Unfortunately, with that type of pot that's narrower at the top than at the bottom, you'll need to break the pot to get the plant out. Or choose between the pot and the plant - trying to get the Acer out without damaging the pot likely means trying to break up the roots, particularly if it is potbound, and the Acer won't recover from significant root destruction.

Thanks for the reply, will sacrifice the pot.

It also looks as if the pot the Acer is in does not have drainage holes and, even if it does the pot is sitting on slabs so the water can't drain away easily... The Acer, if it survives will be much happier in the ground.

I fear you may lose the Acer whatever you do - it does look very unhappy. Sending it lots of TLC and hope for a good recovery!

Thanks for the comments, I hope my Acer survives...will let you know next year!

Get it out of that fancy pot and into the ground now that is the only way it will survive! Looking at the pot you may well have to smash it to get the Acer out, so it is down to whether you want the fancy pot or the Acer...