The
new Acas arbitration scheme, which is designed to provide a fast and
confidential disputes resolution process, is launched today.
Acas
chairwoman, Rita Donaghy, told Personnel Today that the new scheme will deal
with 1,000 unfair dismissal cases in its first year and will lift some of the
burden from employment tribunals.
Arbitration
hearings will be held at locations convenient to both parties, either at an
Acas office, or at the employer or trade union’s premises.
The
parties will have to send a copy of their respective case, any supporting
documents and a list of who will be attending to the Acas arbitration section
at least two weeks before the hearing.
Hearings
will be informal and confidential and will usually be competed in a day.
The
parties receive the arbitrator’s award via Acas normally within three weeks of
the hearing.
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A
full guide to the scheme can be found at http://www.acas.org.uk/arbitration_guide.pdf
