3. Early ConciliationQ3 2013 625,000 outstanding ET
ClaimsQualifying service increased from 1 year to 2
yearsIntroduction ofTribunal FeesCapping CompensatoryAwards in
UnfairDismissal casesEarly Conciliationwith ACAS prior tolodging an
ET claim
4. Early ConciliationReplaced Pre-Claim Conciliation (PCC)Early
Conciliation is applied regardless of the strength ofthe case or
procedure followed to that pointIntroduced 6th April 2014 on
voluntary basisBecame mandatory on 6th May 2014 onwards
5. Early Conciliation - ProcessClaimant files anonline EC Form
orcontacts AcasAcas asks bothparties if they wishto take partBoth
parties agreeto take partParties agree andsign cot3Parties fail
toagreeAt least one partydoesnt agreeAcas issues
ECcertificateClaimant presentsclaim to ET with
ECCertificateConciliation can beoffered up to EThearingIf not
successfulclaim goes to ET
6. Early Conciliation - Results September 2014: 16.5% of cases
settled An additional 19% didnt result in ET claimNovember 2014:
18% of cases settled Only 24% of cases progressed to a tribunal
claim Only 10% of individuals reject EC Only 10% of employers do
not engage in process
7. Early Conciliation - OpinionA qualified success!An obstacle
to claimantsVoluntary nature dilutes effectivenessEmployers may
prefer to wait and seeIndividuals who pay may want moneys
worthStill an attractive alternative to cost of claim
8. Early Conciliation -WarningExpect direct contact from
AcasDont get caught cold!Conciliation is tacticalGather relevant
informationKnow what to say / what not to saySeriously consider
professional representation
