Cost of Employment Rights Advice
across the UK

# Employment Rights Advice: Trade Body Accreditation

In the UK, employment rights advisers can hold accreditation from several recognised bodies, each signalling different levels of qualification and oversight. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for HR practitioners and offers chartered status to experienced professionals, indicating rigorous training and adherence to ethical standards. The Law Society regulates solicitors who provide employment law services, while the Bar Standards Board oversees barristers specialising in employment matters. Additionally, some advisers gain accreditation through the Advice Quality Standard (AQS), which certifies advice providers across sectors including employment rights, assessing competence, client service, and complaints handling. Other relevant schemes include membership of the Employment Lawyers Association for specialist practitioners, and some organisations hold ISO 9001 quality management certification. These credentials vary in stringency; Law Society and Bar Standards Board regulation represents the highest legal standard, whilst CIPD chartered status and AQS accreditation indicate proven expertise and quality assurance processes.

To verify a provider's credentials, start by asking directly for their accrediting body and request proof of current registration, which you can cross-check on the relevant regulator's website. The Law Society maintains a searchable directory of solicitors, the Bar Standards Board provides a barrister search function, and CIPD accreditation can be verified through their chartered member directory. For advisory bodies holding AQS, you can confirm this through the Advice Quality Standard's own register. It's important to verify credentials because accreditation provides legal protections; if a regulated solicitor or barrister breaches professional standards, you can pursue complaints through formal processes with access to compensation schemes, whereas unaccredited advisers offer no such safeguards. An accredited adviser is also demonstrably insured, competent, and subject to continuing professional development requirements