From 1 December 2025, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) will implement a significant change to its early conciliation process. The standard period for resolving workplace disputes before tribunal proceedings will be extended from six to twelve weeks.
What is Early Conciliation?
Early conciliation is a free and confidential service offered by ACAS that allows employees and employers to resolve disputes without going to an employment tribunal. It is a mandatory step for most employment claims in the UK and aims to promote settlement through dialogue and mediation.
What is changing?
- New Duration: The early conciliation period will now last up to 12 weeks, doubling the previous six-week window.
- Effective Date: This change applies to all cases where early conciliation is initiated on or after 1 December 2025.
- Purpose: The extension is designed to give parties more time to negotiate settlements, potentially reducing the number of claims that proceed to tribunal.
Why it matters
This update reflects a broader push to encourage resolution outside of formal legal proceedings. While it offers more breathing room for complex negotiations, employers and employees should be mindful of how this affects timelines for bringing claims and preparing documentation.
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