Employment tribunal time limits: six months from October 2026.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 (section 152 and Schedule 12) extended the time limit for most employment tribunal claims from three months to six. It came into force on 1 October 2026.

It applies only where the date that starts the clock is on or after 1 October 2026. If that date was before, the old three-month limit still applies.

• Unfair dismissal: the date the employment ended.
• Discrimination: the date of the most recent incident complained of.
• Unauthorised deductions from pay: the date they weren’t paid correctly.

A few claims are much quicker. A claim for interim relief, such as for a dismissal over whistleblowing or trade union activities, must be made within 7 days of the dismissal.

Before making a claim, the person must tell Acas. Acas then offers early conciliation, which both sides can choose to take part in. The time limit is put on hold while Acas helps resolve the dispute.

Raising a problem informally with the employer first doesn’t change the time limit.

• A claim can now arrive up to six months after a dismissal or decision, plus any time in early conciliation.
• Keep the record of every disciplinary, grievance and dismissal decision complete and together: who decided, when, on what evidence, and what the person was told.
• Don’t delete a leaver’s records too soon after they go.