Guides › Public Services › Employment Tribunal Time Limits: The 6 Month Rule From October 2026
Employment Tribunal Time Limits: The 6 Month Rule from October 2026
For problems that happened on or after 1 October 2026, most employment tribunal claims must be started within 6 months minus 1 day. For problems before that date the limit was 3 months minus 1 day. You must tell Acas within the limit; the clock pauses while Acas helps. When the clock starts depends on the claim: the end of your job for unfair dismissal, the most recent incident for discrimination, and the pay day for unpaid wages.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Time Limits
The Change
The time limit for most employment tribunal claims was extended from three months to six months minus one day on 1 October 2026. source
When the Clock Starts
For unfair dismissal, from when your employment ended. For discrimination, from the most recent incident. For unpaid wages, from the date you were paid incorrectly. source
Acas Pauses the Clock
You must tell Acas before making a claim, and the time limit is paused while Acas tries to help. source
If You Are Late
Only the Tribunal Decides
Some cases may allow longer, but only a tribunal can decide whether a claim is in time. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 1 October 2026The 6 month limit appliesTo problems on or after this date
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Write down the date the problem happened (or your last day at work).
Step 2 of 4
Use our Tribunal Deadline Checker.
Step 3 of 4
Contact Acas well before the deadline.
Step 4 of 4
Make your claim as soon as you get the certificate.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Early Conciliation
You must tell Acas before you make most tribunal claims. It is free.
Employment Tribunal (GOV.UK)
Make a claim online after early conciliation.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Do not wait for an internal appeal or grievance to finish: the clock keeps running.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- business.gov.uk/campaign/employment-changes/employee/unfair-dismissal-rights Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/employment-tribunals Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/early-conciliation/how-early-conciliation-works Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026