What is the CCMA and what does it do?

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is an independent dispute resolution body established by the Labour Relations Act (Act 66 of 1995). It provides free services to resolve workplace disputes between employers and employees in South Africa. The CCMA handles disputes about unfair dismissal, unfair labour practices, severance pay, unfair discrimination, and other employment-related matters. It aims to resolve disputes through conciliation (negotiation with a commissioner) and, if that fails, through arbitration (a binding decision by a commissioner).

What is the LRA 7.11 form (also called the CCMA 7.11) and when do I need it?

The LRA Form 7.11 and the CCMA 7.11 are the same form, officially titled "Referring a Dispute to the CCMA for Conciliation (including Con-Arb)". "LRA 7.11" refers to its origin under the Labour Relations Act; "CCMA 7.11" is the everyday name based on where you file it. You need this form when you want the CCMA to intervene in a dispute with your employer, for example, if you were unfairly dismissed, retrenched without proper process, subjected to an unfair labour practice, or not paid the national minimum wage. The form can be submitted by employees, trade unions, employers, or employers’ organisations.

What is the deadline for referring a dispute to the CCMA?

The deadline depends on the dispute type. Unfair dismissal: 30 days from the date of dismissal. Unfair labour practice: 90 days from the act or omission. Unfair discrimination under EEA Section 10: 6 months (180 days) from the discriminatory act. BCEA compliance orders: the date specified in the order. Missed the deadline? You can apply for condonation, a request to accept a late referral, with a good reason, though it is not guaranteed. Act quickly: count the days from the date the dispute arose and submit well before the deadline.

What is the difference between conciliation and con-arb?

Conciliation is a process where an independent CCMA commissioner facilitates negotiations between the parties to try to reach a settlement. It is an informal process and no formal evidence is led. If conciliation fails, the dispute can proceed to arbitration: a more formal hearing where the commissioner listens to evidence and makes a binding decision (award). Con-arb is a streamlined process where conciliation and arbitration happen on the same day: if the commissioner cannot resolve the dispute through conciliation, they proceed directly to arbitration without the employee needing to file a separate referral. Con-arb is the default for most dismissal disputes.

What happens after I submit the LRA 7.11 form to the CCMA?

After receiving your referral, the CCMA will assign a case number and schedule a conciliation hearing within 30 days. Both parties will be notified of the date, time, and venue. A CCMA commissioner will facilitate the conciliation process. If the dispute is resolved, the parties sign a settlement agreement which is binding. If conciliation fails, the commissioner issues a certificate of non-resolution and the dispute can proceed to arbitration (or to the Labour Court for certain matters). For con-arb cases, arbitration follows immediately on the same day.

Do I need a lawyer to refer a dispute to the CCMA?

No, you do not need a lawyer. The CCMA process is designed to be accessible to all workers, including those who cannot afford legal representation. At conciliation, legal representatives are not permitted unless both parties agree. At arbitration, legal representatives are only allowed in specific circumstances, for example, if a party is a juristic entity (company) and agrees, or if the commissioner grants permission because of the complexity of the case. Many workers successfully refer disputes and attend CCMA hearings on their own or with the help of a trade union representative or a friend.

What evidence should I bring to the CCMA hearing?

Bring all documents relevant to your dispute: your employment contract or letter of appointment, payslips (at least the last 3 months), the dismissal letter or notice, any written warnings you received, correspondence with your employer about the dispute (emails, letters, WhatsApp messages), witness statements, your work schedule or roster, and any recordings or photographs that support your case. Organise your documents chronologically and make at least two copies, one for the commissioner and one for the other party. The better prepared you are with documentary evidence, the stronger your case.

Can I refer a dispute if I was retrenched?

Yes. If you were retrenched (dismissed for operational requirements), you can refer a dispute to the CCMA if you believe the retrenchment was procedurally unfair (the employer did not follow the proper consultation process under Section 189 of the LRA) or substantively unfair (there was no genuine operational requirement). However, if your employer employs more than 10 workers and is retrenching more than a certain number, the dispute may need to go to the Labour Court rather than the CCMA. You must still refer within 30 days of the retrenchment date.

