Can I take my employer to a tribunal?
Yes — you can bring a claim, but most must start within 3 months less one day, and you must contact ACAS first. The basis is the Employment Rights Act 1996 and Equality Act 2010. The general time limit is 3 months less one day from the act complained of (for example a dismissal on 10 January gives a deadline of 9 April). Before lodging, ACAS Early Conciliation is a mandatory first step — you need an EC certificate or the claim is rejected — and the clock "stops" while conciliation runs (up to 12 weeks). You can claim for unfair dismissal, discrimination, unlawful deductions from wages, redundancy pay and whistleblowing. Remedies include compensation, reinstatement or re-engagement; discrimination awards are uncapped. Tribunals are free — fees were abolished in 2017. In short: yes, but mind the 3-month limit.
📋 The rules
- General limit: 3 months less one day from the act
- ACAS Early Conciliation is a mandatory first step
- The clock stops during conciliation (up to 12 weeks)
- Claim unfair dismissal, discrimination, wages, redundancy
- Tribunals are free — fees abolished in 2017
🔓 Exceptions
- Redundancy pay and equal pay have a 6-month limit
- Extensions: 'not reasonably practicable' (dismissal) or 'just and equitable' (discrimination)
- From late 2026 (not yet in force) most limits extend to 6 months
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no fee to claim — it's been £0 since 2017 (the Supreme Court struck fees down), confirmed for 2026. What's at stake are the remedies: for unfair dismissal in Great Britain (2026), a basic award up to £22,530 and a compensatory award up to £123,543 (or 52 weeks' pay if lower); discrimination awards are uncapped and include injury to feelings (2026 bands roughly £1,300 to £62,900); a breach-of-contract claim in the tribunal is capped at £25,000. Miss the 3-months-less-a-day limit and your claim is usually time-barred. Beware a myth: "I have to pay a fee to take my employer to tribunal" is false — claims have been free since 2017 and remain free in 2026. To claim: contact ACAS for Early Conciliation straight away, watch the deadline, then lodge online via GOV.UK.
📎 Official sources
- ACAS — employment tribunal time limits →
- ACAS — Early Conciliation →
- GOV.UK — make a claim to an employment tribunal →
❓ Frequently asked
How long do I have to make a tribunal claim?
For most claims, including unfair dismissal and discrimination, the time limit is three months less one day from the act you're complaining about, such as the date of dismissal. So a dismissal on 10 January gives a deadline of 9 April. Some claims, like statutory redundancy pay and equal pay, have a six-month limit instead.
Do I have to contact ACAS first?
Yes. For almost all claims, ACAS Early Conciliation is a mandatory first step. You must notify ACAS and obtain an Early Conciliation certificate before you can lodge a claim, or it will be rejected. Conciliation is free and aims to resolve the dispute without a hearing. The time limit pauses while it's ongoing.
Is there a fee to go to an employment tribunal?
No. Employment tribunal claims have been free since 2017, when the Supreme Court ruled the previous fees unlawful. A proposal to introduce a small issue fee was floated but dropped, and tribunals remain free to access in 2026. So you can bring a claim without paying an issue or hearing fee.
What can I claim for?
You can claim for unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment or victimisation, unlawful deductions from wages, statutory redundancy pay, breach of contract on termination, and whistleblowing detriment, among others. Remedies include compensation, and for dismissal, reinstatement or re-engagement. Discrimination compensation is uncapped and can include an award for injury to feelings.
How much could I be awarded?
It depends on the claim. For unfair dismissal in 2026, the basic award is up to £22,530 and the compensatory award up to £123,543, or 52 weeks' pay if lower. Discrimination awards are uncapped and include injury to feelings, with bands running into the tens of thousands. A tribunal breach-of-contract claim is capped at £25,000.
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