What changed on 1 October 2026
The Employment Rights Act 2025 extended the time limit for most employment tribunal claims from 3 months to 6 months, bringing them into line with redundancy pay and equal pay claims. The longer limit applies where the problem at work happened on or after 1 October 2026; anything before that keeps the old 3-month limit. In Scotland, the change for breach of contract claims (such as unpaid notice pay) starts on 9 November 2026.
"Less a day"
Limits run from the date of the problem, minus one day. A dismissal taking effect on 15 October 2026 has a limit of 14 April 2027; one on 15 September 2026 had a limit of 14 December 2026. Where a month has no matching day, we show the last day of that month minus one, to be safe.
Acas early conciliation comes first
Before you can make most claims, you must tell Acas, which offers free early conciliation with your employer. Doing so inside the time limit pauses the clock while conciliation runs (up to 12 weeks for notifications from 1 December 2025), and you'll always have at least a month after the certificate to make your claim.
Don't wait for an appeal
An internal appeal or grievance doesn't stop the clock. If you think you may have a claim, check your date and speak to Acas while your appeal runs.