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How to Refer a Dispute to the CCMA in South Africa

How to refer an unfair-dismissal or other labour dispute to the CCMA using LRA Form 7.11, including the time limits to watch and what to do if you are late.

Step by step

What referring to the CCMA means

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, or CCMA, resolves many workplace disputes, including unfair dismissals, between employees and employers. Referring a dispute simply means formally asking the CCMA to deal with it, which you do on a standard form under the Labour Relations Act. CluedUp is an independent explainer and not the CCMA, so this is general information rather than legal advice. Because time limits and procedures can change, confirm the current position with the CCMA before you act, especially on deadlines.

The right forum and the right form

First, check that the CCMA is the correct forum, as some sectors have a bargaining council that handles their disputes instead. If the CCMA is right for you, the referral is made on LRA Form 7.11. You can get the form free from a CCMA office, from a Department of Employment and Labour office, or by downloading it from ccma.org.za. The form is short, and you do not need a lawyer or a paid consultant to complete or lodge it; the process is built to be used directly by employees.

Watch the time limit

Deadlines matter a great deal at the CCMA. As of 2026, an unfair-dismissal dispute must generally be referred within 30 days of the dismissal, and this is counted in calendar days, including weekends and public holidays. Other dispute types carry different, often longer, limits. Because these periods are strict and can change, confirm the current time limit for your specific dispute with the CCMA rather than relying on memory or on an old guide. If you are already past the deadline, you are not automatically shut out, as explained below.

Completing, serving and lodging

Fill in the form with your details, your employer’s details and a clear account of the dispute, including the date of dismissal or the date the dispute arose. You must then serve a copy on your employer and keep proof that they received it, such as a signed acknowledgement, a registered-post receipt or a courier slip. Finally, lodge the completed form with the CCMA together with that proof of service. The CCMA accepts referrals through several channels, so check the current methods with them.

If you are late, and getting help

Missing the deadline does not necessarily end your case. You can apply for condonation, explaining why the referral is late, why you believe the dismissal was unfair, and any prejudice you would suffer. A commissioner then decides whether to accept the late referral. For any uncertainty, contact the CCMA directly through its national call centre or website, or visit a CCMA office; the service is free, and staff can help you find the right forum and the right form.

What usually happens next

Once your referral is accepted, the CCMA typically sets the matter down for conciliation, an informal meeting where a commissioner tries to help you and your employer reach a settlement. If conciliation does not resolve it, many dismissal disputes then proceed to arbitration, which is a more formal hearing, usually referred on a separate form. You can represent yourself throughout, bring a co-worker or a union representative where permitted, and you are not obliged to hire anyone. Keep copies of every document, note the dates you are given, and arrive on time, because missing a scheduled session can count against you. Knowing this broad shape of the process ahead of time makes the first step far less daunting, but the details and current forms should always be confirmed with the CCMA itself, since this guide is general information and not legal advice.

CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.