Advising and supporting you through ACAS Conciliation

 ACAS Early Conciliation has an increasingly important role for schools and academy trusts. Changes introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025 mean that the time limit for bringing most Employment Tribunal claims has increased from three months to six months. Separately, from 1 January 2027, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal protection will reduce from two years to six months. Together, these changes will significantly increase both the number of employees who may be eligible to bring an ordinary unfair dismissal claim and the period during which a potential dispute may remain live.

Together with the Early Conciliation period, these changes create an important opportunity for schools and academy trusts to assess legal and commercial risk, preserve evidence, review the process followed and explore a proportionate resolution before positions become entrenched and the cost and management time associated with Tribunal proceedings increase 

If resolution is not reached, or the parties do not wish to participate in conciliation, ACAS will issue an Early Conciliation certificate. The individual may then be able to present the relevant claim to the Employment Tribunal, subject to the applicable time limit and procedural requirements.