ACAS Early Conciliation and Tribunal Time Limits
How ACAS Early Conciliation fits before an ET1, how the current 3 months minus 1 day deadline works, and what to organise before drafting.
What ACAS Early Conciliation does
ACAS Early Conciliation is the step that usually comes before an Employment Tribunal claim. You notify ACAS, ACAS contacts the parties, and ACAS may try to help resolve the dispute before an ET1 is filed. If the case does not settle, ACAS issues an Early Conciliation certificate.
For ET1 preparation, the certificate matters because the online tribunal form asks for the certificate number. It also matters for time-limit calculations. Keep the date you notified ACAS, the date the certificate was issued, and the certificate number together in one place.
The current headline deadline
As of June 2026, the practical rule for most claims is still 3 months minus 1 day. For dismissal claims, the date normally starts from the employment end date. For discrimination or pay disputes, it usually starts from the act or underpayment complained about. Some claims have different limits.
The Employment Rights Act implementation timetable says Employment Tribunal time-limit reforms will take effect no earlier than October 2026. Until a new commencement date applies to your claim, draft on the basis that the current shorter deadline may still control.
Information to collect before drafting
- Your full name, address, and contact details as they will appear on the ET1.
- The employer legal name, trading name, address, and Companies House number if available.
- The ACAS certificate number, notification date, and certificate date.
- The event date or last deduction date that starts the limitation clock.
- A short chronology of what happened, with documents attached to each date.
- The claim types you intend to tick on the ET1, if you have decided that yourself or with advice.
- The outcome sought: compensation, arrears, reinstatement, re-engagement, declaration, or another remedy.
Common drafting mistakes
- Using the ACAS date as a substitute for the event date.
- Forgetting that different claims in one ET1 can have different limitation issues.
- Writing a long grievance history without identifying the legal act complained about.
- Leaving out the respondent's correct legal identity.
- Submitting particulars that do not match the claim boxes ticked on the ET1.
How TribunalKit uses this information
TribunalKit does not decide whether your claim is in time. It asks for the dates, certificate number, and event chronology so the draft can flag deadline-sensitive facts for your review. The goal is a source-linked draft that makes the key dates visible before you submit anything.
If you are close to a deadline, do not wait for a polished narrative. Check ACAS and HMCTS guidance, consider urgent independent advice, and preserve the filing window.
See also: TribunalKit legal disclaimer.
FAQ
Do I need ACAS Early Conciliation before an ET1?+
In most Employment Tribunal claims, you must notify ACAS before presenting an ET1. Some claims are exempt, but TribunalKit does not decide exemption status for you.
What is the current standard time limit?+
As of June 2026, most Employment Tribunal claims still use a 3 months minus 1 day time limit. Some claims have different limits, so check the specific claim type.
Does ACAS stop the clock?+
The limitation calculation can be extended by the ACAS Early Conciliation period. The exact date calculation matters, so keep the notification date, certificate date, and certificate number.
Can TribunalKit file my ACAS form or ET1?+
No. TribunalKit prepares draft documents and information checklists. You remain responsible for notifying ACAS, reviewing the draft, and submitting the ET1 to HMCTS.