[UK] Regulations completing extended Employment Tribunal time limit reforms approved

In the UK, statutory instruments that complete the implementation of the extended Employment Tribunal time limits introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025 have been approved by both Houses of Parliament, Lexology reports.

The draft Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 and the draft Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026 will come into force on October 1, 2026. 

The Regulations reportedly amend time limits across Great Britain. The accompanying Order makes consequential amendments to the Employment Tribunal's extension of jurisdiction in England and Wales.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 extended the limitation period for most statutory Employment Tribunal claims from three months to six months;  a significant procedural change. Schedule 12 to the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduced the technical amendments needed to enable this extension.

The reform aimed to provide individuals with additional time to understand their legal position, obtain advice, and engage in pre-claim processes before deciding whether to commence tribunal proceedings.

Despite the breadth of the reforms, the UK Government subsequently stated that a number of claims, particularly those created by secondary legislation, had not been included in Schedule 12 of the Act. Meaning they were subject to the previous three-month limitation period.

The newly approved draft regulations reportedly address this: extending the six-month limitation period to the remaining claims omitted from Schedule 12, including breach of contract claims, ensuring greater consistency across the Employment Tribunal system.

From October 1, 2026, employers will reportedly face a longer period during which certain Employment Tribunal claims may be brought. Claims previously subject to a three-month limitation period can now remain live for up to six months.

Source: Lexology

In the UK, statutory instruments that complete the implementation of the extended Employment Tribunal time limits introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025 have been approved by both Houses of Parliament, Lexology reports.

The draft Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 and the draft Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment) Order 2026 will come into force on October 1, 2026. 

The Regulations reportedly amend time limits across Great Britain. The accompanying Order makes consequential amendments to the Employment Tribunal's extension of jurisdiction in England and Wales.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 extended the limitation period for most statutory Employment Tribunal claims from three months to six months;  a significant procedural change. Schedule 12 to the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduced the technical amendments needed to enable this extension.

The reform aimed to provide individuals with additional time to understand their legal position, obtain advice, and engage in pre-claim processes before deciding whether to commence tribunal proceedings.

Despite the breadth of the reforms, the UK Government subsequently stated that a number of claims, particularly those created by secondary legislation, had not been included in Schedule 12 of the Act. Meaning they were subject to the previous three-month limitation period.

The newly approved draft regulations reportedly address this: extending the six-month limitation period to the remaining claims omitted from Schedule 12, including breach of contract claims, ensuring greater consistency across the Employment Tribunal system.

From October 1, 2026, employers will reportedly face a longer period during which certain Employment Tribunal claims may be brought. Claims previously subject to a three-month limitation period can now remain live for up to six months.

Source: Lexology