WHAT IS EARLY CONCILIATION?
Plain English, no jargon
ACAS Early Conciliation is a mandatory step before an employee can make a claim at employment tribunal. It gives both sides a chance to resolve things without the time, cost and stress of a full hearing.
1
You receive the notification
ACAS contacts you to confirm an employee has registered a potential claim. The clock starts here.
Receiving a notification does not mean you have done something wrong. It means a current or former employee is considering a claim and ACAS is now involved as a neutral go between.
2
ACAS contacts both sides
A conciliation officer acts as a neutral go between, opening a channel for discussion.
Mandatory before any tribunal claim can proceed
ACAS acts as a neutral go between for both parties
3
Negotiation takes place
Conciliation period lasts up to 12 weeks
Both parties discuss terms. This may include a financial settlement, a reference, or a formal acknowledgement.
Agreement reached means no tribunal claim proceeds
4
Resolution or escalation
Agreement reached closes the case with a COT3. Without agreement, the employee can proceed to tribunal.
Over 12 years employment relations experience
Support from day one of notification
Specialists in SME employment law
Plain English. No jargon. No judgment.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
What receiving a notification does NOT mean
Business owners make costly mistakes because of these misunderstandings. Here is the reality.
Myth
I must have done something wrong
Notifications happen to good employers all the time. A mishandled resignation, a redundancy that did not go to plan, a long absence. It does not mean you are at fault.
Myth
I should just settle and move on
Settling without understanding your position often means paying far more than necessary. Proper advice first could save you thousands.
Myth
Ignoring it will make it go away
It removes your opportunity to resolve things cheaply and increases the likelihood of a full tribunal claim proceeding against you.
Reality
Most cases are resolved at this stage, without ever going to tribunal
Around 70% of Early Conciliation cases settle here. The key is getting the right advice quickly, understanding your risk clearly, and making informed decisions throughout the process.
70%
of Early Conciliation cases resolved without reaching tribunal
12 wks
maximum conciliation window to reach a resolution
Day 1
the best time to get advice. The earlier, the more options you have
HOW I SUPPORT YOU
You do not have to navigate this alone
Here is exactly what I do from the moment you receive a notification through to resolution.
Step 01
Honest risk review
I review the claim details and assess the legal risks and potential costs involved. I analyze the notification against your records to give you a clear, no-nonsense assessment.
Knowing your strong suit is vital. We examine everything from process compliance to employee records to determine the most favourable position for your organisation.
Settlement Options
Full Defense
Active
Step 03
Process management
I act as your point of contact with any third parties, managing all communications and ensuring you meet every deadline without the stress.
The ACAS process has strict timelines. I manage the calendar, draft the responses, and filter the noise so you can keep running your company without distraction.
COT3 AgreementÂ
Legally Binding COT3 AgreementÂ
ACAS Cetificate
Protect yourself going forward
Documentation review
I review your existing contracts and handbooks to identify and close any compliance gaps, reducing the risk of future notifications and protecting your business.
Compliance is your best defense. We ensure your paperwork mirrors your professional practices, making it far harder for frivolous claims to gain momentum.
Risk Assessment
Overall position: Favourable
Step 02
Strategy and settlement advice
We decide the best route forward. If settlement is the sensible business move, I calculate the right figures and handle the negotiation for you.
Commercial awareness counts. I review potential tribunal award scales against the cost of defense to ensure any offer made is pragmatic and protective of your finances.
Process Checklist
✓
Risk Assessment Complete
Drafting Response
Step 04
Resolution and outcome
he 12-week conciliation period concludes in one of three ways: a negotiated settlement, a formal COT3 agreement drawn up by ACAS, or an ACAS certificate that allows the claimant to proceed to an employment tribunal.
​
I advise you through whichever route we reach, making sure any settlement terms protect your business and that you understand exactly what you are agreeing to before anything is signed.
Process Checklist
✓
Employment_Contract_v1.pdf
HR_Handbook_2026.docx