Updated CCMA Conduct of Proceedings Rules Gazetted

Posted 23 October 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Labour

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Employment & Labour has gazetted an updated set of rules regulating the conduct of proceedings in the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration (CCMA).

Published in terms of section 115(2A) of the Labour Relations Act, No. 66 of 1995 (LRA), the Rules for the Conduct of Proceedings before the CCMA govern the procedural framework for all dispute resolution processes administered by the Commission, including conciliation, con-arb, and arbitration hearings.

The updated rules address key procedural aspects of dispute resolution before the CCMA, including:

  • Requirements and prescribed forms for referring disputes to conciliation, arbitration, and inquiries by an arbitrator;
  • Prescribed timeframes and verified methods for the service and filing of notices and referral documents;
  • Protocols governing legal representation, appearances, and applications for representation rights under Rule 25;
  • Procedural requirements for formal applications, including applications for condonation, postponement, rescission of rulings, and jurisdictional determinations; and
  • Procedures for issuing subpoenas, securing expert witnesses, and levying CCMA administrative and arbitration fees where applicable.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Audit dispute referral templates and citation formats to ensure immediate compliance with the updated CCMA procedural rules, particularly regarding service affidavits and condonation application standards.
  • For your business: Update internal human resources and labour relations response protocols to align with revised CCMA notice timelines and delivery verification methods.
  • For your clients: Advise employer and employee clients on current representation restrictions, strict referral timelines, and document filing requirements to avoid defective referrals or jurisdictional challenges before the CCMA.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/ccma-updated-conduct-of-proceedings-rules-gazetted

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