Make a claim to an employment tribunal

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Make a claim

You can make a claim:

  • for yourself, as the only person claiming
  • for yourself and others who’ve been treated in the same way
  • for someone else, if you’re acting as their representative

You usually have to make a claim to the tribunal within 3 months of your employment ending or the problem happening.

You’ll usually need an early conciliation certificate for each respondent before you make a claim. You can get these from Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).

If you have a disability or health condition that could affect you taking part in a hearing, you can let the tribunal know you’ll need reasonable adjustments. Tell the tribunal if you need adjustments when you make your claim or at any time during the claim process.

You should also read the guidance for whistleblowing if it relates to your claim.

What it costs

You do not have to pay a fee to make a claim to an employment tribunal.

You may have to pay other costs, for example:

  • witness expenses
  • the costs of the people or organisations you’re claiming against (the ‘respondents’) if the tribunal decides you’ve acted unreasonably

Make a claim online

Before you start, you’ll need:

  • the names and addresses of all the people making the claim (the ‘claimants’)
  • the names and addresses of the respondents - you can find this in your job offer letter, your employment contract or your payslips
  • your Acas early conciliation certificate numbers

Claim online

If you’ve already started a claim

You can return to an existing claim to continue your application or view your submitted applications.

Make a claim by post

You can also download and fill in a claim form.

Send your completed form to one of the following addresses, depending on where you were working.

Employment tribunal central office (England and Wales)
PO Box 10218
Leicester
LE1 8EG

Employment tribunal central office (Scotland)
PO Box 27105
Glasgow
G2 9JR

If you need help applying

Who you contact depends on the type of help you need.

If you’re having technical issues or need guidance about how to claim

Call the employment tribunal customer contact centre.

England or Wales employment tribunal customer contact centre
Telephone: 0300 323 0196
Welsh language: 0300 303 5176
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0300 323 0196
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Scotland employment tribunal customer contact centre
Telephone: 0300 790 6234
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0300 790 6234
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

If you do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it

We Are Group
[email protected]
Telephone: 03300 160 051
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Closed on bank holidays
Text FORM to 60777 and someone will call you back
Find out about call charges

View a printable version of the whole guide