(1)Where a trade dispute exists or is apprehended ACAS may, at the request of one or more of the parties to the dispute and with the consent of all the parties to the dispute, refer all or any of the matters to which the dispute relates for settlement to the arbitration of—
(a)one or more persons appointed by ACAS for that purpose (not being officers or employees of ACAS), or
(b)the Central Arbitration Committee.
(2)In exercising its functions under this section ACAS shall consider the likelihood of the dispute being settled by conciliation.
(3)Where there exist appropriate agreed procedures for negotiation or the settlement of disputes, ACAS shall not refer a matter for settlement to arbitration under this section unless—
(a)those procedures have been used and have failed to result in a settlement, or
(b)there is, in ACAS’s opinion, a special reason which justifies arbitration under this section as an alternative to those procedures.
(4)Where a matter is referred to arbitration under subsection (1)(a)—
(a)if more than one arbitrator or arbiter is appointed, ACAS shall appoint one of them to act as chairman; and
(b)the award may be published if ACAS so decides and all the parties consent.
(5)[F1Part I of the Arbitration Act 1996] (general provisions as to arbitration) does not apply to an arbitration under this section.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 212(5) substituted (31.1.1997) by virtue of 1996 c. 23, s. 107(1), Sch. 3 para. 56 (with s. 81(2); S.I. 1996/3146, art. 3, Sch. 2)