What is conciliation distinguish between arbitration and conciliation?

Asked by: Rodrigo Stroman PhD  |  Last update: December 25, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (73 votes)

An arbitration is a formal process, with countries arguing their case before an Arbitral Tribunal. The Tribunal makes a decision which is legally binding on the parties. By contrast, the function of conciliation is to assist countries resolve their dispute amicably, rather than adjudicate between the parties.

What do you mean by conciliation?

Conciliation is a voluntary process in which a professional facilitator assists employers and employees to resolve disputes when their own unassisted efforts have not succeeded. The process can be described as a facilitated search for agreement between disputing parties.

What comes first conciliation or arbitration?

Regardless of whether the old or the new system is applied the process always begins with conciliation. This is a peace-making process whereby a CCMA or bargaining council (BC) mediator tries to assist the employer and employee to reach an out-of-court agreement.

What is the meaning of the arbitration and conciliation act?

ACT No. 26 OF 1996. [16th August, 1996.] An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to domestic arbitration, international commercial arbitration and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards as also to define the law relating to conciliation and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

What is conciliation process under Arbitration and Conciliation Act?

1. The party initiating conciliation shall send to the other party a written invitation to conciliate under this part, briefly identifying the subject of the dispute. 2. Conciliation proceedings shall commence when the other party accepts in writing the invita- tion to conciliate.

How is Conciliation different from Mediation?

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What is conciliation and difference between conciliation and arbitration?

An arbitration is a formal process, with countries arguing their case before an Arbitral Tribunal. The Tribunal makes a decision which is legally binding on the parties. By contrast, the function of conciliation is to assist countries resolve their dispute amicably, rather than adjudicate between the parties.

What is an example of a conciliation?

Collective conciliation is used to resolve disputes about:
  • annual pay reviews.
  • other pay issues.
  • contract terms and conditions.
  • changes in working practices.
  • discipline and dismissal, if an employee representative or a group of people are involved.
  • redundancy consultation and redundancy selection.
  • trade union recognition.

What are the benefits of conciliation over arbitration?

Benefits of conciliation
  • Lower costs. Settling your dispute through conciliation will generally be less costly as it takes less time. ...
  • More control over the outcome. You and the other party are in control of whether to settle the dispute and the details of your settlement. ...
  • Confidential discussions.

Is arbitration legally binding?

While parties are not required to have an attorney to participate in arbitration, arbitration is a final, legally-binding process that may impact a party's rights. As such, parties may want to consider consulting an attorney at any time before, during, or after the arbitration.

What is the objective of arbitration and conciliation?

to make provisions for a process of carrying out the arbitration proceedings which is fair, efficient and has the capacity to bring the parties to dispute to an amicable resolution.

What happens if conciliation fails?

In case of failure of conciliation (FOC) a report is sent to Government (IR Desks in Ministry of Labour). The Ministry of Labour after considering the FOC Report exercises the powers available to it under Section 10 of the Industrial Disputes Act and either refers the dispute for adjudication or refuses to do so.

Is conciliation mandatory before arbitration?

In fact, the Act prescribes several safeguards28 to ensure that in event of a dispute, if parties choose to conciliate first, followed by arbitration (such an arrangement being spontaneous to the dispute, not a 'necessary' precursor to arbitration and therefore, not in the nature of a multi-tiered dispute resolution ...

How long does conciliation take?

Deadlines for early conciliation

If you start early conciliation before the deadline, you'll have at least 1 month after it ends to make your claim to a tribunal. Sometimes, you'll have more than 1 month because starting early conciliation extends the deadline for making a claim. Early conciliation lasts up to 6 weeks.

What is the purpose of the conciliation?

Conciliation gives the person who made the complaint (the complainant) and the person or organisation being complained about (the respondent) the opportunity to talk about the issues in the complaint and try to resolve the matter themselves. Conciliation is not like a court hearing.

What does arbitration mean?

Arbitration is a procedure in which a dispute is submitted, by agreement of the parties, to one or more arbitrators who make a binding decision on the dispute. In choosing arbitration, the parties opt for a private dispute resolution procedure instead of going to court.

What are the disadvantages of conciliation?

The disadvantages of conciliation are:
  • It relies on both parties to accept the conciliator's decision.
  • It could be considered as too informal and not taken seriously.
  • The conciliation process isn't legally binding.

Who usually wins in arbitration?

An empirical study conducted by economic firm ndp | analytics and released by ILR shows that employees and consumers win more money, more often, and more quickly in arbitration than in a lawsuit. Employees were more likely to win in arbitration (almost 38 percent) than in a lawsuit (almost 11 percent).

Is it better to settle or go to arbitration?

In most cases, arbitration tends to be more cost-effective. While arbitrator's fees can be significant, the overall expenses are generally lower because of limited discovery and quicker resolution.

What is the full meaning of conciliation?

/kənˌsɪl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/ the action or process of ending a disagreement, often by discussion between the groups or people involved: All attempts at conciliation failed and the dispute continued. He prefers compromise and conciliation to confrontation.

Why do we need conciliation?

The importance of conciliation is that in other proceeding decision is given by the presiding authority & it is binding accordingly. But in conciliation there is amicable settlement where parties themselves have reached to the decision i.e. settlement & which is binding as per their decision.

What are two disadvantages of arbitration?

If one party feels the decision is erroneous, there is very limited opportunity to correct it. There are many cases in which arbitration can become more expensive than court proceedings. Quality arbitrators can demand substantial fees that would not apply in court.

What is the main difference between arbitration and conciliation?

Main Difference – Arbitration involves a neutral third party rendering a legally binding decision after considering the arguments of both parties, while conciliation revolves around a mediator facilitating communication and negotiation to help the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

What comes after conciliation?

Should the dispute not be resolved by conciliation, the applicant party will be required to apply for arbitration if they still want to pursue that dispute.

When to use arbitration?

Arbitration has four types of functions: resolving contractual disputes between management and labor, addressing interests of different parties in bargaining situations such as public sector labor relations, settling litigated claims through court-annexed programs, and resolving community disputes.

How do you settle a dispute?

Resolving a dispute
  1. Compile your facts and evidence. Document the key details of the dispute. ...
  2. Keep calm and remain objective. ...
  3. Think of creative solutions. ...
  4. Talk to the other party. ...
  5. Formally write to the other party. ...
  6. Seek assistance. ...
  7. Contact us.