No 301 The Labour Relations Agency Arbitration Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
his Order sets out and brings into operation an arbitration scheme intended for the resolution of a wide range of employment rights disputes.
The Scheme was submitted to the Department for Employment and Learning by the Labour Relations Agency pursuant to Article 84A of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 and Article 89 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
The Schedule to the Order sets out the detail of the Scheme, providing for arbitration in the case of proceedings, or claims which could be the subject of proceedings, before an industrial tribunal arising out of a contravention or alleged contravention of
- Part XI of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (unfair dismissal);
- Articles 112G(1) or 112H(1)(b) of that Order (flexible working);
- any of the statutory provisions specified under Article 84A(1)(b) of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.
The Scheme additionally provides for arbitration in the case of proceedings, or claims which could be the subject of proceedings, before the Fair Employment Tribunal under Article 38 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
The Order provides for the Scheme to come into effect on 27th September 2012. The Scheme will provide from that date a voluntary alternative to an industrial tribunal or the Fair Employment Tribunal for the resolution of disputes to which it is applicable.