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ChecklistLabour LawMedium
CCMA Checklist
Preparation checklist for CCMA referral, conciliation, and arbitration steps.
Time to prepare2-4 hours
Before you start
0/4 completedNeed help with this checklist?
Get support from a lawyer who works with labour law matters.
Before the appointment or hearing
0/6 completedOn the day
0/4 completedAfterwards
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You were dismissed, disciplined, retrenched, suspended, or affected by an unfair labour practice.
You need to refer or attend a CCMA conciliation, con-arb, or arbitration.
You need a short evidence pack before speaking to a labour lawyer.
Not For
- Disputes that must go to a bargaining council, statutory council, Labour Court, or private process.
- Final legal strategy on prospects, compensation, reinstatement, review, or enforcement.
Documents
- ID document or passport
- LRA Form 7.11 or relevant CCMA form and proof of service
- Employment contract and job description
- Payslips, leave records, time records, and benefit records
- Warnings, disciplinary notices, minutes, outcome letters, and dismissal letter
- Emails, messages, policies, photos, recordings, and witness list
Timeline
- Same day: save notices, dismissal letters, and key evidence.
- Before referral: check the dispute deadline and correct forum.
- Before hearing: serve documents, organise evidence, and prepare settlement instructions.
- After hearing: save the outcome and calendar the next deadline.
Tips
- Use one timeline with dates, people, documents, and what happened.
- Take copies for yourself, the commissioner, and the other party if the process is in person.
- Do not rely only on memory; export messages and emails before access changes.
- Get advice urgently if the matter is late, complex, or linked to Labour Court.
Warning Signs
- The referral deadline has passed or is close.
- The employer says a bargaining council, private arbitration clause, or Labour Court process applies.
- You are being asked to sign a settlement immediately.
- There are multiple employees, discrimination allegations, retrenchment consultation issues, or large financial consequences.
Official sources
- CCMA LRA Form 7.11 referral instructionsReferral form purpose, service proof, forum routing, and conciliation timing.
- CCMA employee referral guideReferral completion, service on employer, and practical referral flow.
- Labour Relations Act and Code of Good Practice: DismissalDismissal fairness, unfair dismissal, and labour-dispute context.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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