What Is a 7.11 Referral Form?, How to Complete, Serve and Refer a Dispute to the CCMA (LRA Form 7.11)

Last reviewed: 22 May 2026

If you have been unfairly dismissed, discriminated against at work, or are locked in a dispute with your employer over wages, promotion or any other employment matter, the first formal step toward resolution is understanding what is a 7. 11 referral form and how to use it correctly. LRA Form 7. 11 is the official document prescribed by the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA) that an employee, trade union, employer or employers’ organisation uses to refer a dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for conciliation, and, where applicable, for con‑arb.

Filing it on time, completing every field accurately, and serving a copy on the other party are the non‑negotiable requirements that determine whether the CCMA will accept your case. This guide walks through every deadline, every form field, and every practical step, from downloading the CCMA dispute form to receiving your conciliation certificate.

Quick Answer, What Is a 7.11 Referral Form?

LRA Form 7.11 is the CCMA’s prescribed case referral form for referring a dispute to the CCMA for conciliation, including optional con‑arb (conciliation‑arbitration). It is the document that officially opens your case at the CCMA and triggers the statutory dispute‑resolution process under the Labour Relations Act.

• Who completes it. Any employee, trade union acting on behalf of a member, employer, or employers’ organisation that is party to a labour dispute falling within the CCMA’s jurisdiction.
• When to use it. Whenever you need to refer an unresolved workplace dispute, unfair dismissal, unfair labour practice, discrimination, or other LRA‑covered matter, for conciliation at the CCMA (or at a bargaining council with CCMA jurisdiction).
• What it triggers. Once filed and served correctly, the CCMA assigns a commissioner to conciliate the dispute, typically within 30 days. If conciliation fails and con‑arb applies, arbitration can follow immediately.

When You Must Refer, Time Limits and Key Deadlines

Missing the CCMA time limits is one of the most common reasons disputes are dismissed before they are even heard. The Labour Relations Act sets strict referral windows that begin running from the date the dispute arose, usually the date of dismissal or the date of the act or omission complained of. Late referrals require a formal condonation application, and the CCMA grants condonation only where the applicant demonstrates good cause for the delay.

The table below summarises the critical deadlines for referring a dispute to the CCMA for conciliation using Form 7.11, as well as the subsequent window for requesting arbitration on Form 7.13 if conciliation fails.

Condonation: If you are outside the deadline, you may apply for condonation by filing a written explanation alongside your Form 7.11. The CCMA considers the length of the delay, the reasons for it, the prospects of success, and prejudice to the other party. Condonation is not guaranteed, treating the deadline as absolute is the safest approach.

Who Can Complete Form 7.11 and Where to File It

The CCMA accepts Form 7.11 referrals from several categories of disputants. The referring party must have legal standing in the dispute and the dispute must fall within the CCMA’s jurisdiction under the LRA.

• Employees, including former employees who have been dismissed.
• Trade unions, acting on behalf of one or more members.
• Employers, who wish to refer a mutual‑interest dispute or a dispute over interpretation.
• Employers’ organisations, on behalf of member employers.

Where to file: If a bargaining council with jurisdiction over your sector exists, you must usually refer the dispute to that council rather than the CCMA. If no council has jurisdiction, or if the council lacks capacity, the dispute goes to the CCMA. You can file at the CCMA regional office nearest the workplace, or through the CCMA online referral portal.

Step-by-Step: Completing LRA Form 7.11 (Annotated Field-by-Field)

Understanding how to do a CCMA referral correctly begins with completing every section of the form without errors. The form is divided into distinct parts, each collecting specific information the commissioner will need. Below is an annotated walkthrough of the key fields.

Part A, Referring Party Details

• Full name and surname. Use the name that appears on your identity document.
• ID number. Your South African ID number or passport number if a foreign national.
• Contact details. Physical address, postal address, telephone number and email address. Provide a reliable contact, the CCMA will use these details to send notices and hearing dates.
• Representative details. If a trade union or legal representative is acting on your behalf, provide their name, organisation and contact details here.

Part B, Respondent (Employer) Details

• Employer’s registered name and trading name. Use the exact name that appears on your employment contract or payslip, accuracy prevents jurisdictional challenges.
• Employer’s physical and postal address. The address of the workplace or the employer’s registered office.
• Contact person at the employer. Typically the HR manager or the person who handled the disciplinary or dispute process.

Part C, Nature of the Dispute

• Type of dispute. Select the applicable category code, for example, “Unfair Dismissal, Misconduct,” “Unfair Dismissal, Operational Requirements,” “Unfair Labour Practice,” or “Unfair Discrimination.” Choosing the wrong code can cause procedural delays.
• Date dispute arose. This is the date you were dismissed, or the date of the act or omission complained of. Be precise, the CCMA calculates your deadline from this date.
• Brief description of the dispute. Provide a concise, factual summary. For an unfair dismissal based on misconduct, for example: “I was dismissed on [date] for alleged [charge]. The dismissal was substantively and procedurally unfair because [brief reason, e.g., no hearing was held / the sanction was disproportionate].”
• Number of employees affected. State whether the dispute involves one employee or multiple employees (relevant for retrenchments).

