Think you've been unfairly dismissed? Find out where you stand.

Every year, around 25,000 unfair dismissal claims reach the Employment Tribunal in the UK. Start My Claim checks your rights, calculates your potential award, and builds your entire case — from ACAS early conciliation to the ET1 claim form — for a fraction of what a solicitor charges.

What is unfair dismissal?

Unfair dismissal occurs when your employer ends your employment without a fair reason or without following a fair procedure. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996 s.98), there are five potentially fair reasons for dismissal: capability, conduct, redundancy, statutory restriction, and "some other substantial reason" (SOSR). Even if a reason is potentially fair, the dismissal can still be unfair if the employer didn't follow a reasonable procedure.

How long do you need to work somewhere to claim unfair dismissal?

Currently, you need 2 years' continuous service with the same employer (ERA 1996 s.108). This is changing: under the Employment Rights Act 2025, the qualifying period reduces to 6 months from 1 January 2027 (source: business.gov.uk — Unfair dismissal rights). Some dismissals have no qualifying period at all — whistleblowing, pregnancy/maternity, asserting a statutory right, and trade union activities are automatically unfair regardless of service length (ERA 1996 s.94).

What is the time limit for an unfair dismissal claim?

You must contact ACAS to start the early conciliation process within 3 months minus one day of your effective date of termination (EDT) (ERA 1996 s.111). ACAS early conciliation pauses — and in some cases extends — your time limit (source: acas.org.uk/early-conciliation). Only after receiving an ACAS certificate can you submit your ET1 claim form to the Employment Tribunal. This deadline is strict and very rarely extended.

How much compensation can I get for unfair dismissal?

There are two elements: (1) The basic award — calculated like statutory redundancy pay based on your age, weekly pay (capped at £751/week for 2026/27), and years of service, up to a maximum of £22,530. (2) The compensatory award — what you've actually lost, capped at the lower of one year's gross pay or £123,543 (2026/27) (source: Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026, SI 2026/310). Reductions apply for contributory fault and failure to mitigate.

What is the ACAS early conciliation process?

Before you can submit an ET1, you must notify ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) so they can attempt to resolve the dispute without a tribunal. The process pauses your time limit and typically takes up to 6 weeks. If conciliation fails, ACAS issues a certificate with a reference number you must include on your ET1. Many cases settle at this stage.

Do I need a solicitor to claim unfair dismissal?

No. A significant proportion of tribunal claimants represent themselves (MOJ Tribunal Statistics, 2024). However, the process is complex and the drafting of your ET1, witness statement, and Schedule of Loss requires precision. Start My Claim provides AI-generated case analysis, document drafting, and strategic guidance from £349 — compared to £3,000–£10,000+ for a solicitor.

Unfair Dismissal Claim — UK Employment Tribunal Guide

Complete guide to claiming unfair dismissal in the UK. Check your rights, calculate your compensation, and get AI support to build your Employment Tribunal case.

Think you've been unfairly dismissed?

Find out where you stand.

Check my rights — free →

Free rights check · No credit card · 3-month deadline tracked automatically

Your unfair dismissal rights at a glance

Continuous service required (changing to 6 months from 1 January 2027 under the Employment Rights Act 2025)

From your effective date of termination. ACAS notification must come first.

Based on age, service length, and weekly pay (capped at £751/week for 2026/27)

Compensatory award (max)

Or one year's gross pay if lower. Subject to Polkey reductions and mitigation.

Figures based on 2026/27 limits set by the

Employment Rights Act 1996

Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026

Get a personalised estimate →

How to claim unfair dismissal — step by step

Start My Claim guides you through every stage.

Start with our Rights Checker. Answer a few plain-English questions — your situation, service length, and when it happened — and get an instant assessment of whether you have a case, what laws apply, and what your claim could be worth.

Raise a grievance (if dismissed)

Before going to tribunal, raising a formal grievance protects your compensation. Under the ACAS Code of Practice, failing to follow the grievance procedure can result in a 25% reduction in any award. Start My Claim's AI drafts your grievance letter automatically.

Notify ACAS for early conciliation

You must contact ACAS before submitting an ET1. This is free and pauses your time limit for up to 6 weeks. Many cases settle here. Start My Claim's AI helps you prepare your position and any settlement counter-offers.

Submit your ET1 claim form

Your ET1 must state the grounds of your claim in legal terms, the dates and events, and the remedy you're seeking. Start My Claim's AI compiles it section by section from your case facts — no legal jargon required.

Prepare for the hearing

Build your evidence bundle, prepare your witness statement, analyse the ET3 response, and get cross-examination questions for the respondent's witnesses. Everything the tribunal expects, AI-generated.

Automatically unfair dismissal — no service requirement

Some dismissals are automatically unfair regardless of how long you've worked there — no 2-year qualifying period applies.

Start My Claim's Rights Checker identifies whether your dismissal falls into an automatically unfair category.

Check your rights free →

Unfair dismissal support — without the legal bill

Unfair dismissal — common questions

Constructive dismissal claim

When resigning counts as a dismissal and how to claim.

Unfair dismissal compensation

Calculate your basic award and compensatory award.

Employment tribunal process

Step-by-step guide from ET1 to judgment.

You have 3 months. Start today.

The 3-month deadline is unforgiving. Start My Claim tracks it automatically from day one and guides you through every step.

Check what your case is worth — free

Your claim, estimated

What could you actually be owed?

No sign-up, no card, no email. Your numbers just appear below as you type — then you decide whether to build the full case.

Start My Claim is not a law firm. All guidance is based on publicly available UK employment law and ACAS guidance.