CCMA Representation
Professional employer representation before the CCMA and Bargaining Councils, helping businesses resolve workplace disputes with confidence.
What we cover.
Conciliation
Skilled negotiation at conciliation to resolve disputes early and avoid unnecessary arbitration where sensible.
Arbitration
Full arbitration representation — leading evidence, cross-examining witnesses and presenting closing argument.
Employer Representation
We appear on your behalf so managers spend less time in hearings and more time running the business.
Bargaining Councils
Representation at all major Bargaining Councils including MEIBC, MIBCO, NBCCI, NBCRFLI and the SABC.
Case Preparation
Thorough case strategy, document review, legal analysis and evidence bundles ready for the commissioner.
Witness Preparation
Structured witness preparation that builds confidence and ensures clear evidence under cross-examination.
Settlement Negotiations
Commercially astute settlement discussions that resolve disputes without setting an unwanted precedent.
Time-Sensitive
Received a CCMA Referral?
Time limits apply. Contact us as soon as possible so we can assess your matter, protect your interests and advise you on the appropriate next steps.
How CCMA representation works
From the moment the referral arrives, this is how we handle your matter.
- 01
Review the referral
We check the referral, the dates and the forum, and tell you whether it was lodged on time and what the employee is actually claiming.
- 02
Build the case
We review your documents, identify the evidence and witnesses that matter and set out a case strategy that is honest about the strengths and weaknesses.
- 03
Conciliation
At conciliation a commissioner helps the parties try to settle. We negotiate for a commercially sensible outcome and tell you when a settlement is better than arbitration.
- 04
Prepare for arbitration
If the dispute is not resolved we prepare the bundle of documents, brief your witnesses on what to expect and plan how evidence will be led.
- 05
Arbitration
We present your case, lead your witnesses, cross-examine the employee's evidence and make closing arguments to the commissioner.
- 06
After the award
We explain the award, what you must do to comply and whether there are grounds to take it on review. Review deadlines are short, so we advise you early.
Why time limits and preparation matter
The CCMA process runs on strict deadlines. An employee has 30 days from the date of dismissal to refer an unfair dismissal dispute, and 90 days for an unfair labour practice dispute. A late referral can still proceed if the commissioner grants condonation, so an employer cannot assume a late referral will simply be thrown out.
A commissioner must try to resolve the dispute at conciliation, normally within 30 days of the referral. If conciliation fails, the matter can go to arbitration. In a dismissal case it is the employer who must prove that the dismissal was fair, which is why a documented, well-run disciplinary process is so valuable.
An arbitration award is binding unless it is taken on review to the Labour Court, and an application to review must be brought within six weeks of the award. Missing a deadline can be very costly, so act as soon as a referral arrives.
Common questions
Straight answers to the questions employers ask when they first receive a CCMA referral.
Need Professional Labour Law Assistance?
Speak to one of our experienced consultants and let us help you protect your business through practical, legally compliant workplace solutions.