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Make a claim to an employment tribunal
If an employer treated you unlawfully, for example unfair dismissal, discrimination or unpaid wages, you can claim at an employment tribunal. You must contact the conciliation service first. Northern Ireland has industrial tribunals.
Official links
Show links for:
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK: make a claim to an employment tribunal www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals | England, Wales, Scotland |
| nidirect: employment related tribunals www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/employment-related-tribunals | Northern Ireland |
| nidirect: early conciliation www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/early-conciliation | Northern Ireland |
Step by step
- Try to solve the problem at work first, for example through your employer's grievance procedure.
- Check the time limit: in England, Wales and Scotland you usually have 6 months from the end of your job or the problem. In Northern Ireland it is 3 or 6 months depending on the claim.
- Tell Acas (or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland) that you plan to claim. They offer free early conciliation, and the time limit is paused while it runs.
- If there is no agreement, you get an early conciliation certificate. Use it to make your claim to the tribunal.
What you need
- Your early conciliation certificate number (one for each employer or person you claim against)
- Your employment details: dates, pay and contract
- Evidence such as letters, emails, payslips and grievance records
Common mistakes
- Missing the time limit. Notify the conciliation service in time so the clock stops.
- Going straight to the tribunal without the early conciliation step, unless you are exempt.
- Using the Great Britain service when you work in Northern Ireland, where claims go to the industrial tribunals.