Before an employee can bring most types of claim to an employment tribunal, they must first notify Acas. A conciliator then contacts both sides to explore whether the matter can be resolved without litigation.
Participation is not compulsory and nothing is binding unless both sides agree it. But the period matters enormously: it pauses the clock on the claim’s time limit, and it is the last realistic chance to close a dispute quietly and cheaply.
A defended tribunal claim consumes management time, legal cost and — if the matter is reported — reputation, regardless of who eventually wins. A resolution reached at conciliation costs a fraction of that and stays private.
What you say during conciliation is important. Statements made here can shape the whole matter, and an early concession offered without advice is difficult to retract.
The file assessed quickly, because the conciliation window is short and the clock is already running.
We deal with the conciliator directly, so nothing is conceded without advice.
An agreement drafted so the claims are actually waived and the matter is closed for good.
London, United Kingdom
