What happens to the ET1 Claim Form?

Firstly, the tribunal office checks the Form ET1. The form will be rejected if:

• you have not used Form ET1;

• there is no tribunal fee or completed remission form;

• there is no Acas Early Conciliation Certificate reference number;

• information is missing, for example, the name and address of the employer;

• the tribunal has no power to consider it;

• the claim is in a form that “cannot sensibly be responded to or is otherwise an abuse of the process” (rule 12). This is a new rule.

Claimants have a right to ask for reconsideration of a decision to reject the claim within 14 days.

Assuming the Form ET1 is not rejected, a copy is sent to the employer who is invited to respond by completing a Response Form known as Form ET3. A copy also goes to Acas, who owe a continuing duty to offer free conciliation services throughout the life of the claim.