OpenLegislation

Section 171 Time limit for proceedings.C1C2C3

England, Wales and Scotland

F1(1)

An F2employment tribunal shall not consider a complaint under section 168, F3168A, F4168B, 169 or 170 unless it is presented to the tribunal—

(a)

within F5six months of the date when the failure occurred, or

(b)

where the tribunal is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for the complaint to be presented within that period, within such further period as the tribunal considers reasonable.

F6(2)

Section 292A (extension of time limits to facilitate conciliation before institution of proceedings) applies for the purposes of subsection (1)(a).

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

S. 171 renumbered as s. 171(1) (6.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 2 para. 9(2); S.I. 2014/253, art. 3(g)

F2

Words in s. 171 substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a) (with s. 16(2)); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F3

Word in s. 171 inserted (27.4.2003) by 2002 c. 22, ss. 53, 55(2), Sch. 7 para. 19; S.I. 2003/1190, art. 2(2)

F4

Word in s. 171(1) inserted (6.1.2026 for specified purposes) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), ss. 65(5), 159(3); S.I. 2026/3, reg. 2(22)

F5

Word in s. 171(1)(a) substituted (1.10.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 12 para. 2(9); S.I. 2026/954, reg. 3 (with reg. 4)

F6

S. 171(2) inserted (6.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), s. 103(3), Sch. 2 para. 9(3); S.I. 2014/253, art. 3(g)

Modifications

C1

S. 171 applied (4.9.2000) by 1999 c. 26, s. 10(7), (with s. 15); S.I. 2000/2242, art. 2 (with transitional provisions in arts. 3, 4)

C2

S. 171 applied (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 47, Sch. 6 para. 9 (with regs. 44-46, Sch. 7)

C3

Ss. 171-173 applied (6.4.2010) by The Employee Study and Training (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/155), regs. 1, 16(8)