Next month's introduction of early conciliation for tribunal claims is the latest in a series of reforms creating a 'huge change in landscape' for employment lawyers, the chief executive of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) said this week.

Early conciliation will be available from 6 April and will be compulsory for tribunal claims lodged on or after 6 May. Under the changes, employees will usually be able to bring an employment tribunal claim only if they have referred the issue to Acas.