This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Step‑by‑step guide to submitting a claim to an Employment Tribunal in England and Wales, covering Early Conciliation with Acas, time limits, completing the ET1 form, submission methods, what happens next, and practical tips for claimants.
An Employment Tribunal is an independent judicial body in England and Wales that hears workplace disputes between employees or workers and employers. Claims can cover issues such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, wage disputes, redundancy rights, whistleblowing, and other statutory employment rights. Understanding how to submit a claim correctly is essential to protect your legal rights and avoid missing strict deadlines. This article explains the process in clear, accessible language, outlining each step from pre‑claim requirements through to submission and what happens next.
Step 1: Consider Resolution Before Claiming
Before initiating a tribunal claim, it is generally advisable to try to resolve the problem informally with your employer. This can include:
- Raising the issue with your manager or HR department.
- Using your employer's grievance procedure.
- Appealing a disciplinary or dismissal decision you believe to be unfair.
Attempting internal resolution does not extend the statutory deadline for making a tribunal claim, but it may help resolve the matter without litigation.
Step 2: Notify Acas (Early Conciliation) – Mandatory First Step
Before submitting most tribunal claims, you must notify the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) that you intend to make a claim. This triggers Early Conciliation, a free service designed to help parties resolve disputes without going to tribunal.
What You Need to Do
- Submit notification to Acas online or by phone using the official early conciliation form.
- Acas will contact you to discuss your dispute and offer the Early Conciliation process.
- The conciliation period can last up to 12 weeks for notifications made on or after 1 December 2025.
- You may choose not to engage in conciliation and can ask Acas to issue a certificate.
Once Early Conciliation ends (either by agreement or refusal to engage), Acas will issue an early conciliation certificate. This certificate is required to submit most claims to the tribunal.
Exception: Certain claims or circumstances are exempt from the Acas requirement, but it is usually safer to notify Acas first if you are unsure.
Step 3: Understand Tribunal Time Limits
Tribunal claims are subject to strict time limits:
- Most claims must be submitted within three months minus one day from the date of the act you are complaining about (for example, the date of dismissal or discriminatory treatment).
- The period spent in Early Conciliation pauses the time limit (“stops the clock”) and the one‑month claim period begins from the date on your early conciliation certificate.
Failing to lodge the claim within the applicable deadline can result in your claim being struck out unless the tribunal exercises discretion to extend time in exceptional circumstances.
Step 4: Complete the Claim Form (ET1)
The official tribunal claim form is known as ET1. You can submit your claim online via the GOV.UK service or by post using the prescribed paper form.
Information Required
When filling in the ET1 you will normally need to provide:
- Your details (claimant): full name, address and contact information.
- Respondent details: the name and address of your employer or the person/organisation you are claiming against.
- Acas early conciliation certificate number for each respondent.
- Details of your claim: clear description of the breach of rights, dates, key facts, and legal basis (for example unfair dismissal, discrimination, unpaid wages, etc.).
Submission Options
- Online: quickest and most efficient method with automatic routing to the correct tribunal office.
- By post: send to the Employment Tribunal central office for England and Wales.
- In person: hand delivery to a tribunal office is also permitted.
Once submitted, the tribunal should provide a receipt confirming the claim has been lodged.
Step 5: What Happens After Submission
Once your ET1 is accepted:
- Service on Respondent: The tribunal will send the claim to your employer (respondent), who must then file a response (ET3) within their deadline.
- Conciliation Offers: A new or continuing Acas conciliator may approach both parties to seek settlement.
- Pre‑hearing Steps: The tribunal may list your case for case management discussions, directions, and preparation of evidence before any hearing.
- Hearing: If the matter does not settle, a hearing will be scheduled where both parties present evidence.
Tribunals can issue remedies including compensation for financial loss, injury to feelings in discrimination cases, and, in some unfair dismissal cases, reinstatement or re‑engagement.
Practical Tips for Claimants
- Be specific and factual: Outline key dates, events and legal wrongs clearly in your ET1.
- Keep records: Maintain copies of correspondence, grievance letters, contracts, payslips and any evidence supporting your claim.
- Consider representation: You may pursue your claim as a litigant in person or instruct a solicitor or representative to assist with drafting and strategy.
- Check time limits carefully: Missing deadlines is one of the most common procedural hurdles and may jeopardise your claim.
Common Questions
Do I need to pay to make a tribunal claim?
No tribunal fees are payable to submit an ET1 or to pursue a claim, but there may be associated costs such as witness expenses or legal representation.
Can I claim for multiple issues?
Yes. You can combine different causes of action (for example, unfair dismissal and discrimination) on a single ET1 provided the facts and time limits align.
What if my claim is late?
If your claim is submitted after the statutory deadline, the tribunal has discretion to extend time in limited circumstances, but you must explain and justify the delay.
Final Thoughts
Submitting a claim to an Employment Tribunal is a structured process that starts with Early Conciliation through Acas, followed by preparation and submission of the ET1 claim form within strict time limits. Claimants should provide accurate details, adhere to deadlines, and make use of free services such as Acas to explore settlement opportunities before or after filing. Understanding each stage helps protect your legal rights and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome when disputes cannot be resolved informally.
