Unfair Dismissal Solicitors
Dismissed without a fair reason or proper process? You may have a claim.
Most employees with 2 years' service cannot be dismissed without a fair reason and a fair procedure. If your employer failed either test, you can apply to an employment tribunal. Compensation can reach £115,115. The deadline is 3 months less one day from dismissal.
What You Need to Know
The rules your employer must follow before dismissing you.
Unfair dismissal is not just about whether your employer had a reason — it is also about whether they followed the right process. Both matter at a tribunal.
2-year qualifying period
Standard unfair dismissal protection applies after 2 years' continuous service. However, some dismissals are automatically unfair from day one — including whistleblowing, pregnancy, and asserting a statutory right.
Five potentially fair reasons
Your employer must show the reason was capability, conduct, redundancy, a statutory restriction, or some other substantial reason. Any other reason — or no reason given — is automatically unfair.
Fair procedure required
Even with a fair reason, dismissal can still be unfair if your employer failed to follow a reasonable procedure — no warning, no investigation, no right of appeal, or a predetermined outcome.
Compensation structure
A basic award (based on age and service, up to £21,000) plus a compensatory award for your actual losses (up to £115,115). Contributory fault and failure to mitigate can reduce these amounts.
Constructive dismissal counts
If you were forced to resign because your employer breached your contract — for example by demoting you, cutting pay, or ignoring a serious grievance — this is constructive dismissal and is treated as unfair dismissal.
ACAS Early Conciliation first
Before issuing a tribunal claim you must notify ACAS and go through Early Conciliation. This pause the time limit. Many cases settle at this stage without a hearing.