Rung 6 · Decide soberly

Should I go all the way?

5 min read · Reviewed 22 June 2026

Reaching a final hearing is rare, and it is not always the right choice — even with a strong case. This page helps you weigh it honestly: the costs, the alternatives, and the legitimacy of stopping or settling.

Stopping or settling is a valid outcome

There is no prize for going the distance. Most disputes resolve before a hearing, and a settlement that lets you move on is often the better result. Deciding not to litigate, or to accept a reasonable offer, is a legitimate — sometimes wiser — choice. The goal is to resolve your problem, not to win at all costs.

What going all the way actually costs

• Time: a claim can take many months, sometimes more than a year.
• Stress: litigation is demanding, and you relive the events.
• Evidence: you carry the burden of proving your case, with documents and witnesses.
• Uncertainty: even a strong case can lose, and no outcome is guaranteed.

Weigh it in the round

Set the realistic costs against what you stand to gain and how strongly the evidence supports you. Be honest about the strength of each allegation — lead with the strong ones, and do not let a weak point carry the decision. No false hope, but no false despair either.

Get a second opinion before you decide

This is a big decision and you do not have to make it alone. A free, independent adviser can give you an honest read on prospects and options. Weigh settlement seriously at every stage — ACAS conciliation stays open even after you have issued a claim.