The ACAS Early Conciliation Limitation Clock
Employment Tribunal limitation periods are the strictest in English law. You must initiate ACAS Early Conciliation within strictly 3 months less one day from the date of your dismissal.
How the 'Day A to Day B' Pause Works
Under section 207B of the Employment Rights Act 1996:
- Day A: The day you submit your notification form on the ACAS website. The limitation clock stops ticking.
- Day B: The date on which ACAS issues your Early Conciliation Certificate confirming conciliation has ended.
- The Extension: The period from the day after Day A to Day B is added to your original 3-month deadline. Additionally, you are always guaranteed at least one calendar month from Day B to submit Form ET1 to the Employment Tribunal.
Ready to prepare your Employment Tribunal claim?
The Casewright Employment Tribunal Pack (£149 flat) drafts your complete ET1 Grounds of Claim, builds an arithmetic Schedule of Loss with verified statutory caps, and organizes your hearing bundle.
If your dispute moves to court, the small claims track guide covers the procedure from issue to hearing, and when costs can be recovered.
Where a loss involves rented housing conditions, council HMO licensing enforcement records show how local authorities act against unlicensed or non-compliant houses in multiple occupation.