Settlement Agreement Solicitors

Expert Advice for Employees

If you have been offered a settlement agreement by your employer, it is essential that you seek specialist legal advice before signing anything. At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, our experienced settlement agreement solicitors provide clear, expert guidance to ensure you understand the terms being proposed and that your best interests are protected throughout the process.

We support clients across a wide range of industries and sectors, from entry level to senior executive roles, and in all types of circumstances.

What Is a Settlement Agreement?

A settlement agreement - previously known as a compromise agreement - is a legally binding contract between an employer and employee. It is most commonly used to bring an employment relationship to an end, with the employee agreeing to waive their right to bring legal claims against the employer in exchange for a financial settlement or other agreed terms.

Settlement agreements can arise in a wide range of circumstances, including redundancy, unfair dismissal, discrimination, breach of contract, whistleblowing, and disciplinary situations. They can also be used where the parties simply want to formalise agreed terms that go beyond contractual entitlements.

Why You Need a Settlement Agreement Solicitor

For a settlement agreement to be legally binding and enforceable, the employee must receive independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor before signing the agreement. Without that advice, the agreement will not be enforceable.

Signing a settlement agreement means waiving your right to bring legal claims - including claims such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract - against your employer. This is a significant legal step, and it is vital that you are able to make an informed decision before proceeding.

Our specialist settlement agreement solicitors will explain the settlement agreement, and its implications, to you. They can also advise you whether the terms offered by your employer are reasonable and identify whether there is scope to negotiate a better outcome. Many employees are unaware that the terms of a settlement agreement are often not fixed - our settlement agreement lawyers regularly negotiate on behalf of clients to secure improved financial settlements, better reference terms, and other protections.

Duncan Lewis is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and our solicitors meet the legal requirement for independent legal advice that must be satisfied before any settlement agreement can take effect.

Settlement Agreement Advice - What We Cover

Reviewing the Terms of Your Settlement Agreement

Our solicitors will conduct a thorough review of your settlement agreement, explaining each clause in plain language. This includes the financial settlement being offered, any confidentiality obligations, post-termination restrictions, tax treatment of payments, indemnity provisions, and the scope of the claims you would be waiving. We ensure you fully understand what you are agreeing to before you sign.

Assessing Whether the Offer Is Fair

Not all settlement agreements offered by employers represent a fair deal. Our specialist employment solicitors can assess the value of any potential claims you may hold - including unfair dismissal claims, discrimination claims, and holiday pay or salary arrears - and advise you on whether the sum of money being offered adequately reflects your legal position. If it does not, we will tell you.

Settlement Agreement Negotiations

If the terms are not satisfactory, our settlement agreement solicitors can negotiate on your behalf. This may involve seeking an increased financial settlement, improved reference wording, removal of restrictive covenants, or adjustments to the termination date. Our lawyers have the expertise to engage effectively with your employer or their legal representatives to get the best possible outcome for you.

Redundancy and Settlement Agreements

Redundancy is one of the most common contexts in which settlement agreements arise. Employers frequently offer settlement agreements with enhanced terms to employees at risk of redundancy, and it is important to understand whether the process has been handled fairly and whether the financial package reflects your true entitlements - including statutory redundancy pay, notice pay, and any contractual benefits. Our employment law solicitors regularly advise clients across the UK on redundancy-related settlement agreements.

Unfair Dismissal Claims and Settlement

If you believe you have been (or are going to be) dismissed unfairly, a settlement agreement may offer a quicker and more certain resolution than an employment tribunal claim. However, it is critical to seek legal advice before signing, as doing so will close off your right to bring an unfair dismissal claim. Our settlement agreement solicitors can assess the merits of any potential unfair dismissal claim and ensure you are making an informed decision about whether to accept the terms on offer.

Legal Fees for Settlement Agreement Advice

In most cases, employers agree to make a contribution towards the employee's legal fees as part of the settlement agreement process. This is standard practice and means that, in many straightforward cases, the cost of receiving independent legal advice is covered by the employer. Where you want more detailed advice, there are extensive bespoke terms, or you want us to negotiate on your behalf, this may increase our fees.

Whatever the situation, our settlement agreement solicitors will be transparent about fees from the outset, and advise you on the likely cost before any work is carried out.

Specialist Settlement Agreement Solicitors Across the UK

Duncan Lewis Solicitors acts for clients across the UK, with offices in London, Manchester, and beyond. Whether your matter is straightforward or involves complex employment law issues, our specialist employment solicitors provide thorough, practical advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

Speak to a Specialist Settlement Agreement Solicitor Before You Sign

If you have been offered a settlement agreement or are considering entering into one, do not sign anything before speaking to one of our specialist settlement agreement solicitors.

Contact us for Independent Legal Advice

Contact Duncan Lewis today for expert settlement agreement advice. Our employment law team is ready to provide you with the independent legal advice you need to make an informed decision.