Employment Tribunal & Workplace Dispute Preparation

Employment tribunal chronology and evidence preparation

A persuasive employment case file does more than list events. It connects each disputed issue to a dated document, witness or decision. Start with the ET1 or ET3 where proceedings have begun, the tribunal's orders, the relevant employment documents and the applicable deadlines. Where the dispute is still internal, preserve the disciplinary or grievance invitation, allegations, outcome letter, policies and appeal correspondence.

Turn a document pile into a usable chronology

Record the event date, what happened, who was involved, the document reference and whether the account is agreed or disputed. Separate contemporaneous records from later recollections. An issue matrix can then show which emails, meeting notes, payroll records, policies or witness accounts support or contradict each proposition. This also exposes gaps that should be addressed before a bundle is finalised.

Keep procedure and limitation separate

Internal grievances and negotiations do not automatically stop employment tribunal time limits. ACAS early conciliation and the applicable claim type can affect calculations; a claimant should check the correct limitation position promptly rather than rely on a generic date. Tribunal orders on disclosure, witness statements and hearing bundles must be checked independently.

What to send for an assessment

The claim or allegation, employment contract, relevant policies, chronology if available, key correspondence, outcome letters, tribunal directions and the next deadline. We can prepare an indexed chronology, evidence schedule and document map, subject to an agreed scope.

Official guidance: GOV.UK employment tribunals and ACAS early conciliation.

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