Deadlines
Employment Tribunal deadlines
Understand the usual Employment Tribunal time limits, how ACAS Early Conciliation affects them and which dates to check before submitting an ET1.
What you need to know
Employment Tribunal deadlines are strict and depend on the claim and the event being challenged. Many claims use a starting point of three months less one day, but that is not a universal rule.
Notifying ACAS in time can pause the limitation clock during Early Conciliation. The calculation can be easy to get wrong, so work from the earliest possible deadline and verify it independently.
What to do
Step 1
Identify the event and claim
Record the dismissal date, payment date or discriminatory act and identify every possible claim because different time limits can apply.
Step 2
Calculate the unadjusted deadline
Calculate the ordinary limitation date before considering ACAS Early Conciliation, using the earliest arguable date where there is uncertainty.
Step 3
Notify ACAS promptly
Do not wait until the last day. Keep the notification date, certificate date and certificate number with your case records.
Step 4
Recalculate and verify
Apply the Early Conciliation timing rules, check whether any special rule applies and obtain advice quickly if the date is uncertain or may have passed.
Check the details
Employment tribunal process
What happens after you file: from et1 form login to tribunal claim time limit and final hearing.
ACAS Early Conciliation
Learn how the acas early conciliation process works, from filing the form to receiving your certificate.
Submitting an ET1 claim
A practical guide to filing an et1 form online, completing acas conciliation, and et1 form guidance.
Do I have a case?
A quick framework to test whether your workplace issue could become a claim.