What is Acas early conciliation?

Deadlines to know first

• Tribunal time limit: for problems at work on or after 1 October 2026, you usually have 6 months to claim. For problems before that date, the limit is 3 months.
• Contact Acas before the time limit runs out. Notifying Acas stops the clock.
• After your certificate arrives: you have at least 1 month left to make your claim. If Acas emails it, it counts as received on the day it is sent.

What early conciliation is

Early conciliation is a free service from Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). Acas offers you and your employer the chance to settle the dispute without going to a tribunal. It is voluntary. Both you and your employer must agree to take part.

For most employment tribunal claims, you must notify Acas first. You cannot make the claim without an early conciliation certificate number, unless an exception applies.

How long it lasts

For notifications made on or after 1 December 2025, Acas has 12 weeks to try to reach a settlement. This used to be 6 weeks.

Step by step

1. Notify Acas. Use the online form on the Acas website, linked from GOV.UK.
2. Give the details. Include your contact details and the name and address of your employer, or anyone else you want to claim against.
3. Acas contacts you. You are offered the chance to try to settle without going to a tribunal.
4. Decide. You can say yes or no. Your employer can also say no.
5. Settle or get a certificate. If you agree a settlement, you do not need to go to a tribunal. If you do not, or either side refuses, Acas sends you an early conciliation certificate.
6. Make your claim. Quote the certificate number on your tribunal claim. If you claim against more than one person or organisation, you need a certificate for each one.

When you do not need early conciliation

• someone you are claiming with has already done it for the same matter
• the employer has already contacted Acas about it, and you can show this
• you are only claiming unfair dismissal and applying for interim relief
• Acas does not have the power to conciliate on your type of claim

Free help

• Acas helpline: 0300 123 1100 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). Textphone: 18001 0300 123 1100.
• Citizens Advice can explain your options.
• Your trade union or staff representative.

If you work in Northern Ireland

Early conciliation is run by the Labour Relations Agency (LRA), not Acas. It lasts up to one month, and the conciliation officer can extend it by 14 days if a deal looks likely. A conciliation officer usually contacts you within five working days. Most tribunal claims in Northern Ireland must be made within 3 months, though this varies.

If you miss the deadline

A late tribunal claim may be rejected. Contact Acas, Citizens Advice or the LRA straight away to talk about your options.

Related guides

• What can I do if I've been unfairly dismissed?
• How do I take my employer to an employment tribunal?
• How does a grievance procedure at work work?
• What is whistleblowing and how am I protected?
• What is a notice period?

Where this comes from

• Make a claim to an employment tribunal: before you make a claim (GOV.UK)
• Making a claim to an employment tribunal, T420 (HM Courts and Tribunals Service)
• The Employment Tribunals (Early Conciliation) regulations 2025, explanatory memorandum (legislation.gov.uk)
• Employment tribunal time limits (business.gov.uk)
• Solve a workplace dispute: mediation, conciliation and arbitration (GOV.UK)
• Solve a workplace dispute: help and advice (GOV.UK)
• Early conciliation (nidirect)