Make a facts sheet before opening the form
Put your employment dates, job title, pay information and employer details on one page. Compare the employer name on the contract, payslip and dismissal correspondence. A trading name and a legal entity may differ. Do not resolve a mismatch by choosing whichever looks familiar. Record the uncertainty and check it before submitting. Also gather any Acas early conciliation certificate and relevant reference details.
Separate the facts from your conclusions
Draft a short chronology privately. Next to each event, write why it matters to the claim you are considering. Replace labels such as “they treated me illegally” with the action, date, person involved and the reason you say it supports the claim. Keep the key allegations clear enough to understand without opening your whole document collection. More detail is not automatically a better claim.
An example of a clearer factual note
A vague note says: “The manager was unfair all the time.” A factual note might say: “On 14 May, I received an invitation to a meeting about the incident of 9 May. I asked for the incident report on 15 May. The report was sent after the meeting.” These invented dates show a writing method only. Your actual dates and allegations must come from your own records.
Check the current form and deadline
The official ET1 page was updated on 1 October 2026. Do not rely on an old downloaded copy or a third-party form that may be out of date. Time limits, early conciliation requirements and exceptions need separate attention. Preparing a draft, pursuing an internal appeal or buying a book does not submit your claim. If the deadline is close, seek timely advice rather than waiting to perfect the wording.
Review as a reader who knows nothing about the dispute
Read the draft without your emails beside it. Can a reader identify the respondent, the events complained of and what you are asking the tribunal to decide? Check names, dates, reference numbers and contact details twice. Keep a copy of exactly what you submit and the acknowledgement. Record the next action and who needs to take it.
Choose the right next resource
The official form and its guidance are the starting point. The Employment Tribunal book is intended for readers who want a longer route through the overall process. Check its sample for the detail you need, and use the current official material for rules that have changed after the edition’s publication.
Sources & scope
Checked on 8 October 2026. Follow your tribunal’s directions and jurisdiction-specific rules. Examples on this page are fictional and illustrate preparation methods, not legal outcomes.
Edition notes and current-rule checks · General information, not individual legal advice.