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The Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act, 1998 provides for voluntary arbitration in alleged unfair dismissal cases as an alternative to a hearing in Employment Tribunals. There is thus a choice given to the parties in dispute to have the claim heard either in an Employment Tribunal or by an arbitrator appointed by ACAS. Two matters are pointed out at the outset. First, that the arbitration scheme for unfair dismissal disputes which has been devised by ACAS is entirely voluntary, and second, that the scheme has been operative in England and Wales only, since 22nd May, 2001. It is thought that the voluntary arbitration scheme will be extended to Scotland in the latter part of the year 2001 because of the fact that Scotland has a different arbitration system.