Guides › Public Services › Acas Early Conciliation: The Step Before a Tribunal
Acas Early Conciliation: The Step Before A Tribunal
Before most employment tribunal claims you must tell Acas. Acas then offers early conciliation, a free way to try to settle the dispute without a tribunal. It can last up to 12 weeks. If it does not settle, Acas gives you a certificate number to put on your tribunal claim form. The tribunal time limit is paused while Acas helps, and you have at least one month after getting the certificate to claim.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
How It Works
Starting
You tell Acas you intend to make a tribunal claim. Acas asks whether you want early conciliation, takes details and sends you a reference number. source
Settling
A conciliator speaks to you and, if you agree, your employer. If you settle, it is recorded in a legally binding COT3 agreement and you cannot take it to a tribunal. source
The Certificate
If it does not settle, or your employer will not take part, Acas issues a certificate with a number. You put it on the ET1 tribunal claim form. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 12 weeksEarly conciliation can last up toSet by law
- 1 monthAt least, to claimAfter you receive the certificate
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Work out your time limit from the date of the problem.
Step 2 of 4
Notify Acas online or by phone before it runs out.
Step 3 of 4
Talk to the conciliator about what you want.
Step 4 of 4
If it does not settle, use the certificate number to make your claim.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Early Conciliation
You must tell Acas before you make most tribunal claims. It is free.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Employment Tribunal (GOV.UK)
Make a claim online after early conciliation.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Acas does not advise on whether your case will win. Get advice from Citizens Advice, a union or a solicitor.
Tribunal time limits are strict. For problems on or after 1 October 2026 the usual limit is 6 months minus 1 day; before that it was 3 months minus 1 day. Tell Acas before the limit runs out.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- acas.org.uk/early-conciliation/how-early-conciliation-works Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/employment-tribunals Checked 15 October 2026
- business.gov.uk/campaign/employment-changes/employee/unfair-dismissal-rights Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026