Employment tribunals are designed to be accessible without legal representation. Knowing the process makes self-representation manageable for most straightforward claims.
The Tribunal Process: Step by Step
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Contact ACAS | Mandatory Early Conciliation — free; pauses time limit |
| 2. Early Conciliation | Up to 6 weeks; ACAS tries to settle the dispute |
| 3. ET1 claim form | Submit online at employment-tribunals.service.gov.uk; include EC certificate number |
| 4. Employer responds | ET3 response form within 28 days |
| 5. Preliminary hearing | Sometimes held to clarify issues, time limits, and the hearing timetable |
| 6. Exchange of documents | Both sides share evidence in advance |
| 7. Hearing | Usually 1–3 days for unfair dismissal; you present your case to a panel of 1–3 people |
| 8. Judgment | Issued at hearing or in writing afterwards; no appeal on facts |
Time Limits: Do Not Miss These
| Claim type | Time limit from dismissal/last act |
|---|---|
| Unfair dismissal | 3 months minus 1 day |
| Discrimination | 3 months minus 1 day |
| Unpaid wages / holiday pay | 3 months minus 1 day (per deduction) |
| Statutory redundancy pay | 6 months |
ACAS Early Conciliation pauses the clock while it is ongoing.
Free and Low-Cost Help
- ACAS: 0300 123 1100 — free advice and mediation
- Citizens Advice: search for your nearest office at citizensadvice.org.uk
- Law Centres: free legal advice for eligible individuals (lawcentres.org.uk)
- Trade union: if you are a member, contact your union as soon as possible
- Free Representation Unit (FRU): free advocacy at hearings (thefru.org.uk)
Free Support Available for Tribunal Claims
You do not need to pay a solicitor to bring an Employment Tribunal claim. Free or subsidised support includes:
| Source | What they offer |
|---|---|
| ACAS | Free early conciliation; helpful guides at acas.org.uk |
| Citizens Advice | Free advice on whether you have a claim |
| Trade union | Free representation if you are a member |
| Law centres | Free advice and sometimes representation for low-income claimants |
| Employment tribunals.gov.uk | Free online claim submission |
| Free initial consultation | Many solicitors offer 30-minute free consultations |
If you represent yourself:
- Prepare a detailed timeline of events with dates and witnesses
- Gather all written evidence (emails, letters, payslips, contracts)
- Use the ACAS website’s guidance on how tribunal hearings work
- Arrive early to hearings and speak slowly and clearly — judges are experienced at working with unrepresented claimants
No-win, no-fee solicitors sometimes take employment tribunal cases — usually where there is a clear breach and significant losses to recover (redundancy, discrimination).