Deal with time limits separately
Put the relevant event dates at the top of your notes and check the current Acas time-limit guidance. The rules changed for many events from 1 October 2026. Internal procedures and tribunal deadlines are different matters. Timely notification of Acas can affect the deadline; do not calculate an extension from memory or assume a late notification protects you.
Prepare a one-page explanation
Write the parties, the core events, the potential claim and what resolution you are looking for. Keep supporting documents organised, but distinguish the short explanation from the evidence file. A conciliator needs to understand the dispute without receiving every email you have ever exchanged with the employer. Mark uncertainties so that you can explain them honestly.
Separate money from other priorities
Make a private list of matters you might want resolved: a payment, outstanding sums, wording of a reference, timing or other practical terms. Check which matters require advice and which are simply your negotiating preferences. Do not assume a verbal understanding covers every term, or that a familiar expression has the same effect in every settlement document.
Use a conversation record
After each conversation, note the date, what was discussed, any proposal and the next step. Keep proposals distinct from agreements. If you are unsure what would become binding or what rights would be affected, ask the conciliator and obtain advice before committing. A calm written record helps you avoid accepting a term you have misunderstood.
An example of a useful priority list
A fictional worker ranks three practical concerns: payment timing, a factual reference and resolving an outstanding holiday-pay disagreement. Writing that list does not decide whether any amount is legally due. It makes the conversation clearer and exposes points that need legal or financial checking before a settlement is accepted.
Choose the book for your next stage
If you are looking ahead to an employment tribunal, volume 4 is the relevant broader guide. If you are considering an employer’s settlement agreement, volume 5 addresses that different topic. The site’s book chooser helps you find the right volume; use Amazon’s sample and live product details before purchasing.
Sources & scope
Checked on 8 October 2026. Follow your tribunal’s directions and jurisdiction-specific rules. Examples on this page are fictional and illustrate preparation methods, not legal outcomes.
Edition notes and current-rule checks · General information, not individual legal advice.