Going through ACAS early conciliation?
Before you can make an employment tribunal claim, you're required to contact ACAS. Early conciliation is a mandatory step — understanding how it works, how it affects your deadlines, and what it means if it doesn't resolve things is important.
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What happens
What to expect at this stage
Contact ACAS to start the process
You can notify ACAS online or by phone. You'll provide basic details about your dispute. ACAS will then contact your employer to see if they're willing to engage in conciliation. This starts the clock on the EC period.
Contact ACAS to start the process
You can notify ACAS online or by phone. You'll provide basic details about your dispute. ACAS will then contact your employer to see if they're willing to engage in conciliation. This starts the clock on the EC period.
The conciliation period
ACAS will attempt to help you and your employer reach a settlement. The standard period is up to 6 weeks, extendable by a further 2 weeks if both parties agree. Neither side is obliged to settle — conciliation is voluntary, even though starting it is mandatory.
Receive your EC certificate
Whether or not conciliation succeeds, ACAS will issue an Early Conciliation certificate with a unique reference number. You'll need this number to submit a tribunal claim. Without it, your ET1 form cannot be accepted.
Understand how the clock is affected
The EC period pauses your tribunal claim deadline — but the calculation can be complex. The time between 'Day A' (when you contact ACAS) and 'Day B' (when the certificate is issued) doesn't count towards your 3-month time limit, and you get a minimum of 1 month after Day B to file. Getting this calculation right matters.
How Yerty helps
How Yerty helps at this stage
Track your deadlines
The interaction between your original time limit, the EC period, and the extended deadline can be complex. Keep sight of the dates that matter.
Understand the process
Know what early conciliation involves at each step — from initial notification through to receiving your certificate and deciding what to do next.
Keep your documents organised
Your EC certificate, any correspondence with ACAS, and records from this stage all become part of your case file if you proceed to tribunal.
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Common questions
Questions people ask at this stage
Yes — with very limited exceptions. You cannot submit a tribunal claim without first notifying ACAS. You'll need the EC certificate reference number to complete your ET1 form. Starting the process doesn't commit you to settling or even to making a claim — it just preserves your option to do so.
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Build on real situations - giving you grounded insight in what actually happens
Reviewed by a practising SRA-regulated employment solicitor - ensuring the information on our platform is accurate and reliable
Ministry of Justice LawTech Programme - accepted into the MoJ's programme supporting innovation in access to justice
Justice Technology Association member - committed to ethical, responsible legal technology
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