About Chris Davis

I provide independent, practitioner-led analysis and advice on complex UK employment law and employee relations issues, with a particular focus on what the law means for HR decision-making in practice.

My work is informed by many years of experience in senior HR, employment law consultancy and Employment Tribunal work. I now concentrate particularly on difficult disciplinary and dismissal issues, workplace investigations and employment disputes where independent judgement, careful analysis of the evidence and an understanding of potential Tribunal risk are important.

Independent judgement and analysis

A central feature of my work is independent challenge.

Internal HR teams may understandably be influenced by organisational history, operational pressures or previous involvement in a matter. In complex or sensitive cases, an independent assessment can help an organisation stand back from the dispute and examine the evidence, procedure and legal risk more objectively.

My approach is analytical and proportionate. The objective is not simply to ensure that a process has been followed, but to help organisations reach decisions which are fair, evidence-based, legally defensible and realistic in practice.

Forensic Employment Dispute Analysis

One specialist area of my work is Forensic Employment Dispute Analysis (FEDA).

I developed FEDA for employers facing an Employment Tribunal claim, or a workplace dispute which may develop into one. It provides a structured, evidence-led assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the employer's position before substantial resources are committed to litigation.

The purpose is to establish where the organisation actually stands: what the evidence shows, where the legal and procedural risks lie, whether early resolution should be considered and, if the matter proceeds, what needs to be addressed.

I also undertake independent investigations into complex or senior disciplinary matters, provide specialist input on disciplinary and dismissal processes, review disciplinary frameworks and practices, and chair or support hearings where independence and credibility are important.

Professional background

I hold an LLB (Hons) in Law and am a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD).

Earlier in my career I was Head of HR within a large construction industry organisation. I subsequently established and ran my own employment law consultancy for more than ten years, advising international, national and regional organisations as well as SMEs.

My professional experience also included Employment Tribunal advocacy, giving me practical experience of how workplace decisions, investigations and evidence can ultimately be examined in litigation.

A wider business perspective

Away from employment law and HR, I also built and ran a successful internet retailing business.

That experience gave me a different perspective on employment issues: not simply as questions of law or HR procedure, but as decisions which have operational, financial and management consequences for organisations.

My current commentary and analysis on employment law and HR practice draws on those different perspectives.