Advising on Settlement Agreements

Before you sign a settlement agreement, the law requires you to get independent legal advice. We make sure that advice actually helps.

Being offered a settlement agreement often comes as a surprise, whether it follows a workplace dispute, a redundancy, concerns about your performance, or a relationship with your employer that’s broken down. It’s a legally binding contract, usually exchanging your right to bring a claim for a payment or other agreed terms, and once you sign it, that’s largely final.

We explain the agreement in plain English, check whether the compensation on offer is fair, and look at whether you might have claims worth more than what’s being proposed. That includes reviewing restrictive covenants, the wording of your reference, confidentiality clauses and how the payments are taxed. Where there’s room to improve the terms, whether that’s a higher payment, a better reference, or holiday and notice pay you’re owed, we’ll negotiate it.

We will review the agreement carefully and advise on whether:

• The compensation is fair
• Whether you have actual or potential legal claims
• Restrictive covenants are reasonable
• The wording of the reference is appropriate
• Confidentiality clauses are acceptable
• Tax provisions have been correctly drafted
• There is scope to negotiate improved terms

We can also negotiate:

• Higher compensation payments
• Better agreed references
• Payment of bonuses or commission
• Holiday pay
• Notice pay
• Legal costs
• Amendments to restrictive covenants
• Agreed announcements to colleagues or clients

Not every settlement agreement is the same. Some are generous. Others ask you to give up real rights for very little.

TIMESCALES AND FEES