Pressure on the employment dispute resolution system is not confined to the tribunal backlog. Acas is also experiencing unprecedented levels of demand, with EC (Early Conciliation) notifications forecast to reach around 150,000 in the 2025–26 financial year. This would represent a record high by a significant margin and underlines the scale of the challenges facing the system upstream of the Employment Tribunals.
The impact is already being felt in operational delays. Acas is currently taking around five weeks to allocate a newly notified EC case to a conciliator, extending the pre litigation phase and delaying progress for both claimants and employers. For parties seeking swift resolution or clarity on their legal position, these delays can add to cost, uncertainty, and strain on working relationships.
Looking ahead, Acas expects demand to rise further. The ERA 2025 is anticipated to result in a 15–20% increase in EC notifications, reflecting both an expansion in employment rights and greater awareness of remedies among workers. While EC plays a vital role in resolving disputes without the need for litigation, increased volumes will test Acas’s capacity to deliver timely and effective conciliation unless additional resources are made available.
Delays at the EC stage risk pushing more cases into the tribunal system or prolonging disputes that might otherwise have settled swiftly. When viewed alongside rising tribunal waiting times, the figures paint a picture of a system under significant and growing strain.
Without meaningful investment and reform, pressures on Acas may become a further bottleneck in access to justice, rather than the gateway to early resolution that it is intended to be.
How we can help
Where possible, it is best to mitigate and/or resolve your employment issues before reaching the Acas EC referral stage. The best way to do this would be to call our Helpline on 0370 840 0234, to discuss your specific circumstances with one of our Employment advisers.
The sooner you seek our guidance, the better placed you will be to mitigate any further adverse developments. We will guide you through every stage of the process, including grievances and disciplinaries, with an excellent suite of template documents and detailed chapters in our Employment Manual all accessible online.
Where more assistance is required, our Employment advisers can assist with drafting settlement agreements to resolve disputes on a consultancy basis (fees apply). For more information email [email protected]
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For more information, call us on 0370 840 0234 or email us at [email protected]