If you were intending on making an employment tribunal claim, a change in the law, taking effect yesterday means you must now notify Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) first.
The introduction of Early Conciliation was announced as part of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 in an attempt to settle workplace disputes without the need to go to court. Although it has been available on a trial basis from April 2014, for tribunal claims lodged on or after 6 May 2014 it is now a legal requirement to have made an Early Conciliation notification to Acas. Tribunal claims will not be accepted unless an Early Conciliation certificate has been issued.
If you wish to discuss a potential claim against an employer with a view to initiating the Early Conciliation procedure or if you are an employer and wish to respond to an approach for Early Conciliation you should take professional advice as soon as possible and contact our Employment Law team on 01206 574431.