Part D, Relief Sought

• Reinstatement, return to the same position under the same conditions.
• Re‑employment, employment on different terms or in a different position.
• Compensation, a monetary award (the CCMA can award up to 12 months’ remuneration for ordinary unfair dismissals, or up to 24 months for automatically unfair dismissals).
• Tick the appropriate relief or indicate all options you seek. If unsure, indicate “reinstatement and/or compensation”, the commissioner will discuss this during conciliation.

Part E, Con‑Arb Election

• Consent to or objection to con‑arb. Con‑arb (conciliation‑arbitration) allows the process to proceed immediately to arbitration if conciliation fails, without requiring a separate Form 7.13 referral. If you do not object, arbitration can follow on the same day. If you or the respondent objects, a separate arbitration referral on Form 7.13 will be required after the conciliation certificate is issued.
• Tick the relevant box clearly. Leaving this section blank may be interpreted as consent to con‑arb.

Signature and Date

Sign and date the form. An unsigned form is invalid and may be rejected. If a representative signs on your behalf, attach the written authority or power of attorney.

Download/Print vs Word vs Online Portal

The official LRA Form 7.11 is available as a PDF from the CCMA’s case referral forms page. An editable Word version is also available from the CCMA and from civil‑society organisations such as the Casual Workers Advice Office (CWAO). Alternatively, you can complete the form directly on the CCMA online referral portal, which auto‑populates certain fields and reduces formatting errors.

Serving the Form on the Employer, Acceptable Methods and Proof of Service

A referral is only valid if the referring party places the respondent (employer) in possession of a copy of the completed Form 7.11 before or at the same time as filing with the CCMA. Failure to serve is one of the most common grounds on which employers challenge the validity of a referral. The CCMA expects proof of service to accompany your filed form.

Acceptable Methods of Service

• Hand delivery. Deliver the form in person to the employer’s premises or to an authorised representative. Have the recipient sign and date an acknowledgement of receipt on a copy you retain.
• Registered post. Send the completed form via the South African Post Office’s registered mail service. Retain the tracking receipt and, where possible, a copy of the signed delivery confirmation slip.
• Email. The CCMA increasingly accepts service by email where the employer’s email address is known and in regular use for business correspondence. Request a read receipt or delivery confirmation, and retain a screenshot or printout of the sent email with the attachment.

Proof of Service, What to Retain

• A signed acknowledgement of receipt (for hand delivery).
• A registered mail tracking receipt and any delivery notification from the Post Office.
• A certified affidavit confirming the date, time, place and method of service, particularly useful where the employer refuses to sign or where delivery is contested.
• Email delivery/read receipt with the relevant metadata (sender, recipient, date, attachment name).

Sample affidavit wording: “I, [full name], ID number [number], hereby declare under oath that on [date] at approximately [time], I delivered a copy of CCMA referral Form 7.11, reference [case number if available], to [employer name] at [address/email], by [method]. A copy of the form and proof of delivery are annexed hereto as Annexure ‘A’.”

If the Employer Cannot Be Found

Where the employer has absconded, closed the business, or cannot be located at the registered address, you may apply to the CCMA for service by alternative means, for example, by affixing the form to the last known business premises or by publishing notice. Approach your nearest CCMA office for guidance on substituted service.

Filing With the CCMA, Online Referral and Offline Options

The CCMA has invested significantly in its digital infrastructure, and the CCMA 7.11 form online submission process is now the preferred filing method. Below is a step‑by‑step checklist for the CCMA online referral portal. Confirm the latest portal interface on the CCMA’s official “Refer a Dispute” page, as screen layouts may be updated periodically.

1. Navigate to the CCMA online portal. Go to the CCMA website and select “Refer a Dispute.”
2. Select the form type. Choose “LRA Form 7.11, Referral for Conciliation (including Con‑Arb).”
3. Complete all required fields. The portal mirrors the paper form, fill in Parts A through E as described above.
4. Upload supporting documents. Attach a scanned or photographed copy of the signed form, your proof of service, and any key supporting documents (e.g., dismissal letter, employment contract). Use clear file names such as “Form_7.11_Signed.pdf” and “Proof_of_Service.pdf.”
5. Review and submit. Check every field for accuracy. Once submitted, the portal generates a confirmation receipt with a reference number.
6. Save your confirmation. Download or screenshot the confirmation page immediately. This receipt is your proof of filing and records the date and time of submission.

Offline Filing Alternatives

If you cannot file online, you may deliver the completed, signed form and proof of service in person to your nearest CCMA regional office. Some CCMA offices also accept filing by email, contact the relevant regional office to confirm the accepted email address and any file‑size limits before sending.

