ACAS Early Conciliation — Request for Extension of EC Period
Letter requesting an extension of the ACAS Early Conciliation clock-stop period where conciliation is ongoing and more time is needed.
This template was not drafted by a solicitor.
It is an editorial reference based on the official sources we cite. You are responsible for any document you send. For high-stakes matters (court proceedings, large sums, deportation, criminal allegations, child welfare), have a regulated solicitor review or draft your document.
When to use this template
Use this letter when ACAS Early Conciliation is underway and the initial conciliation period (up to six weeks) is coming to an end, but the parties are making progress and require additional time to reach a settlement. Both parties must agree to an extension of up to 14 days.
When NOT to use this template
Do not use if the EC process has already ended with an EC Certificate — the limitation period will then run from the date of the certificate. Do not use if the parties are not genuinely engaged in conciliation — an extension should not be used merely to delay issuing proceedings. Do not use if the prospective respondent has refused to engage.
Legal Basis
Employment Tribunals Act 1996 s.18A (requirement to notify ACAS before making an Employment Tribunal claim); Employment Tribunals (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2014; ACAS may extend the conciliation period by up to 14 days where both parties consent and it appears settlement is possible (r.7 of the 2014 Regulations). The limitation period is paused ('stopped the clock') while EC is ongoing.
Before you send
- Assuming the extension is automatic — both parties must agree and ACAS must be satisfied settlement is possible
- Losing track of the limitation period — once the EC Certificate is issued, time starts running again immediately
- Using an extension to conduct unrelated negotiations — extension should be used only where a specific settlement proposal is under active discussion
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Assuming the extension is automatic — both parties must agree and ACAS must be satisfied settlement is possible
- ✗Losing track of the limitation period — once the EC Certificate is issued, time starts running again immediately
- ✗Using an extension to conduct unrelated negotiations — extension should be used only where a specific settlement proposal is under active discussion
- ✗Not confirming the extension in writing to ACAS — verbal agreement is insufficient
- ✗Issuing tribunal proceedings during the extension period — doing so will be premature and may be struck out
Build Your Letter
Fill in your details
Complete the fields below. Required fields are marked with *.
Letter preview
[YOUR FULL NAME / FIRM NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] [DATE OF LETTER] ACAS Early Conciliation Team Acas National Euston Tower 286 Euston Road London NW1 3JJ --- Dear Sir or Madam, **Request for Extension of Early Conciliation Period** **ACAS EC Reference: [ACAS EC REFERENCE NUMBER]** **Prospective Claimant: [PROSPECTIVE CLAIMANT'S FULL NAME]** **Prospective Respondent: [PROSPECTIVE RESPONDENT'S NAME]** I am writing on behalf of [PARTY MAKING THIS REQUEST (CLAIMANT / RESPONDENT)] in the above Early Conciliation matter. The initial conciliation period commenced on **[DATE EC PERIOD COMMENCED]** and is currently due to expire on **[CURRENT EXPIRY DATE OF EC PERIOD]**. **Reason for Extension Request** The parties are actively engaged in settlement discussions and real progress has been made. In particular: [PROGRESS MADE IN CONCILIATION]. We believe that with a further period of conciliation, a settlement can be reached without the need for employment tribunal proceedings, saving both parties and the Tribunal time and expense. **Request** We respectfully request that ACAS exercise its discretion under Rule 7 of the Employment Tribunals (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2014 to extend the conciliation period by a further **14 days**, to expire on **[PROPOSED EXTENDED EXPIRY DATE (14 DAYS FROM CURRENT EXPIRY)]**. [RESPONDENT'S CONSENT TO EXTENSION (IF KNOWN)] **Next Steps** During the extended period, the parties will focus on resolving the following outstanding matters: [MATTERS TO BE RESOLVED DURING EXTENSION]. Please confirm whether ACAS is able to grant this extension. We are available to discuss this with the conciliation officer by telephone at short notice. Yours faithfully, [YOUR FULL NAME / FIRM NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.