The precise process will depend on the claim, but a typical Employment Tribunal case may involve:

1. Initial advice – assessing the circumstances, potential claims, evidence and likely remedies.
2. ACAS Early Conciliation – you will normally need to notify ACAS before bringing your claim. This also provides an opportunity to explore settlement.
3. ET1 claim – if the matter is not resolved, the claim is submitted to the Employment Tribunal.
4. ET3 response – your employer is given an opportunity to formally respond to the claim.
5. Preliminary hearings and case management – the Tribunal may hold hearings and issue directions setting out how the case should be prepared.
6. Schedule of loss – details of the compensation or other financial remedies being sought are prepared.
7. Disclosure – relevant documents are exchanged between the parties.
8. Witness statements – written evidence is prepared and exchanged.
9. Final hearing preparation – the hearing bundle, chronology, list of issues and other necessary documents are finalised.
10. Final hearing – the Tribunal hears the evidence and determines the claim.

Settlement can be explored throughout the process and many cases conclude without requiring a final hearing.

There is no fixed timescale because this will depend on the type and complexity of the claim, the number of hearing days required, Tribunal availability and whether the parties reach a settlement.

As a guide, Employment Tribunal cases often run for a minimum of 12 months and potentially considerably longer.

More complex claims, including discrimination or whistleblowing cases, may require additional preliminary hearings, larger volumes of evidence and longer final hearings, which can extend the process further.

Strict time limits apply.

For problems occurring before 1 October 2026, the time limit for many Employment Tribunal claims is usually three months less one day from the relevant event, although different limits can apply to particular claims.

For relevant events occurring on or after 1 October 2026, the time limit for the majority of Employment Tribunal claims increases to six months.

You will normally also need to notify ACAS before bringing a claim, and the Early Conciliation process can affect how the deadline is calculated.

Because calculating Tribunal deadlines can be complex, we recommend seeking advice as soon as possible rather than relying on the general time limits above.

Yes. Settlement can be explored at any stage, including during ACAS Early Conciliation and after Tribunal proceedings have started.

Whether settlement is appropriate will depend on the strength and value of your claim, your objectives, the employer’s position and the costs and risks of continuing proceedings.

We can negotiate on your behalf and help you assess whether a proposed settlement represents an appropriate outcome when compared with continuing to a final hearing.

The cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the amount of work required.

As a general guide, our legal fees for unfair or wrongful dismissal cases typically range from £5,000 to £25,000 plus VAT, with simpler cases at the lower end of that range and complex cases requiring significantly more work.

Counsel’s fees and other costs may also apply. Before you decide how to proceed, we will discuss the likely cost of your particular matter and the potential value and outcome of the claim so that you can consider whether litigation is proportionate.