What Is ACAS And What Do They Do?

Dispute Resolution

There are three ways ACAS helps to solve disputes. These are:

– Mediation
– Conciliation
– Arbitration

Conciliation

ACAS’s aim when it comes to conciliation is to help both parties reach a mutually-acceptable agreement. Before an aggrieved party can present their case against their employer to an employment tribunal for something like unfair dismissal, they are required to notify ACAS of their plans to lodge the claim.

ACAS then offers both parties the opportunity to use conciliation to try and resolve things without having to go to a tribunal. During conciliation, ACAS will:

• Take the time to establish the issues being disputed
• Allow both the aggrieved party and the accused to evaluate their positions
• Meet both parties separately in private to discuss matters
• Set up a meeting with both parties to deliberate the issues at hand
• Try and rebuild relations between the two parties
Any of the settlements reached through ACAS are legally binding.

Book Your Free Consultation

Mediation

Mediation isn’t that different from arbitration – the only difference between the two is that no awards are made in mediation. Under mediation, ACAS mediators make recommendations to both parties and take on an active role in proceedings, assisting participants to reach resolutions.

In mediation, parties can choose to take the suggestions offered by the mediator or not. The mediator’s role during mediation is to identify the issues at hand, offer ideas that could help improve the situation and to guide both parties through the process. When guiding parties, ACAS mediators normally:

• Speak to both parties separately to establish the problem
• Help parties think about their decision and the result they want
• Encourage both parties to view things from the other party’s perspective
• Make recommendations on how to improve the situation

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service’s day-to-day operations are managed by a Chief Executive and a board consisting of the organisation’s regional and national directors.

If you require further employment law guidance then please reach out to our lawyers here at DPH Legal for a free consultation.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as formal legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Specific legal advice should be sort tailored to the individual circumstances in all cases.

For any information relating to our services please give us a call and we will be very happy to help.

Talk To A Lawyer Directly Today