What the 6-month tribunal time limit means for SMEs (and how to protect yourself)

The change in one line

From 1 October 2026, most employment tribunal claim time limits are expected to increase from 3 months to 6 months.

Why this changes how you manage people issues

A longer time limit means:

·      disputes can reappear later

·      managers’ memories fade

·      evidence gets lost

·      inconsistent handling becomes easier to challenge

The SME “defensive admin” that actually helps

1) Build a simple case file

For any contentious issue, keep:

·      timeline of events

·      meeting notes

·      key emails/letters

·      evidence used

·      decision and reasons

2) Standardise your templates

Use the same structure for:

·      performance plans

·      sickness meetings

·      disciplinary invites/outcomes

·      grievance acknowledgements/outcomes

3) Don’t skip the basics

Most claims become messy because:

·      the investigation was rushed

·      the employee wasn’t given a fair chance to respond

·      decisions were made before the meeting

Where AI helps

·      turning messy notes into a clean timeline

·      drafting consistent letters

·      creating checklists for managers

Where you should slow down

If there’s any hint of:

·      discrimination/harassment

·      whistleblowing

·      pregnancy/maternity

·      a threat of tribunal …get specialist support.

Helpful links

·      ACAS Employment Rights Act 2025 timeline: https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-rights-act-2025

·      ACAS discipline and grievance: https://www.acas.org.uk/disciplinary-and-grievance-procedures

Need more help?

Want to sense-check your process before it escalates? Use Phronesis to map the safest next steps and keep an audit trail.