Conciliation Agreement Template for England and Wales

A Conciliation Agreement outlines how two parties will resolve their dispute through conciliation - a less formal alternative to going to court. It sets out the ground rules for working with a conciliator who helps both sides reach a voluntary settlement, typically used in employment, consumer, and commercial disputes across England and Wales.

These agreements carry legal weight once signed and usually cover key points like confidentiality, costs, timeframes, and what happens if conciliation fails. Unlike mediation, conciliators can suggest solutions and take a more active role in guiding parties toward resolution, making these agreements particularly valuable when both sides want to preserve business relationships while solving their differences efficiently.

Consider using a Conciliation Agreement when you need to resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively while maintaining business relationships. These agreements work particularly well for employment conflicts, commercial disagreements, and consumer complaints where both parties want to avoid the stress and expense of court proceedings.

The timing is right for a Conciliation Agreement when early signs of conflict emerge but formal litigation hasn't started. It's especially valuable in situations where you need a flexible solution, want to keep discussions confidential, or when industry regulations encourage alternative dispute resolution. Many UK businesses use conciliation to address workplace grievances before they escalate into tribunal claims.

• Standard Workplace Conciliation: Used for resolving employment disputes, these agreements focus on grievance procedures, discrimination claims, and workplace conflicts
• Commercial Dispute Conciliation: Structured for business-to-business conflicts, featuring detailed confidentiality clauses and specific industry terminology
• Consumer Dispute Resolution: Tailored for customer complaints, typically including shorter timeframes and simpler language
• Multi-Party Conciliation: Designed for complex disputes involving multiple stakeholders, with detailed provisions for managing group dynamics
• Time-Limited Conciliation: Features strict deadlines and expedited processes for urgent dispute resolution needs

• Employers and Employees: Primary users of Conciliation Agreements in workplace disputes, often working through ACAS for employment issues
• Business Owners: Use these agreements to resolve commercial conflicts with suppliers, customers, or other businesses
• Professional Conciliators: Guide the process and help draft agreements that meet both parties' needs
• HR Professionals: Often manage the conciliation process and ensure agreements align with company policies
• Legal Advisers: Review and refine agreement terms to protect their clients' interests and ensure enforceability
• Trade Unions: Represent members' interests in workplace conciliation processes

• Dispute Details: Gather complete information about the conflict, including key dates, parties involved, and specific issues to be resolved
• Party Information: Collect full legal names, contact details, and authority status of all participants
• Process Timeline: Establish clear deadlines for each stage of the conciliation process
• Terms and Conditions: Define the scope, confidentiality requirements, and desired outcomes
• Cost Arrangements: Document how conciliation fees and related expenses will be shared
• Agreement Review: Our platform generates legally sound agreements tailored to your specific situation, ensuring all mandatory elements are included

• Party Details: Full legal names and contact information of all participating parties and the conciliator
• Dispute Description: Clear outline of the issues to be resolved through conciliation
• Process Terms: Detailed explanation of the conciliation procedure, timeframes, and meeting arrangements
• Confidentiality Clause: Specific terms about information sharing and privacy obligations
• Cost Distribution: Clear breakdown of fees and how expenses will be shared
• Termination Rights: Conditions under which either party can end the conciliation process
• Signature Block: Space for dated signatures, with statement of binding intent

A Conciliation Agreement differs significantly from an Arbitration Agreement, though both handle dispute resolution. The key distinctions lie in their approach, formality, and outcomes.

• Decision-Making Power: Conciliation involves a neutral third party who suggests solutions but cannot impose decisions. Arbitrators make binding decisions that parties must follow
• Process Formality: Conciliation is more flexible and informal, focusing on mutual understanding. Arbitration follows strict procedural rules, similar to court proceedings
• Cost and Time: Conciliation typically costs less and moves faster, with emphasis on relationship preservation. Arbitration involves more formal preparations and higher expenses
• Legal Standing: While both agreements are legally binding, arbitration decisions carry more weight and are harder to challenge in court than conciliated settlements