Increase in demand for Acas’ conciliation service  

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) annual report for 2017/18, shows that its individual dispute resolution service, a necessary step before a claim can be submitted at the Employment Tribunal has seen an increase in use following the Supreme Court’s decision in July 2017 to scrap the Employment Tribunal fees. The report found that use of the early conciliation process had increased from approximately 1,700 a week to around 2,200 a week following the decision.

Key facts and figures highlighted in the report include:

• 715 national and regional disputes in a wide range of sectors in 2017/18—pay and employment conditions was the top cause of disputes;
• The top three topics dealt with by the Acas helpline were: (1) discipline, dismissal and grievances; (2) contracts; (3) wages and the national minimum wage;
• Notifications have increased by 19% compared to the same period the previous year and the number of cases involving a tribunal claim has increased by 39%;
• Acas assisted in settling 92% of collective disputes.

If you would like to discuss the ACAS early conciliation process or any employment law matter, please get in touch with our specialist employment law solicitors on 0207 956 8699 or info@rllaw.co.uk