EARLY CONCILIATION COMING TO NI 27 JANUARY 2020

Early Conciliation comes into effect on 27 January 2020, following a change in NI employment law.  As a result, anyone who wishes to lodge a claim with the Industrial or Fair Employment Tribunal must first notify the Labour Relations Agency and discuss the option of Early Conciliation.  Potential claimants will not be able to proceed to tribunal without at least considering this option. 

Potential claimants can make an Early Conciliation notification by completing the online form and one of our Conciliation Officers will then get in touch with you, usually within five working days.  In order to complete the online form you'll need to have to hand your National Insurance Number, the legal name, address and contact details of your employer and contact details for anyone representing you. 

Representatives of employees can also contact the Labour Relations Agency to request Early Conciliation on behalf of those they are representing.

Early Conciliation is also available to employers who are dealing with a dispute in the workplace which they feel might be taken to tribunal.  Employers can contact the Labour Relations Agency and request Early Conciliation to help resolve the dispute without the need for a tribunal hearing.  Where there is more than one employee but fewer than five with the same dispute, the employer can request Early Conciliation through our online form.  However, where there are five or more employees with the same dispute the employer should contact us on 03300 552 220.

Representatives of employers can also contact the Labour Relations Agency to request Early Conciliation on behalf of those they are representing.