Home » Business Employment Law Services » Employment tribunal support for employers

Stay ahead of employment tribunal claims

Employment tribunal claims demand time, evidence and clear decisions. We help employers across England and Wales take control early, understand the real risk and pursue the outcome that works best for their organisation.

From the first sign of a dispute to the final hearing, our dedicated litigation team manages the detail, keeps the strategy moving and gives you straight-talking advice at every stage.

Book a call to discuss tribunal support

People interacting through laptop and tablet screens

Already received an ET1?

Employers usually have 28 days from the date the tribunal sent the claim to submit an ET3 response.

Speak to us as soon as possible

Employment tribunal claims are rising

Your early decisions matter more than ever.

Employment tribunal pressure is growing. In 2025/26, the Employment Tribunal received around 50,000 single claims, 39% more than the previous year. The open caseload for single claims reached 64,000 by the end of March 2026, an increase of 55%.

For most claims arising on or after 1 October 2026, the time available to bring a claim will increase from three months to six months. Employers will face a longer period of uncertainty, while memories fade, people move on and documents become harder to find.

That makes early preparation more important. We secure the evidence, assess the merits and agree what a good result looks like before avoidable gaps or delays weaken your position

39%
increase in single employment tribunal claims in 2025/26 (1)

64,000
open single claims at the end of March 2026

Six-month
time limit for most claims arising on or after 1 October 2026 (2)

A tribunal strategy shaped around your priorities

Take control

1. Initial meeting and urgent dates

We understand the claim, identify immediate deadlines and agree responsibilities.

2. Evidence preservation

We secure key documents and capture early witness accounts while memories are fresh.

3. Prospects and strategy

You receive a clear assessment of the merits, risk and recommended route.

Build the defence

4. Early tactical steps

We consider costs warnings, mitigation correspondence and opportunities for early resolution.

5. ET3 response and applications

We prepare the defence and consider strike-out, deposit-order or extension applications where appropriate.

6. Case management

We manage correspondence with the tribunal, Acas and the claimant or their representative.

Strengthen the case

7. Disclosure

We guide the document search, review relevant material and keep disclosure on track.

8. Updated prospects review

We reassess the strategy as evidence develops and discuss any change in risk.

9. Bundle witness statements

We prepare the hearing bundle and develop clear, evidence-led witness statements.

Prepare and conclude

10. Witness and tribunal preparation

We help witnesses understand the process, give evidence confidently and prepare for cross-examination.

11. Counsel and the hearing

We instruct the right barrister through our relationships with preferred chambers and coordinate the case through the hearing.

12. Review and learning

We review the outcome and identify practical changes that can reduce future risk.

Every claim is different. We adapt the stages, timing and level of support to the case rather than charging you for work you do not need.

Talk us through your claim

”“Your support on this claim has been night and day compared to our previous lawyers. Wish we knew you sooner!”
Director of ER and Employment ServicesUniversity with around 5,000 employees

End-to-end employment tribunal support

Choose support for the full claim or bring us in for the stages where you need extra capacity or specialist input.

Early assessment and strategy

We review the ET1 and supporting documents, take instructions and give you a clear assessment of prospects, risk and the available commercial routes.

Acas and settlement strategy

We handle communications and negotiations, test settlement against the cost and risk of continuing, and help you make informed decisions without losing momentum.

ET3 response and case applications

We prepare the ET3 defence and deal with applications, lists of issues, schedules of loss, costs warnings and procedural points where they can strengthen your position.

Case management and disclosure

We manage deadlines and correspondence with the tribunal, Acas and the other side. We also guide disclosure and prepare the hearing bundle.

Witnesses, counsel and hearings

We capture witness evidence, draft statements, prepare your team and instruct the right barrister from our preferred chambers.

Post-case review

We turn the experience into practical learning, identifying changes to documents, processes, training or manager support that can help prevent the same issue from arising again.

Clear costs at each stage

We work on a menu-priced basis, giving you cost certainty for each agreed stage. You choose the support you need and do not pay for work you do not. Clients using our retained services also benefit from preferential rates.

Our tribunal track record

Over seven years, not a single Halborns client has paid compensation at tribunal.

Strong outcomes start long before the hearing. We assess the case early, preserve the evidence, keep the commercial strategy under review and prepare thoroughly for every stage.

No one can promise how a tribunal will decide a claim. What we can promise is clear advice, proactive case management and a strategy centred on the outcome that matters to your organisation.

Discuss your claim with our litigation team

Proactive support changes the shape of a claim

We protect the evidence early

We identify the documents and witnesses that matter before people leave, memories fade or evidence disappears.

The strategy stays live

We keep prospects, cost and commercial risk under review, then tell you when the balance shifts.

We create momentum

We consider the tactical steps that can narrow or resolve a claim, including costs warnings and procedural applications.

You receive straight-talking advice

Every important recommendation starts with the answer, followed by the reasoning and alternatives.

You keep the same core team

Your advisers build a detailed understanding of the claim, your organisation and the result you need.

Costs stay visible

Menu pricing gives you clarity and supports better decisions about where to defend, negotiate or prepare further.

Tribunal support for every size of employer

We act for employers only, supporting SMEs, growing organisations and large enterprises across England and Wales.

