Employment Tribunals Act 1996

18 Conciliation. E+W+S

(1) This section applies in the case of [F1 employment tribunal] proceedings and claims which could be the subject of [F1 employment tribunal] proceedings—

[F2 (a) under section 120 or 127 of the Equality Act 2010,]

(b) arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention, of section 64, 68 [F3 , 86], 137, 138, [F4 145A, 145B,] 146, 168, [F5 168A,] 169, 170, 174, 188 or 190 of the M1 Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992,

F6 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) [F7 under or] arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention, of section 8, 13, 15, 18(1), 21(1), 28 [F8 , [F9 63F(4), (5) or (6), 63I(1)(b), ] [F7 80G(1), 80H(1)(b),] 92 or 135,] or of Part V, VI, VII or X, of the M2 Employment Rights Act 1996,

[F10 (dd) under or by virtue of section 11, 18, 20(1)(a) or 24 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998;]

(e) which are proceedings in respect of which an [F1 employment tribunal] has jurisdiction by virtue of section 3 of this Act, F11 . . .

(f) [F12 under or] arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention, of a provision specified by an order under subsection (8)(b) as a provision to which this paragraph applies [F13 . . .

F14 (ff) under regulation 30 of the M3 Working Time Regulations 1998,]. . .

(g) under regulation 27 or 32 of the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999F15 [F16 . . .

(h) arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention of regulation [F17 5(1) or] 7(2) of the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000]

[F18 (i) arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention of regulation 3 or 6(2) of the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002; F19 . . .

(j) under regulation 9 of those Regulations]F20 [F21 . . .

F22 (k)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F23 [F24 (1)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F25 (m) under regulation 18 of the Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003]F26 [F27 . . .

(n) under regulation 41 or 45 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 2004]

[F28 [F29 (o)] under regulation 19 of the Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004]F30 [F31 . . .

(p) under regulation 29 or 33 of the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004][F32 , F33 . . .

(q) under paragraph 4 or 8 of the Schedule to the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006]F34 [F35 . . .

F36 (r)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F37 (s) under regulation 30 or 34 of the European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006] F38 [F39 ...

(t) under regulation 45 or 51 of the Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007.][F40 , F41 ...

(u) under regulation 17 of the Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008][F42 , F43 ...

(v) under regulation 28 or 32 of the European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Great Britain) Regulations 2009(S.I. 2009/2401).][F44 , [F45 2009/2401]

[F46 (v) under section 56 of the Pensions Act 2008.]

(w) under regulation 5, 6 or 9 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010.][F47 , or

(x) arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention of regulation 5, 12, 13 or 17(2) of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010.]

(2) Where an application has been presented to an [F1 employment tribunal], and a copy of it has been sent to a conciliation officer, it is the duty of the conciliation officer—

(a) if he is requested to do so by the person by whom and the person against whom the proceedings are brought, or

(b) if, in the absence of any such request, the conciliation officer considers that he could act under this subsection with a reasonable prospect of success,

to endeavour to promote a settlement of the proceedings without their being determined by an [F1 employment tribunal].

F48 [F49 (2A)] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where at any time—

(a) a person claims that action has been taken in respect of which proceedings could be brought by him before an [F1 employment tribunal], but

(b) before any application relating to that action has been presented by him a request is made to a conciliation officer (whether by that person or by the person against whom the proceedings could be instituted) to make his services available to them,

the conciliation officer [F50 may endeavour to promote a settlement between the parties without proceedings being instituted ] .

(4) Where a person who has presented a complaint to an [F1 employment tribunal] under section 111 of the M4 Employment Rights Act 1996 has ceased to be employed by the employer against whom the complaint was made, the conciliation officer shall (for the purpose of promoting a settlement of the complaint in accordance with subsection (2)) in particular—

(a) seek to promote the reinstatement or re-engagement of the complainant by the employer, or by a successor of the employer or by an associated employer, on terms appearing to the conciliation officer to be equitable, or

(b) where the complainant does not wish to be reinstated or re-engaged, or where reinstatement or re-engagement is not practicable, and the parties desire the conciliation officer to act, seek to promote agreement between them as to a sum by way of compensation to be paid by the employer to the complainant.

[F51 (5) Where a conciliation officer acts pursuant to subsection (3) in a case where the person claiming as specified in paragraph (a) of that subsection has ceased to be employed by the employer and the proceedings which he claims could be brought by him are proceedings under section 111 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, the conciliation officer may in particular—

(a) seek to promote the reinstatement or re-engagement of that person by the employer, or by a successor of the employer or by an associated employer, on terms appearing to the conciliation officer to be equitable, or

(b) where the person does not wish to be reinstated or re-engaged, or where reinstatement or re-engagement is not practicable, seek to promote agreement between them as to a sum by way of compensation to be paid by the employer to that person.]

