceed through the Employment Tribunal system without avoidable procedural issues.