You might need us because:

An ET1 has arrived and you need an urgent response
Acas early conciliation has started or settlement talks have stalled
A discrimination, whistleblowing or unfair dismissal claim carries significant risk
Your internal HR or legal teams needs additional capacity
You need a fresh view of a claim already in progress
You want specialist support for disclosure, witnesses, counsel or the hearing
You manage a portfolio of claims and need a consistent approach with predictable costs

Why employers choose Halborns:

A dedicated litigation team: Employment tribunal work is handled by specialists who know how to move a claim forward.
Commercial recommendations: We defend robustly, but we will always suggest a better route when the evidence and economics point elsewhere.
Preferred counsel relationships: We match the case with the right barrister and work closely with trusted chambers.
Support that scales: We can manage one difficult claim or provide a consistent approach across a larger caseload.
Legal privilege: Advice from our employment lawyers supports candid discussions about risk, strategy and options, subject to the usual legal requirements for privilege.
Learning after the claim: We help you apply the lessons to future employee relations decisions.

Get early employee relations support

Prevention is always better than the cure.

No adviser can guarantee that an employment tribunal claim will never arise. Employees and workers can bring claims even where an employer has taken careful advice and followed a fair process.

Getting expert advice early in an employee relations issue can still make a decisive difference. It can prevent avoidable errors, improve the quality of decisions and resolve concerns before positions harden. If a claim does follow, the organisation is more likely to have a clear rationale, reliable records and a defensible process.

Direct support for your managers

Our Outsourced ER service gives your managers direct access to experienced employment law experts, helping them progress issues earlier while reducing pressure on HR. We include ‘red flag’ escalation points to ensure you have peace of mind that high-risk issues are dealt with appropriately.

Explore Outsourced ER

Expert support for your HR team

Our Intelligent Employment service gives your HR team unlimited legally privileged employment law support when they need it, helping them manage employee relations issues with greater confidence. They’ll also save time and create efficiency with unlimited access to our compliant document platform.

Explore Intelligent Employment

Trusted by employers in those difficult moments

”“Such a great result! Thanks so much for patience and persistence to get us through this one.”
Chief People OfficerCare-sector employer with around 10,000 employees

”“Thank you so much for your support. It’s been great to know you’ve been there throughout this process.”
Head of PeopleHigh-street brand with around 5,000 employees

Frequently asked questions

Do Halborns act for employees making tribunal claims?

No. We act for employers, from SMEs to enterprise organisations, defending and resolving employment tribunal claims in England and Wales.

What should an employer do after receiving an ET1 claim form?

Record the response deadline, preserve relevant documents and identify the people involved. Avoid making assumptions about the merits or contacting the claimant without a clear strategy. Employers usually have 28 days from the date the tribunal sent the claim to submit an ET3 response, so take advice quickly.

What is an ET3 response?

The ET3 is the prescribed form an employer uses to respond to an employment tribunal claim. It sets out the employer’s position and the basis on which the claim is defended. A clear response built around the evidence can shape the issues and strategy for the rest of the case.

Can Halborns manage the whole employment tribunal process?

Yes. We can support every stage, including early assessment, Acas conciliation, settlement negotiations, the ET3, case applications, disclosure, bundles, witness statements, counsel and the hearing. We also review the outcome and recommend steps to reduce future risk.

Can Halborns take over a tribunal claim that has already started?

Yes. We can take over an existing claim or support your internal team with specific stages. We will review the current position, upcoming deadlines, evidence and strategy before recommending the most useful next steps.

Will Halborns always recommend defending a claim through to a hearing?

No. We start with the outcome you want, then assess the merits, cost, management time and reputational risk. We will recommend robust defence, early settlement or another tactical route according to what offers the best overall result.

Can you guarantee that an employer will win at tribunal?

No responsible adviser can guarantee the result of litigation. Halborns focuses on the factors that can be controlled: early assessment, evidence, preparation, tactical decisions and clear commercial advice. Not a single Halborns client has paid compensation at tribunal in over seven years.

Do you provide representation at the tribunal hearing?

Yes. We have strong relationships with preferred barristers’ chambers and recommend counsel suited to the facts, complexity and strategy of the case. We prepare the claim with counsel and remain involved throughout.

How much does employment tribunal support cost?

We use menu pricing to provide cost certainty for each agreed stage. You can choose end-to-end support or instruct us only for the work you need. Clients using our retained services benefit from preferential rates. Book a call and we will explain the likely stages and pricing for your claim.

What types of employment tribunal claim can you defend?

We support employers with the full range of claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, breach of contract, unauthorised deductions from wages and complex multi-issue cases.

How long can an employment tribunal claim take?

Timescales vary according to the issues, evidence, tribunal capacity and whether the claim settles. Some cases conclude early, while complex claims can continue for a substantial period. We plan for that possibility by preserving evidence and taking early witness accounts.

Is employment tribunal advice legally privileged?

Communications with a lawyer for the purpose of giving or receiving legal advice can be protected by legal advice privilege, subject to the applicable legal tests. That protection can support candid conversations about risk and strategy. We will explain how privilege applies to your circumstances.

Will the employment tribunal claim limit increase to six months?

For most claims arising on or after 1 October 2026, the usual time limit will increase from three months to six months. Some claims already have different limits, and Acas early conciliation can affect the calculation. Employers should take advice on the facts and dates of each case.

Need help with an employment tribunal claim?

Tell us where the claim has reached and what outcome matters most. We will explain how we can help, the immediate priorities and the likely stages ahead.