Early Conciliation is the first part in the tribunal process. It’s one of, if not the most crucial time within a claim.
Don’t take Early Conciliation for granted, it may save you effort, time and more importantly money. The process is a requirement before a Tribunal can be presented and can last up to 6 weeks. It allows both parties to agree outcomes and part ways without going to tribunal. In this stage it’s possible to avoid a tribunal entirely with the right mediation, and therefore minimise the negative impact of a lengthy tribunal claim which may take months to resolve and is time-consuming for all parties.
Early Conciliation requires the claimant to get in touch with ACAS to register their interest in pursuing the claim. ACAS acts as a mediator between the employee and employer to try and find a middle ground for a settlement. Failing to reach an early settlement agreement in Early Conciliation can result in the case progressing to an Employment Tribunal. Employers can also initiate the process and use it to resolve a dispute before it becomes a Tribunal. Wirehouse have a team specifically dedicated to resolving issues at the early conciliation stage.”