Question 1

How do I refer a dispute to the CCMA in South Africa?

Accepted Answer

To refer a dispute to the CCMA, you must complete LRA Form 7.11 (the referral of dispute form), serve a copy on the other party (by fax, registered mail, courier, or in person with proof), and submit the form to the CCMA along with proof of service. The CCMA will then schedule a conciliation hearing. The CCMA DIY Assistant guides you through every field of Form 7.11 with plain-language explanations and generates the completed PDF.

Question 2

What is the CCMA 30-day deadline and does it include weekends?

Accepted Answer

Under Section 191 of the Labour Relations Act, an employee who has been unfairly dismissed must refer the dispute to the CCMA within 30 calendar days of the date of dismissal — or within 30 days of the date on which the internal appeal was concluded, if an internal appeal process was followed. The 30 days include weekends and public holidays. The CCMA DIY Assistant calculates your exact deadline the moment you enter your dismissal date.

Question 3

What happens if I miss the CCMA 30-day deadline?

Accepted Answer

If you miss the 30-day referral window, you must apply for condonation of late referral. This is a separate application in which you must show good cause for the delay — explaining why the referral was late and why it would be fair for the CCMA to hear the dispute despite the delay. Condonation is not guaranteed. The CCMA DIY Assistant generates a condonation motivation automatically if your deadline has passed — at no extra charge.

Question 4

What is LRA Form 7.11?

Accepted Answer

LRA Form 7.11 is the official CCMA dispute referral form under the Labour Relations Act. It captures the parties' details, the nature of the dispute (unfair dismissal, unfair labour practice, etc.), the date of the act or omission, and the relief sought. It must be served on the employer and submitted to the CCMA with proof of service. Errors in completing Form 7.11 can make the referral defective and deprive the CCMA of jurisdiction. The CCMA DIY Assistant validates every field before generating the PDF.

Question 5

Can I go to the CCMA without a lawyer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Legal representation is not permitted at CCMA conciliation hearings — only the parties themselves, trade union representatives (if the employee is a member), and employer organisation representatives (if the employer is a member) may attend. At arbitration, legal representation requires the consent of the other party or the commissioner's permission. The CCMA DIY Assistant prepares you for conciliation without legal representation. For arbitration, it provides a directory of free legal assistance options.

Question 6

What is the difference between CCMA conciliation and arbitration?

Accepted Answer

Conciliation is a settlement process facilitated by a CCMA commissioner. Both parties attend, the commissioner helps them reach a voluntary agreement, and legal representation is not allowed. If conciliation fails, the commissioner issues a certificate of outcome. Arbitration is a formal hearing where the commissioner acts as an adjudicator and makes a binding award. Legal representation at arbitration requires either the consent of the other party or the commissioner's permission. The CCMA DIY Assistant prepares you for the conciliation phase.

Question 7

How much does the CCMA DIY Assistant cost?

Accepted Answer

The CCMA DIY Assistant costs R199 per case — a single one-time payment that includes all four phases: dispute classification and deadline calculation, Form 7.11 PDF generation (with condonation motivation if needed at no extra charge), deadline notifications for 12 months, document vault (50MB), conciliation preparation pack, and Form 7.13 for arbitration referral. The product is honest about what it provides: procedural guidance and form completion, not legal advice.

Option	Cost	Gap
Labour attorney	R1,500–R5,000+	Unaffordable for most dismissed employees
Trade union	Membership required	Many employees are non-unionised
CCMA self-help guides	Free	Not interactive — do not complete the form or track the deadline
Legal Aid SA	Free	Does not cover most CCMA referrals
Law clinics	Free	Limited capacity and geographic reach

Guided CCMA dispute navigation. No attorney required. R199 per case.

No comparable product exists in the South African market.

Four phases. From dismissal to arbitration-referred.

Intake and Classification

Form 7.11 Completion

Conciliation Preparation

Arbitration Referral

You were fired. You have rights. We will show you exactly what to do.

Common questions

Talk to Wandile directly