Letter Before Tribunal Claim: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to final letter before submitting employment tribunal claim, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong letter before tribunal claim should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• State the nature of the claim (specify from the situation described)
• Reference the ACAS early conciliation requirement
• Set a 14-day deadline for response
• State the remedy sought

Why a final letter before claim matters

Once ACAS early conciliation has concluded, sending a final letter setting out your position before actually submitting your Employment Tribunal claim gives your employer one last clear opportunity to settle — and demonstrates to a tribunal that you approached the matter reasonably rather than rushing straight to litigation.

What to include before you send it

• A clear, final summary of your complaint and the legal basis for it
• Confirmation that ACAS early conciliation has concluded, with your certificate number
• What outcome or settlement you'd accept to avoid proceeding to tribunal
• A clear deadline before you submit your claim to the tribunal

Being realistic about settlement value

A settlement figure that's wildly unrealistic can undermine genuine negotiation, while being too quick to settle low can undervalue a strong claim. If you're unsure of realistic tribunal compensation ranges for your specific type of claim, it's worth researching comparable cases or seeking advice before finalising a figure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to send this before submitting my claim?
It's not a strict legal requirement, but it's good practice and can support a costs argument later if your employer unreasonably refused a fair settlement offer.

What if my employer doesn't respond at all?
You can proceed to submit your tribunal claim once your deadline passes, using this letter as evidence of a reasonable final attempt to resolve things.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Name of HR Manager / Contact]
[Employer's Name]
[Employer's Address]
[Postcode]
[Date]

Dear [Name],

Subject: Letter before claim – employment tribunal

I worked for [Company Name] [until [Date]]. I intend to bring an employment tribunal claim [Northern Ireland: industrial tribunal claim] for [type of claim, e.g. unfair dismissal / sex discrimination / unpaid wages] unless we can resolve this.

The issues:
• [What happened, e.g. I was dismissed on 14 September 2026 without a disciplinary hearing.]
• [Why it was unlawful, e.g. this was an unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996.]
• [The loss, e.g. I have lost two months' pay.]

Early conciliation through [Acas / the Labour Relations Agency] has concluded. My certificate number is [Certificate Number].

To settle this without a claim, I would accept:
• [e.g. a payment of £[amount] for lost earnings]
• [e.g. an agreed neutral reference]

Please reply within 14 days, by [Date], saying whether you accept these terms or want to propose others. If I do not receive a satisfactory reply by then, I will submit my claim without further notice.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]