ACAS Early Conciliation Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to written summary of position for ACAS early conciliation process, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong acas early conciliation letter should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Set out the key facts chronologically
• State the legal basis of the claim
• Set out the desired resolution
• Note this is a without prejudice communication for conciliation purposes

Why ACAS early conciliation is a required step

Before you can lodge most Employment Tribunal claims, you must first contact ACAS for early conciliation — this is a mandatory step, not an optional one, and a tribunal will generally reject a claim submitted without it (except in specific limited circumstances). Early conciliation gives both sides a genuine opportunity to resolve the matter without a formal hearing.

What a written summary of your position should cover

• A clear, factual summary of what happened and the legal basis of your complaint
• Key dates — when the issue arose, and your employment start and end dates if relevant
• What outcome you're seeking — compensation, reinstatement, or another remedy
• Any deadline pressure — for example, if your tribunal time limit is approaching

Why the process matters for your time limit

Starting ACAS early conciliation actually pauses your tribunal time limit clock for the duration of the process — this is a valuable protection, but it's worth understanding how the specific extension works so you don't miss your ultimate deadline once conciliation ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does early conciliation mean I definitely won't go to tribunal?
No — it's an opportunity to settle, but if it's unsuccessful, you'll receive a certificate allowing you to proceed to a tribunal claim.

Do I need a solicitor for early conciliation?
Not necessarily — many people handle this stage themselves, though advice can help if your situation is complex or high-value.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Acas - Early Conciliation [in Northern Ireland: Labour Relations Agency]
[Your conciliator's name, if you have one]
[Date]

WITHOUT PREJUDICE - FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONCILIATION

Dear [Conciliator's name / Sir or Madam],

Subject: Summary of my position - Early Conciliation reference [reference number]

Claimant: [Your Name]
Employer: [Employer Name]

Here is a summary of my position for early conciliation.

What happened, in date order:
• [Date] – [e.g. I started work as [job title]]
• [Date] – [e.g. I raised a grievance about [issue]]
• [Date] – [e.g. I was dismissed]

My complaint is: [the legal basis, e.g. unfair dismissal / unlawful deduction from wages / disability discrimination].

What I want: [e.g. compensation of £[amount] / my job back / a reference and payment of my unpaid wages].

[If it applies: My tribunal time limit is approaching on [date].]

Please pass this to my employer as part of conciliation.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]