The legal position
As at 20 September 2026, Acas describes a forthcoming increase in employment-tribunal time limits to six months from 1 October 2026, with a separate 9 November date for breach-of-contract claims in Scotland. Most current claims use a shorter period, commonly three months minus one day. The claim type, relevant event, transitional rules and early conciliation can affect the calculation. Never assume a future extension rescues an existing deadline.
Source and attribution [1]Using it in practice
Record relevant dates immediately when a dispute arises and seek case-specific advice promptly. Keep internal appeal and grievance timetables separate from the legal deadline. Direct people to the correct official information and avoid giving a confident date from an unverified template. Update case-management prompts only after checking the applicable commencement and transition rules.
An example, not a reported case
Worked example · illustrative
An employee is awaiting a grievance response near the end of September. A manager says the coming six-month limit means there is plenty of time. That is an unsafe assumption. The practical response is to identify the possible claim and event dates and obtain current advice immediately, while the internal process continues. The two processes should not be confused.
What to watch for
This article deliberately does not calculate an individual deadline. Some remedies have very short limits, and an internal process does not automatically preserve tribunal rights.
Take it into your next conversation
Three useful questions.
- What is the possible claim and relevant event?
- Which transitional rule applies?
- Has prompt specialist advice been obtained?
Go to the evidence
Sources & attribution
[1] Acas. Employment Rights Act 2025: tribunal time-limit changes. ↗
Official guidance supports the legal overview. Application notes and examples are original editorial material, not individual legal advice. Check the linked source for changes and the full qualifications.
Published 2026-09-20 · Reviewed 2026-09-20. Editorial approach