How much does an employment tribunal cost?

Is there a fee to go to an employment tribunal?

No. GOV.UK says: “You do not have to pay a fee to make a claim to an employment tribunal.” This applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Acas early conciliation, which you must go through before most claims, is also free.

Fees did exist between 2013 and 2017. They were removed after a court ruling, and GOV.UK still has a page on refunds of those old fees.

Are tribunal fees coming back?

Not on 20 October 2026.

• In January 2024, the government of the time consulted on bringing back a “modest” fee to make a claim and to appeal. The consultation closed on 25 March 2024. On 20 October 2026, the GOV.UK consultation page still says “We are analysing your feedback” and shows no outcome.
• On 8 October 2025, the Justice Secretary said in a statement, reported by the press, that it would “remain free” to bring a case to an employment tribunal. We have not found this statement on GOV.UK, nor a formal government response to the consultation.

So there is no fee today, no fee in law, and no announced date for one. The Employment Rights Act 2025 does not bring in fees. If that changes, this page will be updated.

What a claim can cost you

Even without a fee, a claim is not always free. The main costs are your own.

Cost	Who pays	Notes
Fee to claim	Nobody	No fee (GOV.UK)
Acas early conciliation	Nobody	Free service
Travel to the hearing	You	GOV.UK: “The tribunal does not pay your expenses for travelling to the hearing”
Your witnesses’ expenses	You, in principle	Can be part of a costs order in some cases
A solicitor or paid representative	You, unless insured or helped for free	Price agreed with the representative
Time off work, printing, postage	You	Keep receipts
The other side’s legal costs	Usually nobody	Only if the tribunal makes a costs order (below)

When might you pay your employer’s costs?

In an employment tribunal, each side usually pays its own costs, win or lose. GOV.UK warns that you may have to pay the other side’s costs if the tribunal decides you acted unreasonably.

The tribunal must consider a costs order if it thinks a party ET Rules 2024, r.74(2):

• acted vexatiously, abusively, disruptively or otherwise unreasonably in bringing or conducting the case;
• brought a claim or response that had no reasonable prospect of success;
• caused a hearing to be postponed by asking less than 7 days before.

It may also make one if a party breaks an order or a rule r.74(3).

Considering an order is not the same as making one. The tribunal can take into account the paying party’s ability to pay r.82. Costs can work both ways: an employer that behaves unreasonably can be ordered to pay too.

How much? The tribunal can order a specified amount up to £20,000. A larger amount is possible only through a detailed assessment, or if the parties agree r.76.

Deposit orders. If the tribunal thinks a point has little reasonable prospect of success, it can ask you to pay a deposit of up to £1,000 to keep that point going. It must first ask about your ability to pay. If you do not pay by the deadline, that point is struck out r.40.

What does a representative cost?

You can bring a claim yourself, without a representative. If you want a representative, there are several ways to pay:

• Trade union. Members can often get help with a claim. Ask your union early.
• Legal expenses insurance. Some home, car or bank account policies include it. Check your policy documents.
• Hourly or fixed fees. Agreed with the solicitor or adviser in advance.
• “No win, no fee.” In England and Wales, a damages-based agreement in an employment matter cannot take more than 35% of what you recover, including VAT DBA Regulations 2013, reg. 7.

Example. You recover £10,000 under a damages-based agreement. The representative’s payment cannot be more than 35% of £10,000, that is £3,500, VAT included. Ask for the percentage, and for any other costs you might pay, in writing before you sign.

Legal aid is usually not available for employment disputes. GOV.UK lists one exception: discrimination. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal aid rules.

Where to find free help

• Acas runs early conciliation and a helpline. It is impartial: it cannot take your side or represent you.
• Citizens Advice gives free advice on problems at work.
• Trade unions help their members.
• Law centres and free representation schemes exist in some areas, often with limited places.
• The employment tribunal customer contact centre helps with the claim process, not with your case: 0300 323 0196 in England and Wales, 0300 790 6234 in Scotland, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

This site does not represent anyone and does not give legal advice. Its calculators and preparation sheets are general tools that you use yourself.

If you win and your employer does not pay

GOV.UK lists the steps. In England and Wales, you can ask the Fair Work Agency to contact your employer. You can also use the Fast Track scheme, where a High Court Enforcement Officer demands payment: GOV.UK gives a fee of £71, added to the debt your employer owes you. Or you can go through the County Court, for £83, also added to the debt. In Scotland, you ask the tribunal office for an “extract of the judgment”, which a sheriff officer can enforce.

These steps cannot be used while your employer appeals, or within the 42 days it has to appeal.

The time limit is the cost you cannot recover

The most expensive mistake is a missed deadline. For most claims about a problem on or after 1 October 2026, you have 6 months minus 1 day, and you must contact Acas within it. Earlier problems keep the 3-month limit. The tribunal time limits guide explains how to count it, and the Acas early conciliation guide explains the first step.

A claim can also end before any hearing, through an agreement reached with Acas (a COT3) or a settlement agreement.

Northern Ireland

Claims in Northern Ireland go to an industrial tribunal, with conciliation by the Labour Relations Agency. This guide does not cover it.

What to do now

1. Check your dates, free. The time limit calculator gives the last day to contact Acas and to claim, with a free email reminder.
2. Prepare, free. The Acas preparation sheet and the ET1 preparation sheet gather your details and figures. You contact Acas and submit the form yourself.
3. Next step. If you go to a hearing, the tribunal will usually want your figures set out in a schedule of loss. Acas, Citizens Advice, a trade union or a solicitor can also help you.