Same-Day Sign Off
We have the ability to review agreements the same day they’re received. The entire process can be completed within a very short timeframe, in most cases seven days, depending on how your employer responds.
Legal Costs Promise
Pay nothing for advice, a review and a signature. Should we negotiate on your behalf, additional fees for negotiations would be made clear.
Negotiation Services
If you wish to negotiate the amount of compensation, we can help. On average, we obtain an increase of 25 to 50% over and above the opening offer.
How our settlement agreement lawyers can advise you
For over twelve years, our expert solicitors have been providing help and assistance to employees, and individuals in relation to settlement agreements, negotiating better exit packages as well as providing independent legal advice on employment disputes, and redundancies and employment rights issues.
If you have been asked to sign an employment settlement agreement at work and no negotiation is necessary, the solicitors at Settlement Agreement Advice can review the relevant documents the same day they’re received.
We value the fact that you want to move on with your life as soon as possible. That’s why we’re here to help guide you through the correct course of action and take care of your needs and interests as fast as possible so you can do just that. We can advise you on whether you should accept your employer’s offer or not as well as other related matters.
The experts at our law firm help and advise clients with everything in relation to settlement agreements. Our solicitors can be contacted throughout all areas of England and Wales, including all the major cities and towns like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Reading and Brighton.
If you have questions, are not sure where to start or just want to put this behind you as soon as possible, you can get a free no obligation consultation by either calling us and speaking to a legal advisor, requesting a callback or starting the process online.
Settlement Agreement Advice is a trading name of DPH Legal which is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and is a member of The Employment Lawyers Association.
Why Settlement Agreement Advice?
We are one of many UK law firms in the country that deal with settlement agreements. Our team of highly experienced solicitors have the knowledge and expertise to deal with settlement agreements for workers and employers
for a number of different types of industries.
We understand the importance of getting through this time and getting back
on with your life as quickly as possible.
Our process has been refined to ensure we can deal with your settlement agreement enquiry quickly and in a professional manner.
Should you wish to negotiate the amount of compensation you’ve been offered, our solicitors can achieve an average increase of 25 to 50% on your initial offer, but we do not offer a no-win-no-fee service.
Our negotiation services are only specified if we believe there’s a high certainty that we can achieve a positive outcome result on your behalf. Our reputation has been built upon transparency, speed and responsiveness.
All of our employment law solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and are long-standing members of the Employment Lawyer's Association.
Our top-level legal people can offer legal advice and guidance in this area over the phone or via a zoom meeting from our offices based in the South-East of England. Our offices have remained covid secure for the last three years.
We do not provide settlement agreement templates or an example letter. These can be found on the ACAS website.
Settlement Agreement Advice | Employment Law Solicitors UK
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Start
Start by clicking "Start process", calling us, or requesting a callback from us.
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Get Advice
We'll give you free legal advice on what your settlement agreement means and what your options are on the same day as we receive it. Negotiation services are available where applicable.
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Sign-Off
Once you're happy with your employer's terms, sign and return it to us. We'll speak with your employer to seek closure that same day. We'll return your completed agreement so you can get back on with your life.
What is a settlement agreement (formerly a compromise agreement)?
The main advantage is that a settlement agreement can be used to settle a number of different employment claims. It’s regulated as a statute in employment law, and it’s a legal agreement between an employer and an employee, used to facilitate a clean amicable break between both parties, rather than the matter being decided in court.
The employee will have the security of a financial settlement offered in writing while the employer has the peace of mind that no future claims can be made against them. A settlement in this case refers to solving an employment issue and not a family one.
A compromise agreement was the name formerly given to a settlement agreement. A settlement agreement facilitates the ending of an employment relationship. In most cases, it includes a confidentiality clause and communications are usually marked as “without prejudice” or “without prejudice save as to costs”.
The employer offers compensation in exchange for the employee agreeing to not take a claim to the employment tribunal at a later date. A settlement agreement lawyer shall be required in order to provide legal advice to ensure it amounts to a valid settlement agreement.
This advice should also include the effects and consequences the agreement will have on the employee’s ability to make a future claim against their employer. A settlement agreement is different from an ACAS COT3 agreement.
Where do I find a settlement agreement solicitor?
Settlement Agreement Solicitor’s are often lawyers who specialise in employment law. This means that as well as advising on settlement agreements they also provide advice on the full range of employment law issues. This includes advice on grievances and disciplinary or performance issues within the workplace as well as employment tribunal claims.
