Independent HR appeals that truly stand up
No jargon. No fuss. Just a watertight, impartial appeal.
Impartial hearings, ACAS-compliant process, and watertight decisions from HR Director-level experts. In a small business, who has the seniority and the distance to hear an appeal properly? We step in, chair it professionally, and make sure it stands up.
Where an employer unreasonably fails to follow the ACAS Code, a tribunal can increase the employee's award by up to a quarter. A properly run appeal is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
- Heard at HR Director level
- Genuinely impartial, no prior involvement
- ACAS-aligned and defensible
Appeal lands. Panic brews. Who's left to hear it?
Picture this, brilliant business owner: you've handled the disciplinary or grievance like a pro. Then, ping, the appeal lands, and suddenly there's no one senior and truly impartial left to hear it. Your stomach drops, the kettle goes on, and you're wondering if the decision you just made will actually stand.
You're second-guessing the ACAS Code, worried a small slip could cost an extra 25%, and trawling Google at midnight for “what does a fair appeal look like?” Meanwhile the clock's ticking and your team need clarity, not chaos.
No impartial person
No senior manager left who's genuinely removed from the case to chair the appeal fairly.
ACAS risk
Fear of a 25% ACAS uplift because one process mistake could cost you at tribunal.
What's fair?
Unclear on what “fair and reasonable” appeal handling actually looks like in practice.
Clock's ticking, nerves up, paperwork everywhere. A shaky or skipped appeal is the easiest tribunal own-goal, and it's exactly where good intentions get tripped up.
Bring in an independent HR appeals officer for disciplinary and grievance appeal hearings
We step in as your independent appeals officer, at HR Director level, with zero prior involvement and absolutely no bias. We chair the hearing, test the evidence, and keep the whole thing squarely in line with the ACAS Code.
You get a reasoned, well-documented decision and a clear, plain-English outcome letter designed to stand up if anything ever heads tribunal-way. It's fairness for your employee, protection for your business, and peace of mind for you.
And because we can partner seamlessly across your disciplinary and grievance processes, you've got impartial expertise across the whole journey. Kettle on. Standards up.
Fresh eyes, zero prior involvement.
Run fully to the ACAS Code.
Decisions and letters built for tribunal scrutiny.
Respectful hearing that rebuilds trust.
Fast scheduling and clear timelines.
Trusted, tested, and tribunal-savvy
From cafes to creative agencies to tech teams, we've chaired appeals that cooled hot situations and kept decisions standing. Real-world letters, rigorous notes, and proportionate process, because compliance is good business and great culture.
We approached Kate Underwood HR for a niche area of business, and she maintained her professionalism throughout. Fairly priced, with outstanding service and attention to detail. Based on recent and ongoing experiences, I would recommend.
I cannot recommend Kate highly enough as a true HR professional. She is extremely personable, engaging and genuine. I would not hesitate to recommend Kate to any of my contacts, both professionally and personally.
Have worked with Kate and her team for a while now and they give us great support. Thank you Kate.
A fair appeal in five simple steps
A simple, human process with legal backbone. You book, we chair, you get crystal-clear outcomes, no drama, no jargon, no paperwork mountain.
Choose your appeal slot and a quick intro call.
Send the case file, invite letters, notes, and evidence.
We run the appeal meeting impartially and test the facts.
We assess findings, check proportionality, and confirm the outcome.
Receive a reasoned decision and final outcome letter.
Your questions, answered plainly
No jargon, no fuss. If your question isn't here, book a free call and we'll talk it through.
What exactly is an independent appeals officer?
It's an experienced HR professional, at HR Director level, brought in from outside your business to chair a disciplinary or grievance appeal. Because we've had no prior involvement in the case, we can hear it with genuine impartiality and no bias.
Why can't someone in my own business hear the appeal?
In smaller businesses there often isn't anyone senior enough who is also genuinely removed from the original decision. The ACAS Code expects an appeal to be heard impartially, wherever possible by someone not previously involved, and bringing in an independent officer is the cleanest way to meet that.
Is the process compliant with the ACAS Code?
Yes. We run the hearing squarely in line with the ACAS Code of Practice and document it accordingly. Where an employer unreasonably fails to follow the Code, a tribunal can increase an award by up to 25%, so a properly run appeal is one of the best protections you have.
How quickly can you hear an appeal?
Quickly. We prioritise appeals because timelines matter, and can usually chair within the week once we have the case file. You'll get clear dates up front so everyone knows what's happening and when.
What do you need from me to get started?
Just the case file: the original decision and invite letters, meeting notes, the appeal letter, and any supporting evidence. We handle the rest, from scheduling the hearing to producing the reasoned decision and outcome letter.
Do you handle both disciplinary and grievance appeals?
Yes, both. And because we can partner seamlessly across your disciplinary and grievance processes, you can have impartial expertise across the whole journey, not just the appeal stage.
More on disciplinaries and grievances
Plain-English guides on getting the process right, long before it ever reaches an appeal.
Lock in a fair, defensible appeal today
Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll make sure your disciplinary or grievance appeal is heard impartially, and your process is fair, compliant, and defensible, so you don't get tripped up by an ACAS Code uplift. No jargon, no pressure, just straight-talking advice.