Short answer
An employer may be able to dismiss an employee only if the reason and process are lawful. The facts, length of service, reason, procedure and deadlines matter.
Quick checklist
Start with these
Start With The Reason Given
Write down the reason your employer has given, who said it and when. Keep dismissal letters, redundancy consultation notes, performance documents and disciplinary papers.
- conduct
- capability
- redundancy
- some other substantial reason
- automatically unfair reasons
Check Time Limits Early
Employment tribunal time limits can be short. ACAS early conciliation is usually an important step before a tribunal claim.
- date of dismissal
- last day worked
- ACAS early conciliation dates
- appeal deadline
General information only for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland need separate content checks.
Content governance
Reviewed legal information
- Author
- Legal4U Editorial Team
- Editorial board
- Legal4U Employment Editorial Board
- Reviewer
- Legal4U Employment Editorial Board. Employment-law solicitor, barrister or regulated workplace-rights specialist review required before publication as legal guidance.
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Date published
- 18 July 2026
- Date last reviewed
- 16 July 2026
- Regulatory status
- Legal4U is a legal enquiry intake and professional matching platform, not a law firm.
- Sources
-
- Employment tribunal time limits Acas. Checked 17 July 2026.
- How early conciliation works Acas. Checked 17 July 2026.
- Editorial policy
- Legal4U guides are written to help users prepare structured enquiries and are reviewed for clarity, jurisdiction and advice caveats.
- Correction process
- Corrections or update requests can be sent through the Legal4U contact page for editorial review.
- Information and advice
- This page is general information only and is not legal advice. Legal advice is provided only by an authorised professional or firm after they accept instructions.
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