Seems to be involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER) of damaged DNA (dark repair mechanism). The UVH1/RAD1-ERCC1/RAD10 complex may act as an endonuclease making DNA incision 5' to the lesion site. In vitro, is implicated in double strand breaks (DSBs) repair and is required for homologous recombination in the presence of non-homologous overhangs. In vitro, is involved in chromosomal recombination between tandem repeats in both direct and inverted orientations. May mediate the induction of a DNA-damage sensitive cell-cycle checkpoint during the G2 phase. Heterodimer with UVH1/RAD1. Belongs to the ERCC1/RAD10/SWI10 family.