Acas has seen a 41% increase in the number of disability discrimination cases it received for conciliation, according to analysis of its latest data. In 2024–25, Acas received 11,958 disability discrimination cases, compared to 8496 in 2023–24.
The data revealed that 69% of early conciliation notifications did not progress to an employment tribunal between October and December 2024, remaining consistent from the previous quarter. Open track cases, which are the most complex, accounted for the largest number (37%) of employee-led early conciliation notifications between January and March 2025.
In most cases, employees are required to notify Acas before they can proceed with an employment tribunal claim. Acas will offer the prospective claimant early conciliation with the aim of resolving the case before a formal claim is submitted.
What does early conciliation do?
Acas data on the outcomes of employment tribunal claims found that 77% of employment tribunal cases received did not progress to a hearing in the first three months of 2025, down slightly from 79% in October to December 2024. Around 71% of cases that did not progress to tribunal were settled by Acas and the remaining cases were withdrawn.
