Employment Tribunal Time Limits: How Long Do You Have to Claim?

The usual deadline is short

Most UK employment tribunal claims must be started within usually 3 calendar months minus 1 day for relevant dates before 1 October 2026, or 6 calendar months minus 1 day for relevant dates on or after 1 October 2026 of the act you are complaining about. For dismissal claims, that usually means usually 3 calendar months minus 1 day for relevant dates before 1 October 2026, or 6 calendar months minus 1 day for relevant dates on or after 1 October 2026 from the effective date of termination. For discrimination claims, the deadline usually runs from the discriminatory act, although connected acts may sometimes be treated as a continuing course of conduct.

This is not a deadline to send a grievance, gather every document, or finish negotiations. It is the deadline for starting the formal tribunal process, and missing it can make a claim much harder or impossible to bring. If you are close to the deadline, take advice immediately and do not wait for your employer to finish an internal appeal.

How ACAS Early Conciliation affects time

Before most tribunal claims can be issued, you must notify ACAS and go through Early Conciliation. In many cases, the ACAS process pauses the limitation clock and can extend the final date for presenting the claim. The calculation is technical, so employees should keep the ACAS notification date, certificate date, and certificate number safe.

What to do now

• Write down the dismissal date or the date of the treatment you are challenging.

• Start ACAS Early Conciliation promptly if you may bring a claim.

• Do not rely on an internal appeal or informal negotiations to protect the tribunal deadline.

This guide is general information for employees in the UK and is not a substitute for advice on your specific dates and facts.