Time limit for Employment Tribunal claims

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In most cases, you have 3 months minus 1 day from the date of:

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• dismissal,

• the last act of discrimination,

• the last underpayment,

• or the event you are complaining about,

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to submit a claim to the Employment Tribunal.

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ACAS Early Conciliation – mandatory first step

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You must notify ACAS before submitting a Tribunal claim.

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New rules from 1 December 2025 – ACAS lasts up to 12 weeks

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Early Conciliation can now last up to 12 weeks, giving more time for settlement discussions.

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How the “stop‑the‑clock” rule works

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• The limitation period pauses when you notify ACAS.

• It resumes once ACAS issues your certificate.

• You always have at least 1 month after receiving the certificate to submit your claim.

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How long do Tribunal cases take? (realistically)

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Due to severe backlogs, cases now typically take:

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• 12–24 months to reach a final hearing,

• discrimination cases often take longer,

• simple cases may conclude sooner, but delays are common.

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How I can help

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• representation on a no‑win‑no‑fee or hourly basis,

• one‑off hourly advice,

• calculating deadlines,

• preparing ACAS submissions,

• drafting ET1 claims,

• negotiating settlements.

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If you are considering a claim, contact me as soon as possible — deadlines are strict and easy to miscalculate.