Independent, practical help for litigants in person in England & Wales.
Written by John Barwell
The respondent named on the ET1 is not a formatting detail. It can affect whether the claim is accepted, whether it matches the Acas certificate, whether it can be served, whether limitation is protected, and whether any judgment can be enforced.
Written by John Barwell
Interim relief is one of the most urgent Employment Tribunal remedies. In qualifying whistleblowing dismissal claims, a claimant may need to apply within seven days of the effective date of termination.
Written by John Barwell
An ET1 is not a diary, grievance bundle, appeal letter or witness statement. It is the pleaded starting point of the Employment Tribunal claim.
Written by John Barwell
Acas Early Conciliation is not just a pre-claim formality. It can pause time and produce the certificate needed for an ET1, but mistakes with certificate numbers, exemptions, respondent names or deadlines can still put a claim at risk.
Written by John Barwell
Do not assume you have six months to bring an Employment Tribunal claim. Current time limits, Acas early conciliation and interim relief still need urgent case-specific checking.
Written by John Barwell
Employment Tribunal law is changing in stages in 2026. Some rights are already in force, further reforms are expected later in the year, and ordinary unfair dismissal changes are due in 2027. This explainer sets out what workers and employers need to check now.
Written by John Barwell
Most workers do not start with an ET1. They reach employment tribunal after workplace processes, grievances, Acas early conciliation and settlement opportunities have failed. Reform must start before the tribunal door.
Written by John Barwell
A practical framework for managing high-conflict clients while protecting process integrity, professional independence, and client care standards.
Written by John Barwell
Why courts often reach outcomes that feel unfair — and what litigants in person must understand about law, evidence, and procedure in England & Wales.
Written by John Barwell
A quiet May 2025 change to the Equal Treatment Bench Book removed a written-only evidence adjustment for mental health disabilities—raising concerns about access to justice as tribunals demand increasingly “objective” medical proof for adjustments and postponements.
