Independent, practical help for litigants in person in England & Wales.
Written by John Barwell
Nine months after Royal Assent, the Employment Rights Act 2025 is a half-built statute. Tribunal time limits double on 1 October 2026, but the unfair dismissal changes do not begin until January 2027 — and for dismissal the test is the date the employment ends, not the day the decision is announced. A state-of-play guide to what is in force, what is not, and how to time a claim in the overlap.
Written by John Barwell
The ET3 response is not ordinary correspondence. This article explains why a late, defective, rejected or missing response can trigger Rule 22 risks, restrict respondent participation, and require a properly evidenced extension application.
Written by John Barwell
Amending an ET1 is not a guaranteed second chance. This article explains when a proposed change is likely to be treated as clarification, relabelling, a new claim, or a risky late amendment — and why limitation, prejudice, Rule 35 and Acas can matter.
Written by John Barwell
ET1 drafting · rejected claims · Rule 14 Sending an ET1 before the deadline is not always enough. If the claim is defective, correctly rejected and only later rectified, Rule 14 may move the treated presentation date to the date the rectifying application was received. Category Tactical guidance note Jurisdiction Great Britain Reading time c. … Continue reading “Wrong ET1? Rejected Claim? The Rule 14 Deadline Trap Claimants Miss”
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.
