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Key concepts

COT3

Plain-English definitions for England and Wales. General information, not legal advice. Laws and figures change - always check the current position on GOV.UK.

COT3 A settlement recorded through ACAS (named after the form) that settles a tribunal claim or potential claim. Unlike a settlement agreement, a COT3 does not require the employee to take independent legal advice.

Also known as: COT3 agreement

Related terms

Settlement agreement
A legally binding agreement in which an employee waives certain employment claims, usually in return for a payment. To be valid it must meet statutory conditions, including that the employee received independent legal advice on its terms.
ACAS Early Conciliation
A free, confidential service from ACAS that you must notify before you can bring most employment tribunal claims. A conciliator contacts both sides to see whether the dispute can be settled without a hearing. Notifying ACAS also pauses the tribunal time-limit clock while conciliation runs.
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