Called to a disciplinary meeting? Most people make the case worse before they sit down.
You have been called to a disciplinary and right now you need one thing. A clear list of what you are actually entitled to before the process runs away from you.
Most people find out their rights after the meeting, not before.
Written by a qualified solicitor with 23 years of employment law experience. England and Wales. General educational information, not individual legal advice.
What you get inside.
The rights framework for anyone facing a disciplinary procedure. Recognise unfairness, identify traps, and know exactly what HR can and cannot do at each step.
What a fair disciplinary looks like.
The ACAS Code framework, the investigation step, the right to a hearing, the right of appeal. So you can spot when yours isn't fair.
Procedural traps to spot.
The shortcuts employers take. Compressed timelines, missing investigation, decision-maker pre-judging, evidence not shared. Spot the trap before you fall in it.
What HR can and cannot do.
The boundaries. What they can ask you to attend, what they can require in writing, what they cannot lawfully pressure you into.
Recording meetings.
When recording is permitted, when it isn't, and the practical issues either way.
Challenging unfair treatment.
How to push back on procedural unfairness without making things worse. Tone, language, and timing.
Your right to a companion.
Who you can bring, what they can do, and why you should always exercise this right.
The full table of contents.
What's covered.
- The ACAS Code framework.
- What a fair disciplinary procedure looks like.
- The investigation stage.
- The hearing. What to expect, what to prepare.
- Your right to a companion.
- What HR can ask you to do.
- What HR cannot lawfully require.
- Recording meetings. The rules.
- Challenging procedural unfairness.
- The decision and your right of appeal.
- If the decision is unfair. Next steps.
- When to seek further advice.
The honest comparison.
If you're going to spend money getting this right, here's the picture. A solicitor will charge £500 + VAT for an initial consultation. This is the rights framework so you walk in knowing what's allowed and what isn't.
Who this is for.
If any of this is where you are right now, this is the guide for you.
- You've just been told you're facing a disciplinary.
- You want to understand what a fair process looks like.
- You're not sure what HR is and isn't allowed to do.
- You want to know if you can record the meeting.
- You don't know who you can take as a companion.
- You want the essentials, not the full survival guide.
Get the guide.
One-off purchase, £9.99. Instant PDF download. The essential rights framework.
Get the guide. £9.99Common questions.
Is this legal advice for my specific case?
No. This is general educational information for England and Wales. Every situation is different. For complex cases, consider booking a one-off consultation with a qualified employment solicitor.
How is this delivered?
Instant download as a PDF after purchase. Files won't open? I'll fix it or refund you.
Does this cover Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. England and Wales only. The legal framework, time limits, and statutory references are for England and Wales.
Can I get a refund if I don't find it useful?
Digital guides are non-refundable once downloaded. The full table of contents above shows exactly what's inside. If you have a question before buying, contact info@thesecretlawyer.co.uk.