If your employer has failed to make reasonable adjustments, discriminated against you, or treated you unlawfully because of your disability, you may have the right to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal.
The Tribunal is an independent judicial body that hears employment disputes. It can make findings of unlawful discrimination, award compensation, and make recommendations. It is not a quick or simple process – but for many disabled workers it is the only route to accountability and remedy.
This section explains the stages involved, from the mandatory first step before you can issue a claim through to preparing for a hearing.
Before you start: time limits
Employment Tribunal claims for disability discrimination must be brought within three months, less one day, of the act you are complaining about.
This time limit is strict and starts running from the events themselves, not from when you raised a grievance, not from when you decided to take action, and not from when you got advice. Missing it can end your claim entirely.
If you are anywhere near the three-month point, treat this as urgent. The first thing you must do is notify ACAS, which pauses the clock while Early Conciliation is ongoing. Do not wait.
The stages of a Tribunal claim
ACAS Early Conciliation
Before you can submit a claim to the Tribunal, you must notify ACAS and go through Early Conciliation. This is a legal requirement — there is no way around it. An ACAS conciliator will try to help you and your employer reach a settlement. If that doesn’t happen, ACAS issues a certificate that you need to submit your claim.
This is the first step. Start here.
Writing your claim: the ET1
Your ET1 form is your statement of case, it is the document that sets out what happened, what your employer did wrong, and what you are asking the Tribunal to decide. Getting this right from the start matters. A clear, well-structured ET1 makes your case easier to run and harder for your employer to mischaracterise.
This page explains what claims you may have, how to structure your particulars of claim, what to include and what to leave out, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Case management: hearings and orders
Most claims go through a case management process before the final hearing — preliminary hearings, disclosure of documents, exchange of witness statements, and preparation of the hearing bundle. The Tribunal will issue orders setting out what each party must do and by when.
This page explains what to expect, how to comply with orders, and how to ask the Tribunal for adjustments if your disability affects your ability to participate in the process.
Settlement at any stage
Many Tribunal claims are resolved by settlement before — or during — proceedings. Settlement can happen through ACAS at the Early Conciliation stage, directly between the parties at any point, or at the door of the Tribunal on the day of the hearing.
Representing yourself
You do not need a lawyer to bring a Tribunal claim. Many claimants represent themselves, and the Tribunal is accustomed to litigants in person.
That said, Tribunal proceedings are procedurally and legally complex, and the gap between a represented and unrepresented party is real. Having support — from a union representative, a McKenzie Friend, or a qualified employment lawyer — makes a significant difference in most cases.
DWU members can access advice and representation support through DWU.
If you are not yet a member, join DWU to access support.
This section provides legal information, not legal advice. It reflects the law in England, Scotland, and Wales.