Step 1: ACAS Early Conciliation (Mandatory)

Before you can lodge an employment tribunal claim, you must first contact ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) and enter early conciliation. This is a free service where ACAS attempts to help you and your employer reach an agreement without going to tribunal. You cannot skip this step.

Time Limit

You must contact ACAS within 3 months less one day of the event you are complaining about (e.g. date of dismissal). Early conciliation pauses this clock.

Step 2: Lodging Your Claim (ET1 Form)

If early conciliation is unsuccessful, ACAS issues a certificate and you can lodge your claim using the ET1 form on the Employment Tribunal online service. The ET1 sets out your claim, the relevant facts, and the remedy you are seeking. It must be accurate and comprehensive — mistakes are difficult to correct later.

Step 3: The Respondent's Response (ET3 Form)

Your employer (the respondent) has 28 days from receiving the claim to submit their ET3 response form, setting out their defence. You will receive a copy. This is the first point at which you will see the full scope of what your employer disputes.

Preliminary Hearings

Many cases involve one or more preliminary hearings before the main hearing. These deal with procedural matters — whether your claim has reasonable prospects of success, whether there are jurisdictional issues, or establishing the issues for the final hearing.

Preparation

Gather all evidence early: emails, text messages, disciplinary letters, meeting notes, payslips, and witness contact details. Evidence that cannot be retrieved later can significantly weaken a claim.

Step 4: The Final Hearing

At the final hearing, both sides present their evidence and arguments before an employment judge (and sometimes two lay members). You or your representative will give evidence, be cross-examined, and make submissions. The tribunal then deliberates and issues a judgment — sometimes on the day, sometimes in writing later.

Step 5: Remedies and Awards

If you succeed, the tribunal can award compensation (unfair dismissal awards consist of a basic award and compensatory award), order reinstatement or re-engagement, make declarations, or recommend changes to practices in discrimination cases.

Appeals

You can appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) on a point of law — not simply because you disagree with the outcome. Appeals must be lodged within 42 days of the judgment.