Do I have to file an ET1 straight away once I get my certificate?

No, but you do need to file within your new deadline — the remaining time from before you contacted ACAS, or one month from the certificate date, whichever is longer. You can use that window to think it over, gather evidence, or try to settle informally; you just can't let the window close.

What if I lose or can't find my EC certificate number?

ACAS can reissue confirmation of your certificate details if you contact them directly. Do this as early as possible if you can't locate the reference, since the tribunal will not accept an ET1 without it and chasing it down close to your deadline adds unnecessary risk.

Can I still settle with my employer after conciliation has ended?

Yes. Nothing stops you and your employer reaching a settlement directly, or going back to ACAS for further conciliation, even after a certificate has been issued and even after an ET1 has been filed. A case can settle at any stage up until a tribunal actually decides it.

Can I add a claim type I didn't mention when I contacted ACAS?

Generally, a claim needs to have been the subject of early conciliation before you bring it to tribunal, with limited exceptions for claims that arise directly out of the same facts. If you think you have an additional claim you didn't raise with ACAS, check this carefully rather than assuming it can simply be added to the ET1 later.

What if my employer went into the conciliation but is now refusing to engage at all?

That's exactly the situation early conciliation ending without an agreement covers. It doesn't affect your right to file — the certificate is issued regardless of why conciliation didn't produce a settlement, whether that's a genuine disagreement, a refusal to negotiate, or simply running out of time.

Is there a fee to file the ET1 or to have a hearing?

No. Employment tribunal fees were abolished in 2017 following a Supreme Court ruling and have not been reintroduced. Filing an ET1 and having your case heard both remain free.

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