Six-Month Employment Tribunal Time Limit: What Employers Need to Know

From 1 October 2026, most employment tribunal claims can be brought up to six months after the event complained of, instead of three. This guide explains what has changed, which claims it applies to and what employers should do now.

General information only, not legal advice. Check the latest GOV.UK guidance and take advice on your own situation.

What has changed?

The Employment Rights Act 2025 extends the time limit for bringing most employment tribunal claims from three months to six months. It applies to unfair dismissal, discrimination and other core statutory claims.

Before the change, most claims had to be brought within three months less one day of the event complained of, for example a dismissal. A small number of claims, such as equal pay and statutory redundancy payment claims, already had a six-month limit.

Which claims does the six-month limit apply to?

The new limit applies where the event complained of happens on or after 1 October 2026. Events that happened wholly before that date keep the old three-month limit.

For example, an employee dismissed on 15 September 2026 is still subject to the three-month limit. An employee dismissed on 15 November 2026 has six months.

Some types of claim, such as breach of contract, are being changed through separate regulations and may follow different dates and rules, so check each claim type separately.

What about ongoing conduct?

If a claimant argues that there was a continuing course of conduct, for example a series of discriminatory acts, the six months can run from the end of that period. This can bring earlier events into scope, including events from before 1 October 2026. Keep records for the whole period, not just the final incident.

How does this work with Acas early conciliation?

Nothing changes in how the two interact. Before most claims can be started, the claimant must notify Acas. The time limit is paused between Day A (Acas receives the notification) and Day B (Acas issues the certificate). If the limit would have run out during conciliation, or within one month after Day B, the claimant gets until one month after Day B.

Early conciliation itself can now last up to 12 weeks for notifications made on or after 1 December 2025. See our guide to how long Acas early conciliation takes and our guide to Acas early conciliation for employers.

What does this mean for employers?

Claims can arrive later. A claim that would previously have been out of time at month four or five may now be valid. Do not assume a former employee has missed the deadline.

Keep records longer. Hold dismissal files, emails, investigation notes and meeting records for at least six months after the event, and longer where a claim is possible.

Check witness availability. Managers and colleagues involved in a decision may leave the business within six months. Note who was involved and keep their statements while memories are fresh.

Diary the dates. For every dismissal, grievance outcome or disciplinary decision, record the date and the date six months later.

Respond to claims properly. A longer time limit does not change your response deadline. If a claim has been served, the ET3 is normally due 28 days from the date the tribunal sent it. See our guide to the ET3 response deadline and what to do if you receive an ET1 claim.

Review exit processes. Make sure your dismissal, redundancy and settlement procedures are documented and consistent, because they may be tested months later.

What should you do next?

Check which of your recent dismissals and disputes fall before and after 1 October 2026. If any former employee could now bring a claim, review the file and consider taking advice before they do.

Frequently asked questions

Is the time limit now six months for every tribunal claim?

For most claims, yes, where the event complained of is on or after 1 October 2026. Some claim types follow separate rules, so check the specific claim.

Does the six-month limit apply to dismissals before 1 October 2026?

No. Events that happened wholly before that date keep the old three-month limit.

Does a longer time limit extend the ET3 deadline?

No. The ET3 response deadline runs from the date the tribunal sent you the claim and is normally 28 days.

Does early conciliation still pause the time limit?

Yes. The clock is paused between Day A and Day B, and the claimant gets at least one month after Day B if the limit would otherwise expire.