Postponement Letter

How to request a delay to your tribunal hearing

What is a postponement letter in tribunal?

A postponement letter is a formal request to delay your employment tribunal hearing to a later date. You send it to the tribunal before your scheduled hearing date, explaining why you cannot attend on that date and requesting a new date. The tribunal then decides whether to grant the postponement.

When can I request a postponement?

You can request a postponement for any reason that makes it impracticable to attend on the scheduled date: illness or disability, caring responsibilities, bereavement, important work or personal commitments, lack of time to prepare, or witness unavailability. The reason must be genuine and significant enough to justify delay.

How much notice should I give?

Give as much notice as possible, ideally weeks or months before the hearing. If you contact the tribunal the week of your hearing, they are far less likely to grant postponement because it disrupts their schedule and the other party's preparation. Emergency postponements (illness discovered the day before) are possible but less favorably received.

Who do I send the postponement letter to?

Send it to the tribunal office where your case is registered. The address is on your tribunal documents. You should also copy the employer (or their representative) so they know about your request. Send it via email or post, and keep evidence it was received (email delivery confirmation or Royal Mail tracking).

What should the letter contain?

Your case number, your name, the original hearing date, the date you want instead (or a range of dates if you do not have a specific alternative), a clear explanation of why you need postponement, any supporting evidence (medical certificate, death certificate, work commitment letter), and a request for confirmation of the new date.

Will the tribunal automatically grant my postponement request?

No. The tribunal considers whether postponement is justified in the interests of justice. Factors include: how close to the hearing you applied, how much disruption it causes, whether the reason is genuine and significant, and the impact on both parties. Early applications with good reasons are usually granted. Last-minute requests are often refused unless there is a genuine emergency.

Can the employer object to my postponement request?

Yes, the employer can object. They may argue the reason is not genuine, the delay is unnecessary, or they are ready to proceed. The tribunal will consider both sides' positions. However, if you have a genuinely serious reason (illness with medical evidence), the tribunal is unlikely to force you to attend.

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Employment Rights Act 1996

GOV.UK Employment Tribunals