Acas and the employment tribunal: the step you must take before you claim

If a dispute with your employer has reached the point of considering an employment tribunal claim, you almost always have to go through Acas — the state conciliation service — first. This step is called early conciliation, it is free, and without it a claim usually will not be accepted. Here is how it works, the time limits you must meet and what changed from October 2026, based on GOV.UK and Acas.

What is Acas early conciliation?

Early conciliation is a legal process in which an Acas conciliator tries to help you and your employer reach a legal agreement so the matter need not go to a tribunal. Acas describes it as a free service. Taking part is voluntary: you and your employer each choose whether to negotiate.

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Why contact Acas before the tribunal at all?

This is not just advice — it is a condition of claiming. GOV.UK says: "You'll usually need an early conciliation certificate for each respondent before you make a claim." You later enter the certificate number when submitting a claim online — without it the form cannot be sent. Acas advises that contacting them should not be your first step: first try to resolve the problem informally, raise a formal grievance or appeal to your employer.

What is the time limit to claim?

The limits have changed. According to GOV.UK, if the problem happened on or after 1 October 2026 you usually have to make a tribunal claim within 6 months. If the problem happened before 1 October 2026, the former limit of 3 months may apply. For certain urgent cases (interim relief, such as dismissal for trade union activity or whistleblowing) the limit is a strict 7 days, and you do not need to notify Acas there.

Is the time limit paused during conciliation?

Yes. The GOV.UK page states plainly: "The time limit for making a claim is put on hold while Acas helps you resolve your dispute." So the time spent on early conciliation does not simply eat your deadline. But that is no reason to delay: you must still notify Acas within the overall limit, so it is best to start early rather than in the final days.

What will Acas not do?

The conciliator is neutral. According to GOV.UK, Acas will not represent either side, prepare your case, tell you whether you have a valid case, or give legal advice. Its job is to help the parties reach agreement, not to judge who is right. For a legal assessment you need a solicitor or a free legal advice service.

How do you notify Acas?

You notify Acas (the online "Notify Acas" form or by phone) if you are considering a tribunal claim. If negotiation does not produce an agreement, Acas issues an early conciliation certificate, and with it you can make your claim. The process is free at every stage.

All time limits and rules here come from official GOV.UK and Acas pages. In practice: do not miss the deadline (from 1 October 2026, usually 6 months) and start with Acas — without the certificate, the tribunal will not accept your claim.