Submitting an ET1 claim

What is an ET1 claim form?

The ET1 form is the document you use to start your claim in the Employment Tribunal. It outlines who you are, who your employer is, and the details of your legal claim.

Can you submit an ET1 form online? Yes, the vast majority of claims are now submitted via the government's online portal.

Can you fill an ET1 form without lawyer details? Absolutely—thousands of claimants represent themselves (as a 'litigant in person') every year.

Before you file

• Confirm your ACAS certificate number and dates.
• Check the limitation date to avoid an out of time claim.
• Identify the legal name of the employer or respondent.
• Decide which claims you are bringing and why.

What the form asks for

1. 01

   Parties

   Your details and the correct legal name of the employer.

2. 02

   Employment facts

   Dates, job title, pay, and when the issue happened.

3. 03

   Claim details

   A clear summary of what happened in date order.

4. 04

   Remedy

   What you want the tribunal to award or order.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

• Missing the deadline or guessing the dates.
• Naming the wrong legal entity as the respondent.
• Writing a long narrative without a clear timeline.
• Forgetting to include the ACAS certificate number.

Common questions