Time limits

A claim for unfair dismissal must be issued in the employment tribunal (ET) no later than three months (less one day) from the effective date of dismissal (EDT – see page 273).

The first step in all claims (except a claim for interim relief — see page 277) is to submit a completed Acas Early Conciliation (EC) form (see page 367). This mandatory step must be taken within the ET time limit. Once Acas receive an employee’s early conciliation notification, the limitation date gets extended by a standard six weeks so there is enough time for early conciliation to take place, with a possible extension of a further two weeks. For information on bringing an employment tribunal (ET) claim, including how to calculate the three-month period and complete an Acas EC, see Chapter 16.

There is no upper or lower age limit on the right to claim unfair dismissal.