Describe your situation as serving or reserve Armed Forces personnel and get instant plain English guidance on the Service Complaints process and your Employment Tribunal options. Verified against GOV.UK and Equality Act 2010.
↓ Try the Checker NowIf you're serving or reserve UK Armed Forces personnel and want to bring most Employment Tribunal claims, you must first raise a Service Complaint and not withdraw it. The tribunal time limit for armed forces discrimination and harassment claims is 6 months — longer than the standard 3-months-less-a-day for most employment claims.
Don't wait for your Service Complaint to conclude before filing at tribunal — the 6-month clock runs regardless, and your claim can be paused pending the Service Complaint outcome. The Armed Forces are exempt from age and disability discrimination claims, but other protected characteristics remain claimable.
Key areas covered: Service Complaints process, Employment Tribunal time limits, discrimination claim eligibility. Verified against the Equality Act 2010 and JSP 831.
A Service Complaint should set out a clear, factual account of what happened, when, and who was involved — vague or general statements about unfair treatment are far harder for the chain of command to investigate properly than a specific, dated account. Include any previous informal attempts to resolve the matter, and be clear about what outcome you're seeking, whether that's an apology, a review of a decision, or a change in how a situation is being handled.
If your Service Complaint is not upheld, you generally have the right to appeal to the next level in the chain, and ultimately to refer the matter to the independent Service Complaints Ombudsman if you remain dissatisfied with either the outcome or the fairness of the process itself. This appeal route sits alongside, not instead of, your separate right to bring an Employment Tribunal claim within the 6-month time limit.
Reservists mobilised for service have additional protections around civilian employment, including the right to reinstatement in their previous role once mobilisation ends, under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985. If a dispute involves your civilian employer rather than the military chain of command, this is a separate legal framework from the Service Complaints process described above.
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Describe your situation as serving or reserve Armed Forces personnel and we'll check your options
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Do I have to raise a Service Complaint before going to an Employment Tribunal?
Yes. If you are a serving or reserve member of the UK Armed Forces and want to bring most Employment Tribunal claims, you must first raise a Service Complaint and must not withdraw it or fail to progress it properly.
What is the time limit to bring an Employment Tribunal claim as armed forces personnel?
The time limit for armed forces discrimination, victimisation and harassment claims is 6 months from the incident, longer than the standard 3-months-less-a-day limit for most employment claims.
Should I wait for my Service Complaint to finish before starting a tribunal claim?
No. You should not wait for the Service Complaint to conclude before filing at tribunal. The 6-month time limit runs regardless of Service Complaint progress, and your tribunal claim can be stayed pending the outcome.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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