How Long Does Acas Early Conciliation Take?

Acas early conciliation can last up to 12 weeks from Day A, the date Acas receives the notification. This applies to notifications made on or after 1 December 2025. Before that date the limit was six weeks. Many cases finish much sooner.

General information only, not legal advice. Check the latest Acas and GOV.UK guidance for your situation.

How long can early conciliation last?

There is no fixed length. 12 weeks is the maximum, not the usual time. If the employer does not want to take part, or Acas cannot make contact, the certificate can be issued within days. Where both sides want to negotiate, it takes longer because the conciliator goes back and forth between them.

The old option to extend the period by two weeks no longer exists, so do not plan around it.

What are Day A and Day B?

Day A is the date Acas receives the early conciliation notification.

Day B is the date Acas issues the early conciliation certificate.

The certificate number is needed to start a tribunal claim, so the claimant cannot submit an ET1 without it.

How does early conciliation affect the tribunal time limit?

Starting early conciliation pauses the tribunal time limit between Day A and Day B. The process itself does not put the right to claim at risk.

Once the certificate is issued (Day B), the clock starts again. If the limit would have run out during conciliation, or within one month after Day B, the claimant gets until one month after Day B. For example, if only 10 days of the limit were left on Day A, the claimant would have one month from Day B, not 10 days.

For events on or after 1 October 2026, the time limit for most tribunal claims is six months. Events that happened wholly before that date keep the old limit of three months less one day. Some claim types, such as breach of contract, have separate rules, so check the dates for each claim.

What does this mean for employers?

Taking part in early conciliation is voluntary, but if you decline, the claimant can get a certificate quickly and start a claim.

Early conciliation does not stop the ET3 response deadline once a claim has been served. See our guide to the ET3 response deadline.

Keep a record of Day A, Day B and every call with the conciliator.

Take advice before you make or accept any offer.

If conciliation fails, read what to do when you receive an ET1 claim. For the full picture, see our guide to Acas early conciliation for employers.

Frequently asked questions

Can early conciliation end sooner than 12 weeks?

Yes. It ends when a settlement is reached, when either side refuses to take part, or when Acas decides conciliation cannot succeed. Acas then issues the certificate.

Does the employer have to take part?

No. It is voluntary for the employer. Refusing means the claimant can move to the tribunal as soon as the certificate is issued.

Does early conciliation stop the clock on a tribunal claim?

It pauses the clock between Day A and Day B. After Day B, the claimant has at least one month to start the claim.