Stage 4 of 8
How to make a
tribunal claim
If Acas conciliation doesn't resolve your dispute, you can make a claim to the employment tribunal using form ET1.
If Acas doesn't resolve it, you can make a claim on form ET1.
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A tribunal claim is how you formally ask the employment tribunal to decide your dispute. You make it on form ET1, and for most claims you will need your Acas certificate number.
You make a claim on form ET1, using your Acas certificate number.
Route
How a claim usually starts
- Check you're ready
- Submit ET1
- Employer responds (ET3)
- Preliminary hearing
- Then: Case preparation →
Some claims settle along the way, including through Acas.
- 01
Check you're ready
- 02
Submit ET1
- 03
Employer responds (ET3)
- 04
Preliminary hearing
- 05
- 01
Check you're ready
Have your Acas certificate number, check your time limit, and be clear which claims you are making. Check your deadlines →
- 02
Complete and submit your ET1
The ET1 identifies you and your employer, and sets out the type of claim, the key facts and what you are seeking. What you include sets the scope of your case, so it helps to be clear and complete.
- 03
Your employer responds with an ET3
The tribunal sends your claim to your employer, who has 28 days to respond on form ET3, setting out their defence. This is where you see their version of events.
- 04
Preliminary hearing and case management
The tribunal may hold a preliminary hearing to clarify the issues and set a timetable for disclosure, witness statements, the hearing bundle and the final hearing. These are tribunal orders, so it is important to follow them.
Stage guidance is general information — not individual legal advice
Have your Acas certificate number, check your time limit, and be clear which claims you are making. Check your deadlines →
The ET1 identifies you and your employer, and sets out the type of claim, the key facts and what you are seeking. What you include sets the scope of your case, so it helps to be clear and complete.
The tribunal sends your claim to your employer, who has 28 days to respond on form ET3, setting out their defence. This is where you see their version of events.
The tribunal may hold a preliminary hearing to clarify the issues and set a timetable for disclosure, witness statements, the hearing bundle and the final hearing. These are tribunal orders, so it is important to follow them.
Stage guidance is general information — not individual legal advice
Most claims must be submitted within 3 months less 1 day of the act complained of (expected to extend to 6 months from October 2026). The Acas early conciliation period can extend this deadline — but the calculation depends on when you contacted Acas and when your EC certificate was issued.
Case Hub turns this stage into a checklist, from checking your dates to the preliminary hearing, and keeps your ET1, ET3 and tribunal letters in one place.
Work through each step in Case Hub.
Checklist
Your ET1 checklist
This stage
- Check you're ready
- Submit your ET1
- Read the ET3 response
- Prepare for the preliminary hearing
Keep organised
- Save letters and outcomes
- Note dates as they happen
- Track what still needs doing
- Know what stage comes next
This stage
- Check you're ready
- Submit your ET1
- Read the ET3 response
- Prepare for the preliminary hearing
Keep organised
- Save letters and outcomes
- Note dates as they happen
- Track what still needs doing
- Know what stage comes next
This stage
- Check you're ready
- Submit your ET1
- Read the ET3 response
- Prepare for the preliminary hearing
This stage
- Check you're ready
- Submit your ET1
- Read the ET3 response
- Prepare for the preliminary hearing
Work through your claim step by step
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