(6) In proceeding under this section a conciliation officer shall, where appropriate, have regard to the desirability of encouraging the use of other procedures available for the settlement of grievances.

(7) Anything communicated to a conciliation officer in connection with the performance of his functions under this section shall not be admissible in evidence in any proceedings before an [F1 employment tribunal], except with the consent of the person who communicated it to that officer.

(8) The Secretary of State [F52 and the Lord Chancellor, acting jointly,] may by order [F53 amend the definition of “relevant proceedings” in subsection (1) by adding to or removing from the list in that subsection particular types of employment tribunal proceedings. ]

[F54 (9) An order under subsection (8) that adds employment tribunal proceedings to the list in subsection (1) may amend an enactment so as to extend the time limit for instituting those proceedings in such a way as appears necessary or expedient in order to facilitate the conciliation process provided for by section 18A.

(10) An order under subsection (8) that removes employment tribunal proceedings from the list in subsection (1) may—

(a) repeal or revoke any provision of an enactment that, for the purpose mentioned in subsection (9), extends the time limit for instituting those proceedings;

(b) make further amendments which are consequential on that repeal or revocation.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 18 substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a) (with s. 16(2)); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F2 S. 18(1)(a) substituted by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 31(a) (as inserted) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)

F3 Words in s. 18(1)(b) inserted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 15, Sch. 1 para. 16; S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F4 Words in s. 18(1)(b) inserted (1.10.2004) by Employment Relations Act 2004 (c. 24), ss. 57(1), 59(3)(4), Sch. 1 para. 25; S.I. 2004/2566, art. 3(b) (subject to arts. 4-8)

F5 Words in s. 18(1)(b) inserted (27.4.2003) by 2002 c. 22, ss. 53, 55(2), Sch. 7 para. 23(2)(a); S.I. 2003/1190, art. 2(2)(b)

F6 S. 18(1)(c) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 31(b) (as inserted) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)

F7 Words in s. 18(1)(d) inserted (6.4.2003) by 2002 c. 22, s. 53, Sch. 7 para. 23(2)(b)(i)(ii); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(1)-(3), Sch. 1 Pt. 3

F8 Words in s. 18(1)(d) substituted (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 11(1); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

F9 Words in s. 18(1)(d) inserted (6.4.2010 for specified purposes) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), s. 269(4), Sch. 1 para. 16; S.I. 2010/303, art. 4, Sch. 3

F10 S. 18(1)(dd) inserted (1.11.1998 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.4.1999) by 1998 c. 39, s. 30(1) (with s. 36); S.I. 1998/2574, art. 2, Sch. 1, Sch. 2

F11 Word in s. 18(1)(e) omitted (1.10.1998) by virtue of S.I. 1998/1833, reg. 33(a)

F12 Words in s. 18(1)(f) inserted (6.4.2003) by 2002 c. 22, s. 53, Sch. 7 para. 23(2)(c); S.I. 2002/2866, art. 2(1)-(3), Sch. 1 Pt. 3

F13 Word in s. 18(1)(f) omitted (15.1.2000) by virtue of S.I. 1999/3323, reg. 33(1)

F14 S. 18(1)(ff) and word “or" immediately preceding inserted (1.10.1998) by S.I. 1998/1833, reg. 33(b)

F15 Word at the end of s. 18(1)(g) omitted (1.10.2002) by virtue of S.I. 2002/2034, reg. 11 Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 2(a)(i)

F16 S. 18(1)(h) and word “or" immediately preceding it inserted (1.7.2000) by S.I. 2000/1551, reg. 10, Sch. para. 1(a)(ii)

F17 Words in s. 18(1)(h) inserted (1.5.2001) by S.I. 2001/1107, reg. 2

F18 S. 18(1)(i)(j) inserted (1.10.2002) by S.I. 2002/2034, reg. 11 Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 2(a)(ii)

F19 Word in s. 18(1)(i) omitted (1.12.2003) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1661), reg. 39, Sch. 5 para. 1(a)(i)

F20 Word in s. 18(1) omitted (2.12.2003) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1660), reg. 39(2), Sch. 5 para. 1(a)(i)

F21 S. 18(1)(k) and preceding word inserted (1.12.2003) by The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1661), reg. 39, Sch. 5 para. 1(a)(ii)

F22 S. 18(1)(k) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 31(b) (as inserted) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)

F23 S. 18(1)(l) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 31(b) (as inserted) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)

F24 S. 18(1)(l) and preceding word inserted (2.12.2003) by The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1660), reg. 39(2), Sch. 5 para. 1(a)(ii)