If an employee requires advice on a settlement agreement from a solicitor they should take advice from an employment law specialist rather than a generalist solicitor.
At Settlement Agreement Advice all of the lawyers are specialist Settlement Agreement Solicitors who practice only employment law, so we are experts in this area.
We deal with hundreds of settlement agreements per month and have an excellent success rate on negotiating increased payments for our clients.
Do I have to pay for settlement agreement advice?
There is typically a fee contribution set out in the settlement agreement which means you don’t have to pay the solicitor for advice on your agreement. In this case, the settlement agreement advice is paid for directly by your employer and the invoice is sent to the employer for direct payment.
Settlement Agreement Advice should include advice on the terms of the agreement which includes a full explanation of the clauses within the agreement and what these mean to you.
In addition to this, the settlement agreement advice should include recommendations about whether or not you have leverage to negotiate a better deal than the payments offered in the agreement.
This will include advice on whether any employment claims have arisen and if so, the likely damages which would attach to those claims.
When you have received advice on your settlement agreement, you can decide whether or not to enter the agreement or to pursue a negotiation via your solicitors.
Frequently asked questions about settlement agreements
Yes, a settlement agreement is legally binding where the employee agrees to waive all claims against the employer, usually in exchange for a sum of money. There are specific requirements that make the agreement valid. , the The agreement must be in writing and the legal advisor must have indemnity insurance.
The validity of a settlement agreement is regulated by the Employment Rights Act 1996.
The main reason a settlement agreement is used is to either end the relationship between an employee and employer, or settle a dispute as well as to mitigate future risk for the employer. Usually, it’s used to end the employment of an employee. It can also be used as an opportunity to settle a dispute regarding an unfair dismissal for whistleblowing, or reporting health and safety issues, a grievance related to bullying, or an injury to feelings claim when with the employment contract has been not being terminated. In some instances, some employees employers may wish to negotiate a settlement to avoid settle a sexual harassment claim.
Yes, before signing, it is a requirement of law to first seek legal advice from a qualified settlement agreement solicitor who will be able to advice you on a number of things:
- If the terms affect your ability to apply for another job;
- The implications of signing the agreement; and
- If the terms or payment are fair.
Should there be a case for negotiating terms or an increase in compensation, an employment solicitor can also negotiate on your behalf. Settlement agreements can be complex and can include other binding conditions such as restrictive covenants that only a qualified lawyer can interpret.
There will not be a legal cost for the initial review and legal advice from a solicitor. Generally, the employer of the business will contribute between £250 and £750 towards legal fees for a legal advisor to review your settlement agreement. Once you've signed the agreement, your solicitor will send the invoice directly to your employer for payment.
At Settlement Agreement Advice, we have a solicitor costs guarantee. This means for the review, advice and completion of the settlement agreement, our fees will be covered by your employer.
If you wish to negotiate terms or compensation, then additional fees may apply. We are very clear and transparent and will not move forward until costs and expenses have been clearly explained and we have the go-ahead from you.
A settlement agreement is mutually beneficial for an employee and an employer. The employee receives a compensation payment and the employer can be assured they won’t be subjected to months of legal proceedings in an employment tribunal in the future. The agreement provides a clean, amicable break between the two parties.
No, a settlement agreement is not the same as a redundancy procedure, although they are used in situations related to redundancies.
No, you do not need to sign it. If an employee doesn’t agree with the terms offered in the agreement, or if discrimination is involved, then they do not need to sign. The employee has a choice of whether to sign it or not.
No, a reference is not normally given. However, an agreed reference can be negotiated as a term of the agreement. This will be included as one of several potential clauses or a provision within the agreement. Generally, the employer is not obligated to give a reference.
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract therefore, if either party breaches the terms set out in the agreement, a claim for damages can be brought against them. If the employee wishes to change their mind after signing the agreement, the agreement will continue to remain legally binding.
The first £30 000 paid to the employee is usually tax-free with any balance exceeding this amount being subject to tax. This money includes redundancy payments and ex gratia payments that are paid as compensation for the loss of employment. An employee may or may not be eligible for annual bonus payments if they are not employed during this payment date.
Our legal office can help you word the agreement so that it is constructed in the most tax-efficient way. A settlement agreement should include a tax indemnity clause. Payments in lieu of notice are subject to Tax and National Insurance contributions.
Tax and National Insurance deductions will also be taken from any wages owed, which could affect your salary and bonuses up to and including the date of the settlement agreement. Payment in lieu of other benefits and annual leave are also taxable. VAT may be applicable on some payments.