Make a claim to an employment tribunal

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Before you make a claim

You can see if there’s another way to solve the problem before you make a claim to a tribunal, such as using a grievance procedure. 

Going through early conciliation with Acas

You must tell Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) that you’re planning to make a claim.

Notify Acas about making a claim to the tribunal.

You’ll be offered the chance to try and settle the dispute without going to tribunal by using Acas’s free ‘early conciliation’ service.

If early conciliation does not work or you choose not to take part, Acas will send you an early conciliation certificate. Use this when you make a claim to the tribunal. 

Once you receive your certificate, you’ll have at least one month left to make your claim.

If there’s more than one respondent, Acas will send you a certificate for each respondent.

Contact the Acas helpline if you have questions about how the early conciliation process works.

When you do not need to notify Acas

You do not have to notify Acas that you intend to make a claim if:

  • you’re making the claim with another person who’s already been through early conciliation
  • the respondent has already notified Acas - you’ll need to provide evidence of this
  • you’re only claiming for unfair dismissal and applying for interim relief as part of that claim - you’ll need to go through early conciliation for any other claims you make at the same time
  • Acas does not have the power to conciliate on some or all of your claim

If you’re unsure, notify Acas before making a claim to the tribunal.

You may want to get legal help or advice if you’re in England and Wales or in Scotland before you make your claim.

Your trade union may be able to pay for a solicitor.

You could also get free legal advice from:

If your claim is about discrimination, you may be able to:

View a printable version of the whole guide