F25 S. 18(1)(m) inserted (24.12.2003) by The Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/3049), reg. 20, Sch. 2 para. 2(2)

F26 Word at the end of s. 18(1)(m) repealed (6.4.2005) by The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3426), reg. 34(a) (with reg. 3)

F27 S. 18(1)(n) and preceding word inserted (8.10.2004) after paragraph (m) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2326), reg. 46

F28 S. 18(1)(n) inserted (16.8.2004) by The Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1713), reg. 22, Sch. 2 para. 1(2)

F29 S. 18(1)(n) renumbered as s. 18(1)(o) (6.4.2005) by virtue of The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3426), reg. 34(b) (with reg. 3)

F30 Word at the end of s. 18(1)(o) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/349), reg. 17, Sch. para. 9(a)

F31 S. 18(1)(p) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2005) by The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3426), reg. 34(c) (with reg. 3)

F32 S. 18(1)(q) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2006) by The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/349), reg. 17, Sch. para. 9(b)

F33 Word at the end of s. 18(1)(p) omitted (1.10.2006) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 49(1), Sch. 8 para. 19(2) (with reg. 44)

F34 Word at the end of s. 18(1)(q) omitted (18.8.2006) by virtue of The European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), reg. 35(a)

F35 S. 18(1)(r) and preceding word inserted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 49(1), Sch. 8 para. 19(3) (with reg. 44)

F36 S. 18(1)(r) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 31(b) (as inserted) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)

F37 S. 18(1)(s) and preceding word inserted (18.8.2006) by The European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), reg. 35(b)

F38 Word in s. 18(1)(s) omitted (27.7.2008) by virtue of The Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1660), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 1(a)(i)

F39 S. 18(1)(t) and preceding word inserted (15.12.2007) by virtue of The Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2974), reg. 52(b)

F40 S. 18(1)(u) and word inserted (27.7.2008) by The Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1660), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 1(a)(ii)

F41 Word in s. 18(1) omitted (1.10.2009) by virtue of The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Great Britain) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2401), regs. 1(2), 33 (with regs. 4, 41)

F42 S. 18(1)(v) and word inserted (1.10.2009) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Great Britain) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2401), regs. 1(2), 33 (with regs. 4, 41)

F43 Word in s. 18(1)(u) omitted (2.3.2010) by virtue of The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/493), regs. 1(b), 17(4)(a)

F44 S. 18(1)(w) and word inserted (2.3.2010) by The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/493), regs. 1(b) ,17(4)(b)

F45 Word in s. 18(1) omitted (1.10.2011) by virtue of The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(a)(i)

F46 S. 18(1)(v) and word inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 56(6), 149(1); S.I. 2012/1682, art. 2, Sch. 2

F47 S. 18(1)(x) and word inserted (1.10.2011) by The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(a)(ii)

F48 S. 18(2A) repealed (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 6(1), 22(1)(a), Sch. Pt. 1; S.I. 2008/3232, art. 2 (with art. 3, Sch.)

F49 S. 18(2A) inserted (9.7.2004) by 2002 c. 22, ss. 24(2), 55(2); S.I. 2004/1717, art. 2(1)

F50 Words in s. 18(3) substituted (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 5(2), 22(1)(a); S.I. 2008/3232, art. 2 (with art. 3, Sch.)

F51 S. 18(5) substituted (6.4.2009) by Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), ss. 5(3), 22(1)(a); S.I. 2008/3232, art. 2 (with art. 3, Sch.)

F52 Words in s. 18(8) inserted (1.12.2007) by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), ss. 48(1), 148, Sch. 8 para. 38; S.I. 2007/2709, art. 4

F53 Words in s 18(8) substituted for s. 18(8)(a)(b) (25.4.2013 for specified purposes, 6.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 9(2), 103(1)(i)(3); S.I. 2014/253, art. 3(d)

F54 S. 18(9)(10) inserted (25.4.2013 for specified purposes, 6.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (c. 24), ss. 9(3), 103(1)(i)(3); S.I. 2014/253, art. 3(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 18 applied (6.4.2006 with application as mentioned in reg. 21(1) of the applying S.I.) by The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 16(1) (with reg. 21(5))

S. 18 applied (6.4.2006 with application as mentioned in reg. 21(1) of the applying S.I.) by The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/246), reg. 12(7)

C2 S. 18(1)(d) amended (4.9.2000) by 1999 c. 26, s. 14(b); S.I. 2000/2242, art. 2(1)

S. 18(1)(d) extended (6.6.2000) by S.I. 2000/1299, art. 2

C3 S. 18(1)(f) applied (6.6.2000) by S.I. 2000/1229, art. 3

Marginal Citations

M1 1992 c. 52.

M2 1996 c. 18.

M3 S.I. 1998/1833.

M4 1996 c. 18.