Statutory procedures are to be axed

The government is to repeal its statutory resolution procedures after an independent review concluded that they cost too much time and money.

The Department of Trade and industry commissioned the review last December as a step towards clarifying and simplifying the dispute resolution process.

Published last month, it said the procedures had "sound" intentions but are having "unintended consequences which have outweighed their benefits".

And it recommended that they should be replaced by a more efficient, simpler and more proportionate way of resolving disputes.

Other recommendations include the establishment of a telephone and internet-based dispute resolution service, a way of resolving monetary disputes without the need for tribunals, and earlier conciliation.

The DTI has launched a consultation to find a replacement, and says it will pilot any new approach that results from this process. The consultation closes on 20 June.

The full review and the consultation document can be downloaded from www.dti.gov.uk/employment/Resolving_disputes/index.html