What remedies can the CCMA award?

For unfair dismissal, the CCMA can order reinstatement (getting your job back with back pay), re-employment (being employed in a different position), or compensation of up to 12 months’ salary (or 24 months for automatically unfair dismissals such as dismissal for union activity, pregnancy, or discrimination). For unfair labour practices, the CCMA can order the employer to pay compensation of up to 12 months’ remuneration. For severance pay disputes, the CCMA can order the employer to pay the statutory minimum of one week’s remuneration per completed year of service.

What if I missed the 30-day deadline to refer my dispute?

If you missed the 30-day deadline (90 days for unfair labour practice, or 6 months for unfair discrimination), you can apply for condonation, a request for the CCMA to accept your late referral. You must complete the referral form and include a written explanation of why you missed the deadline, how long the delay was, and what steps you took to refer the dispute as soon as possible. The CCMA commissioner will consider factors such as the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, whether you have a good case on the merits, and whether the other party will be prejudiced by the late referral. Condonation is not automatic. You must provide a compelling reason.

Is the CCMA service free?

Yes, the CCMA’s dispute resolution services are completely free of charge. There are no filing fees, hearing fees, or costs for using the CCMA. This makes the CCMA accessible to all workers, regardless of their financial situation. The CCMA also provides free advisory services. You can contact the CCMA on 0861 16 16 16 or visit a walk-in centre to get information about your rights and the dispute referral process before filing the form.

Where can I download the CCMA 7.11 form (LRA Form 7.11) as a PDF?

The CCMA 7.11 form, officially called LRA Form 7.11, is available free from the CCMA website (ccma.org.za) and the Department of Employment and Labour (labour.gov.za). "CCMA 7.11", "LRA 7.11", and "Form 7.11" are all names for the same dispute referral form. You can fill it in online using FillMeIn, download the completed PDF, and then serve and submit it, no printing a blank form and handwriting it.

Can I open a CCMA case online?

The CCMA does not have a fully online case submission system. You must submit the completed LRA Form 7.11 in person at a CCMA office, by fax, email, or registered post. You can prepare online: fill in the LRA 7.11 on FillMeIn, download the completed PDF, serve a copy on your employer (registered post or hand delivery with signed receipt), and submit the full package with proof of service to your nearest CCMA office. The CCMA has offices in all major cities. Find the nearest at ccma.org.za.

Why are some lines on my completed LRA 7.11 PDF left blank?

The printed form repeats the same block of labels (Length of Service, ID Number, Salary, Gender, Age, Nationality, Postal Address) in three places: your own details, the "Alternative contact details" block, and section 1(b) for organisations. For the alternative contact (a representative, relative or friend) the CCMA only needs their name and how to reach them (telephone, cell and e-mail), so the repeated employment details are intentionally left blank. Likewise, section 1(b) applies only when a trade union, employer or organisation refers the dispute, and fields like salary or gender do not apply to an organisation. Blank lines in these blocks will not cause your referral to be rejected.

Is my personal information safe when using FillMeIn to fill the LRA 7.11?

Yes. FillMeIn processes all your data entirely on your device. Your personal details, ID number, employment information, and all form data never leave your phone or computer. Nothing is sent to our servers or stored in the cloud. This privacy-first approach means your sensitive employment dispute information stays under your control at all times. Since nothing is uploaded, a dropped connection during load shedding won't interrupt filling in the form or generating the PDF. Print it when you're ready to submit to the CCMA.

LRA 7.11: CCMA Dispute Referral

Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration · Verified 23 August 2026

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The LRA Form 7.11 refers a workplace dispute (unfair dismissal, retrenchment, or an unfair labour practice) to the CCMA for conciliation.

Key facts (3)

Official source: ccma.org.za
Processing time: The CCMA aims to hold conciliation within 30 days of the referral
Submit to: CCMA regional office where the dispute arose

Download blank LRA 7.11 PDF ↓

Filling it in online flags the blank fields and missing signatures that get forms rejected.