Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 1st October 2026.

(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.

Interpretation

2. In these Regulations—

“ the 2000 Regulations ” means the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 ( 7 );

“ the 2002 Regulations ” means the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 ( 8 );

“ the 2004 Regulations ” means the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 ( 9 );

“ the 2010 Regulations ” means the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 ( 10 );

“ the 2015 Regulations ” means the Exclusivity Terms in Zero Hours Contracts (Redress) Regulations 2015 ( 11 );

“ the 2018 Regulations ” means the Employment Rights Act 1996 (NHS Recruitment - Protected Disclosure) Regulations 2018 ( 12 );

“ the 2022 Regulations ” means the Exclusivity Terms for Zero Hours Workers (Unenforceability and Redress) Regulations 2022 ( 13 ).

Amendment to the 2000 Regulations

3. In regulation 8 of the 2000 Regulations (complaints to employment tribunals), in paragraph (2), for the words from “three” to “six months)” substitute “six months”.

Amendment to the 2002 Regulations

4. In regulation 7 of the 2002 Regulations (complaints to employment tribunals etc.), in paragraph (2), in the words before sub-paragraph (a), for “three” substitute “six”.

Amendments to the 2004 Regulations

5. In regulation 29(2) of the 2004 Regulations (right to time off: complaint to tribunals), in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), for “three” substitute “six”.

Amendments to the 2010 Regulations

6. In the 2010 Regulations—

(a)in regulation 7 (time limit for proceedings under regulation 5 or 6), in paragraph (1), for “three” substitute “six”;

(b)in regulation 10 (time limit for proceedings under regulation 9), in paragraph (1), for “three” substitute “six”.

Amendment to the 2015 Regulations

7. In regulation 3 of the 2015 Regulations (complaints to employment tribunals), in paragraph (2), for “three” substitute “six”.

Amendment to the 2018 Regulations

8. In regulation 5 of the 2018 Regulations (time limit for proceedings under regulation 4), in paragraph (1), for “three” substitute “six”.

Amendment to the 2022 Regulations

9. In regulation 8 of the 2022 Regulations (complaints to employment tribunals), in paragraph (2), for “three” substitute “six”.

Transitional Provisions

10.—(1) The amendments made by regulations 3 to 9 do not apply to cases where the relevant date occurs before 1st October 2026.

(2) Where the complaint presented to the Employment Tribunal is made under regulation 8(1) of the 2000 Regulations, or regulation 7(1) of the 2002 Regulations in the case of an alleged infringement of regulation 3(1) or 6(2) of the 2002 Regulations, the relevant date is either—

(a)the date of the less favourable treatment or detriment to which the complaint relates, or

(b)where the act or failure is part of a series of similar acts or failures comprising the less favourable treatment or detriment, the date of the last of them.

(3) Where the complaint presented to the Employment Tribunal is made under regulation 7(1) of the 2002 Regulations, in the case of an alleged infringement of regulation 3(6), the relevant date is either—

(a)the date on which other individuals were informed of the vacancy, or

(b)if there is more than one date, the last date on which other individuals were informed of the vacancy.

(4) Where the complaint presented to the Employment Tribunal is made under regulation 29(1) of the 2004 Regulations, the relevant date is either—

(a)the date on which the time off was taken, or

(b)the date on which it is alleged the time off should have been permitted.

(5) Where the complaint presented to the Employment Tribunal is made under regulation 9(1) of the 2010 Regulations, regulation 3(1) of the 2015 Regulations or regulation 8(1) of the 2022 Regulations, the relevant date is either—

(a)the date of the act or failure to act to which the complaint relates, or

(b)where that act or failure is part of a series of similar acts or failures, the date of the last of them.

(6) Where the complaint presented to the Employment Tribunal is made under regulation 5(1) or 6(1) of the 2010 Regulations, or regulation 4(1) of the 2018 Regulations, the relevant date is the date of the conduct to which the complaint relates.