Do I need two years of service to claim?

For ordinary unfair dismissal, yes, though the qualifying period is being reduced. There is no minimum service for automatically unfair reasons such as whistleblowing, discrimination or asserting a statutory right.

Should I appeal even if I plan to bring a tribunal claim?

In most cases, yes. Not appealing can reduce any compensation awarded by the tribunal.

Dismissed from Work: What to Do Next in the UK

The most important thing to know after a dismissal is the deadline. Acas states that time limits for employment tribunal claims increased from 3 months to 6 months on 1 October 2026. The 3 month limit may still apply to problems that started before 1 October 2026. Check your deadline early and seek advice. ACAS Early Conciliation must be completed before the claim is issued, and the internal appeal process does not stop the clock.