Acas Early Conciliation

What it is, and how to make it work for you

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If you want to take your employer to an employment tribunal to make a judgement on your work dispute, you can't go straight there. For almost every claim, you must contact Acas first and go through what’s called ‘early conciliation’.

Done well, early conciliation is much more than a box to tick. It's often where a case gets settled.

What is Acas early conciliation?

Acas is an independent public body and free to use. Early conciliation is its service for settling workplace disputes before they reach a tribunal.

A conciliator is an Acas officer trained to help both sides reach a deal. They talk to you and your employer separately. They pass on messages and offers, and help both sides see the strengths and weaknesses of their case.

They don't take sides and they don't decide who is right. They also can't give you legal advice.

Early conciliation is free, confidential and voluntary. You must notify Acas, but neither you nor your employer has to take part in the talks or agree to anything.

Do I have to go through Acas?

In most cases, yes. You can't submit your tribunal claim form (the ET1) without an early conciliation certificate number.

This applies to unfair dismissal, discrimination, unpaid wages, notice pay, whistleblowing and most other claims.

There are a few narrow exceptions. One is an urgent application for 'interim relief' in some whistleblowing dismissals, which asks a tribunal to keep you on the payroll until your case is heard. Grapple Law can help you check whether an exception applies to you.

How early conciliation works: step by step

1. You notify Acas. Fill in the online form on the Acas website, or phone them. You'll need your contact details, your employer's correct legal name and address, and the date things went wrong. You don't have to set out your whole case at this stage.

2. Acas contacts you. A conciliator gets in touch, usually within a few working days, to understand what happened and what you want.

3. The talks. With your agreement, the conciliator contacts your employer. Offers go back and forth through the conciliator. For notifications made on or after 1st December 2025, the talks can last up to 12 weeks.

4. The outcome. If you reach a deal, it's recorded in a legally binding agreement called a COT3, and the dispute ends there. If you don't reach a deal, or your employer won't take part, Acas issues an early conciliation certificate with the reference number you need for your claim.

Don't lose track of your deadline

For things that happen on or after 1st October 2026, you normally have six months less one day to start early conciliation for most claims. More on the new tribunal deadline.

Early conciliation pauses the clock while it's going on. Once you get your certificate, you'll always have at least one month to submit your claim, and sometimes longer.

Make a note of the date your certificate arrives. Grapple Law can work out your exact deadline from it.

How to get the most out of early conciliation

• Know what you want before the first call: money, a reference, an apology or your job back.
• Put a figure on your claim, including lost pay, notice pay and any holiday pay you're owed.
• Send the conciliator a short written summary of the key facts and evidence.
• Don't accept the first offer just because it's there. Think about what a tribunal might award, and what you'd gain or lose by waiting.
• Stay calm and professional. What you say to the conciliator is confidential and can't be used as evidence at a tribunal.

How Grapple Law can help

Grapple Law is a legal AI. It helps you work out whether you may have a case, what your deadline is and what your claim could be worth. That way you go into early conciliation well prepared.

Grapple Law can then help you put your case clearly and weigh up offers. If the talks fail, it can help you prepare your tribunal claim.

It's free to start, with a choice of legal services at a fraction of the cost of a traditional solicitor.

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Frequently asked questions about Acas early conciliation

Will my employer know I've contacted Acas?

Only if the talks go ahead. Acas will usually ask your permission before contacting your employer. If you don't want to take part, you can ask for your certificate straight away.

Is a COT3 the same as a settlement agreement?

Both are binding ways to settle a dispute, but are not exactly the same.

A COT3 is agreed through Acas and doesn't need a lawyer to sign it off.

A settlement agreement only binds you if you've had advice from an independent adviser, such as a solicitor, before signing.

Can I use early conciliation while I'm still working for the employer I have a dispute with?

Yes. Many people use it to sort out unpaid wages, discrimination or an unresolved grievance (a formal complaint to your employer) without leaving their job.

Do I need a separate certificate for each claim?

Not usually. One certificate normally covers all your claims against the same employer about the same dispute.

If you're claiming against more than one person or organisation, you need a certificate for each of them.

Find out more

• How to Make an Employment Tribunal Claim: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Settlement Agreements
• Unfair Dismissal
• Without Prejudice (talks that can't later be used as evidence)