Troubleshooting Common Online Errors

• Upload failures. Ensure each document is under the portal’s maximum file size (check the CCMA portal for current limits). Convert large files to compressed PDF format.
• Session timeouts. Draft your answers offline before starting the online form, then copy and paste to avoid losing progress.
• No confirmation received. If you do not receive a confirmation email or reference number, contact the CCMA call centre immediately to verify that your referral was captured in the system.

What Happens After Submission, Conciliation, Con‑Arb and Referrals to Arbitration (7.13)

Once the CCMA accepts your Form 7.11 as valid, the statutory dispute‑resolution process begins. Understanding this sequence is essential for managing expectations and preparing your case.

The CCMA 7.13 form is therefore the critical follow‑up document when con‑arb does not apply. Missing the 90‑day window for filing Form 7.13 after the certificate of non‑resolution effectively ends your dispute, unless condonation is granted. Industry observers note that a significant number of valid claims lapse at this stage simply because employees are unaware that a second form is required when con‑arb was objected to.

Common Pitfalls and Practical Tips

Employment law practitioners consistently identify several recurring mistakes that derail otherwise meritorious CCMA referrals. The following practical guidance reflects common counsel advice for employees navigating the 7.11 referral form process.

• Get your dates right. The single most frequent error is entering the wrong “date the dispute arose.” For unfair dismissal, this is the date of dismissal, not the date of the disciplinary hearing, the date you received the letter, or the last day you worked. An incorrect date can place you outside the 30‑day window or undermine your case at the outset.
• Preserve all evidence before filing. Before you submit Form 7.11, gather and secure copies of your employment contract, payslips, the dismissal letter, any written warnings, and all email or WhatsApp correspondence. Once a dispute is referred, employers sometimes restrict access to workplace systems.
• Never skip proof of service. Filing the form without serving the employer, or filing without retaining evidence of service, is the most common procedural ground on which referrals are challenged. Always serve first, then file with proof attached.
• Think carefully about con‑arb. If you are well prepared and your case is straightforward, con‑arb can save months. If your matter is complex and you need time to gather witnesses or documents, objecting to con‑arb on Form 7.11 gives you additional preparation time before arbitration.
• Apply for condonation properly. If you are late, do not simply submit the form and hope, attach a detailed affidavit explaining the reasons for the delay, the steps you took once you became aware of your rights, and the merits of your case.
• Seek legal advice early. The earlier you consult an employment lawyer, the stronger your referral. Even a single consultation before filing can prevent costly errors in dispute coding, relief selection, and evidence gathering.

When to Escalate to the Labour Court

Not every employment dispute stays within the CCMA. In certain circumstances, the Labour Court, rather than CCMA arbitration, is the appropriate forum after conciliation. The most common scenarios include disputes involving automatically unfair dismissals where the employee earns above the BCEA threshold and elects to approach the Labour Court, or applications to review a CCMA arbitration award under section 145 of the LRA. Disputes about the interpretation or application of collective agreements may also fall within the Labour Court’s jurisdiction.

The Labour Court is a specialist court of law with its own rules and procedures. If your conciliation at the CCMA results in a certificate of non‑resolution and your dispute type requires or permits Labour Court adjudication, you must file a statement of claim with the Labour Court within the prescribed period. Given the procedural complexity involved, early consultation with a specialist employment lawyer is strongly recommended for any matter that may proceed to the Labour Court rather than CCMA arbitration.

Key Downloads and Templates

• Official LRA Form 7.11 (PDF). Available from the CCMA’s case referral forms page for download and printing.
• Editable Word version. An editable Word document version of Form 7.11 is available from the CCMA website and from organisations such as the Casual Workers Advice Office (CWAO).
• CCMA online portal. Complete and submit the form digitally via the CCMA’s “Refer a Dispute” portal, no download required.
• Annotated LRA 7.11 template with sample text. A detailed annotated template with pre‑filled sample entries for common dispute types is planned as a companion resource to this guide.
• Sample proof‑of‑service affidavit. Use the affidavit wording provided in the service section above, adapted to your specific circumstances, and have it commissioned before a Commissioner of Oaths.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Understanding what is a 7.11 referral form, and knowing how to complete, serve and file it correctly, is the foundation of any successful CCMA dispute. Respect the statutory deadlines, complete every field with precision, retain proof of service, and decide whether con‑arb is right for your case. If conciliation does not resolve the dispute, act promptly on your Form 7.13 arbitration referral within the 90‑day window. For personalised guidance on your specific workplace dispute, find an employment lawyer in South Africa through the Global Law Experts directory.

Sources

1. CCMA, Refer a Dispute / Case Referral Forms
2. Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), Government of South Africa
3. Department of Employment and Labour (South Africa)
4. CCMA Case Referral Forms (PDF / Word downloads)
5. Labour Guide South Africa, Steps for Referring Disputes at the CCMA
6. Legal & Tax Services, A Self‑Help Guide to the CCMA
7. Casual Workers Advice Office (CWAO), Annotated Form 7.11 PDF