Filing your ET1? Don't lose the case before you've even started.
You need to file an ET1 and you have never done it before. Get it wrong and you can limit your compensation, miss a head of claim, or hand the other side an easy strike-out.
Most people only find out which mistake they made after it is too late to fix it. This walks you through it box by box, with the wording that protects your position.
Written by a qualified solicitor with 23 years of employment law experience. England and Wales. General educational information, not individual legal advice.
What you get inside.
A complete ET1 walkthrough. Section by section, with adaptable templates, common rejection traps, and the framing strategy that gets your claim accepted and your case taken seriously.
Section-by-section ET1 walkthrough.
Every box on the form, what it actually means, and what to put in it. Read alongside the form as you fill it in.
Particulars of claim. The make-or-break section.
What to include, what to leave out, and the structure that frames your case the way tribunals expect.
Adaptable word-for-word templates.
Common claim types covered. Unfair dismissal, discrimination, constructive dismissal, breach of contract. Edit and submit.
Common rejection and strike-out traps.
The drafting mistakes that get cases thrown out before they're heard. Spot them, write around them.
Time limit calculations and ACAS Early Conciliation.
How to count your deadline including the EC extension, what happens if you miss it, when the rules bend.
Worked examples showing exactly how to structure each section.
What strong particulars look like in practice. Section-by-section worked examples to model your own on.
The full table of contents.
What's covered.
- The ET1 form, section by section.
- Jurisdiction. Are you eligible to bring this claim.
- Particulars of claim. Structure and language tribunals expect.
- Common rejection reasons and how to write around them.
- Strike-out risk and how to draft to avoid it.
- Adaptable particulars templates for common claim types.
- Calculating your time limit. ACAS Early Conciliation included.
- Multiple claims in one ET1. When to combine, when to split.
- Naming the right respondent.
- Remedies. What to ask for and how to frame it.
- Worked examples showing how to structure each section.
- Pre-submission checklist.
The honest comparison.
If you're going to spend money getting this right, here's the picture. A solicitor will charge £500 + VAT for an initial consultation, then £300+ per hour to draft the ET1. This guide is the section-by-section walkthrough, templates included.
Who this is for.
If any of this is where you are right now, this is the guide for you.
- You're about to file an ET1 and you don't want bad drafting to lose you the case.
- You started filling the form, hit the particulars section, and froze.
- You can't afford a solicitor to draft the form but you need it filed properly.
- You've got a strong case and you don't want it to die on a procedural mistake.
- You're not sure if you've calculated the deadline correctly.
- You want the wording tribunals expect, not a blank page and Google.
Get the guide.
One-off purchase, £129. Instant PDF download. The complete ET1 walkthrough with templates.
Get the guide. £129Common questions.
Is this legal advice for my specific case?
No. This is general educational information for England and Wales. Every situation is different. For complex cases, consider booking a one-off consultation with a qualified employment solicitor.
Does this help me run the case after I file?
No. This guide is for the ET1 stage only. For the post-ET1 process (ET3, disclosure, hearings, witness statements, bundles), see How to Survive the Tribunal as a Litigant in Person.
How is this delivered?
Instant download as a PDF after purchase. Files won't open? I'll fix it or refund you.
Does this cover Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. England and Wales only. The legal framework, time limits, and statutory references are for England and Wales.
Can I get a refund if I don't find it useful?
Digital guides are non-refundable once downloaded. The full table of contents above shows exactly what's inside. If you have a question before buying, contact info@thesecretlawyer.co.uk.