A new Labour Relations Agency Arbitration Scheme has been launched under which claimants and respondents can choose to refer a claim to an arbitrator instead of going to a tribunal. The arbitrator's decision is binding as a matter of law and has the same effect as a tribunal's decision. The benefits of the scheme include its confidentiality and speed. The informality of the process means it is less expensive and there is no cross examination of witnesses. View the Scheme here.

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