You should always try to get advice, preferably from a specialist lawyer. In the first instance, look at the Equality and Human Rights Commission website or the Citizens Advice website, or contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (see Box M.1 ). Be aware of time limits: if you want to bring a legal case for discrimination, you must do so within the specific time period (see below). If you go beyond this date, you cannot start the claim unless the court or tribunal gives you permission.

Employment – If you think you have been discriminated against under the employment provisions, you can make a complaint to an Employment Tribunal. The complaint must be registered with the Tribunal within three months of the date of the discriminatory act, eg the date you were dismissed.

If you wish to start an Employment Tribunal case, you must first contact ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). This is so that ACAS can explore whether ‘Early Conciliati