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Promoting employment relations and HR excellence
Website URL : http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1705

What does the conciliator do?

A trained conciliator:

  • discusses and explores the issues with each side
  • explains any legal issues involved
  • tries to find opportunities for settling the dispute
  • helps both parties agree a legally binding agreement

Where appropriate, the conciliator will also:

  • explain the conciliation process
  • explain how tribunals operate and what they will take into account in deciding the case
  • discuss your options, including arbitration where appropriate
  • help you to understand how the other side views the case, and explore how you might reach a resolution without a hearing
  • tell you about any proposals the other side has for a settlement

The conciliator will not:

  • make a judgement on the case, or the likely outcome of a hearing
  • advise you whether to accept any proposals for settlement
  • act as your representative, take sides or help you prepare your case
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