If your employer has treated you unfairly because of a disability and the problem cannot be sorted out at work, you may be searching for ‘Disability discrimination employment tribunal.’ It is a sensible step, because understanding what the process involves before you proceed can bring significant peace of mind. The good news is that you do not have to work it out on your own.
Paul Doran Law is an employment law firm for employees alone. Our team brings more than 30 years’ combined experience of guiding people across the United Kingdom through workplace disputes, and we have recovered significant sums for clients against employers ranging from small businesses to major organisations.
When should you consider making a disability discrimination employment tribunal claim?
A disability discrimination employment tribunal claim should usually only be considered when unfair treatment cannot be resolved inside the workplace, whether through an informal conversation or a formal grievance. Many disputes are settled long before a hearing, but having a well-prepared claim, or the genuine prospect of one, is often what brings an employer to the table. We will always look at whether your case can be resolved more quickly and with less stress before any hearing is needed.
What do you need to do before making a claim?
In England, Scotland, and Wales, you normally have to notify ACAS and go through early conciliation before you can bring a disability discrimination employment tribunal claim. This is a chance to try to reach a settlement with the help of a neutral conciliator. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent body is the Labour Relations Agency, and claims are heard by an industrial tribunal rather than an employment tribunal. We will guide you through the right process for where you work and make sure the necessary steps are taken in the correct order.
How long do you have to bring a disability discrimination employment tribunal claim?
Time limits are short and strictly applied. Different deadlines and rules apply depending on where you work and whether the event occurred on or after 1 October 2026. Ask us for more details by making a free enquiry.
What can a disability discrimination employment tribunal award?
If your disability discrimination employment tribunal claim succeeds, a tribunal can award compensation for your financial losses, such as lost earnings, pension, and benefits, together with a separate award for injury to feelings, which reflects the upset and distress caused. Unlike an ordinary unfair dismissal claim, compensation for discrimination is not capped. A tribunal can also make a formal declaration that your rights were breached and recommend steps the employer should take to put things right.
Will you have to pay your employer’s costs if you lose?
This is one of the most common worries our clients raise, and it is an important one to address. Employment tribunals are different from the ordinary civil courts. As a general rule, each side pays its own costs, and it is relatively unusual for a losing party to be ordered to pay the other side’s legal costs. Costs orders are usually reserved for cases where someone has behaved unreasonably. We will always explain the risks in your particular case honestly and clearly so that you can make informed choices.
How long does it take?
Every case is different, but a tribunal claim can take several months, and sometimes longer than a year, from start to finish. That can sound daunting, but much of that time is taken up with preparation and the possibility of settlement along the way, and we handle the process for you at each stage so you are never left wondering what happens next.
How can we help?
Bringing a tribunal claim can feel intimidating, but you do not have to face it alone. We can advise you on the strength of your case, deal with your employer on your behalf, and represent you through to a hearing if that is what it takes.
We offer a free initial enquiry call during which we will find out some details about your case and explain your options before you decide whether to proceed. Wherever you are in the United Kingdom, our team will guide you through each stage.
To speak to us in confidence, call 0808 168 7288 or get in touch here.