What is the LRA Form 7.18 and when do I need it?

The LRA Form 7.18, officially titled "Application to Certify CCMA Award", is the application made under section 143 of the Labour Relations Act, 1995, asking the Director of the CCMA (or a delegated Commissioner) to certify an arbitration award. You need it when you won an arbitration award at the CCMA — for example, an order that your employer pay you compensation — but the other party has not complied. An award must be certified before it can be enforced.

What does it mean to "certify" a CCMA award?

Certification is the CCMA Director confirming, under section 143(3) of the Labour Relations Act, that the arbitration award is a final and binding award issued by a Commissioner as contemplated in section 143(1). Once certified, the award has real enforcement teeth: an award ordering payment of money can be executed against the other party’s property by the Sheriff, and any other award can be enforced through contempt of court proceedings in the Labour Court.

My employer has not paid my CCMA award — what do I do?

First check the compliance deadline in the award itself — most awards give the employer around 14 days to pay. Once that deadline has passed without payment, obtain a copy of the award and proof that it was served on the employer from the CCMA office, complete the LRA 7.18, swear it before a Commissioner of Oaths, and submit it with both attachments to the CCMA regional office where your case was heard. After certification you can take the award to the Sheriff for execution against the employer’s property.

What documents must I attach to the LRA 7.18?

Two attachments are mandatory: a copy of the arbitration award, and proof that the award was served on the other party. If you do not have proof of service, request it from the CCMA office that handled your case. If the award covers more than one employee, you must also complete Annexure A on page 4, listing each employee’s name, ID number, contact number, and the amount awarded — the names must match the employees named in the award.

Does the LRA 7.18 have to be sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths?

Yes. Part 1 of the LRA 7.18 is an affidavit. You must sign it in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths — not before you get there. Commissioners of Oaths are available free of charge at any SAPS police station, and also at post offices, banks, and attorneys’ offices. The Commissioner completes their own section on page 2, recording where and when the oath was taken. An unsworn or pre-signed form will be rejected.

Where do I submit the completed LRA 7.18?

Submit the sworn form, with the arbitration award and proof of service attached, to the CCMA regional office for the region where your matter was heard. The Director of the CCMA or a delegated Commissioner then completes Part 2 — the certificate in terms of section 143(3). Contact details for all CCMA regional offices are on ccma.org.za, or call the CCMA on 0861 16 16 16.

How much does it cost to certify a CCMA award?

Nothing. The CCMA does not charge for certification, and Commissioners of Oaths at SAPS police stations commission affidavits free of charge. You do not need a lawyer to complete or submit the LRA 7.18. Costs only arise at the enforcement stage — the Sheriff charges fees for executing against property, which are usually recoverable from the other party.

What happens after the award is certified?

For an award ordering payment of money, deliver the certified award and this document to the Deputy Sheriff in the magisterial district where the other party resides or has its place of business — the Sheriff can then attach and sell the other party’s property to recover what you are owed. For any other kind of award (for example reinstatement), enforcement is through contempt of court proceedings in the Labour Court. Legal advice is worthwhile at the enforcement stage.

Is there a deadline for applying to certify a CCMA award?

The Labour Relations Act does not set a specific deadline for applying for certification itself, but do not delay. Apply for certification as soon as the compliance deadline in the award passes, so the Sheriff or Labour Court process can start promptly. Time limits for enforcing arbitration awards are legally unsettled — courts have treated them differently — so if your award is old or unpaid for a long time, get legal advice rather than assuming you are still in time.

Can the employer stop certification by taking the award on review?

An employer can apply to the Labour Court to review a CCMA award within six weeks of it being served. A review application does not automatically suspend the award — the employer must also apply for the award to be stayed and, for money awards, provide security. If the award has been stayed by the Labour Court, enforcement must wait for the review to be decided. If no stay has been granted, you can proceed with certification and enforcement.

What if the award covers several employees?

Use Annexure A on page 4 of the LRA 7.18. It is a table for each employee covered by the award: name and surname, ID number, contact number, and the amount awarded. The names must correspond exactly with the employees named in the attached arbitration award. One sworn LRA 7.18 with a completed Annexure A covers all listed employees — each employee does not need a separate application.

What is the difference between the LRA 7.11 and the LRA 7.18?

The LRA 7.11 starts a CCMA case — it refers a dispute (like an unfair dismissal) to the CCMA for conciliation and arbitration. The LRA 7.18 comes at the end of the process — after you have won an arbitration award, it asks the CCMA Director to certify the award so it can be enforced against a party that has not complied. If you have not yet been to arbitration, the 7.11 is the form you need.

Is my personal information safe when using FillMeIn to fill the LRA 7.18?

Yes. FillMeIn processes all your data entirely on your device. Your personal details, case information, and the employee details in Annexure A never leave your phone or computer — nothing is sent to our servers or stored in the cloud. Since nothing is uploaded, a dropped connection during load shedding won’t interrupt filling in the form or generating the PDF — print it when you’re ready to swear and submit it.

LRA 7.18 — Application to Certify CCMA Award

Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration · Verified 21 July 2026