CIPD backs Employment Rights Bill amendment to expand role of HR consultants in disputes

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), in collaboration with Labour peer Lord Pitkeathley, has proposed an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill that aims to alleviate mounting pressure on the UK’s dispute resolution system.

The proposed amendment, currently listed as Amendment 132, is set to be debated in the House of Lords this week as the bill proceeds through its committee stage.

If approved, the change would enable CIPD members working as independent HR consultants to undergo additional specialist training, beyond the standard requirements for membership, that would allow them to advise employees on legally binding settlement agreements.

Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, said: “Our proposal would improve access to professional support, increase capacity in the dispute resolution system and promote the value and expertise that professional HR consultants can provide.”

This move comes in response to the Government’s own economic impact assessment, which anticipates a 15% increase in employment tribunal claims following the bill’s implementation.

Such a rise is expected to drive greater demand for settlement agreements, which currently require advice from qualified solicitors, certified trade union officials, or advisers from recognised advice centres.

By expanding the list of professionals who can legally provide this advice, the amendment seeks to give employees – particularly those in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – greater access to affordable expert guidance.

The CIPD believes the proposed change would increase the system’s capacity, reduce barriers to resolving workplace disputes, and offer a cost-effective alternative to costly tribunal proceedings.