Note: This page is for employees. If you are an employer, please visit our settlement agreements for employers page.
Settlement agreements are often used to resolve employment disputes. They can offer an excellent way forward for employees, but it is important to get independent expert advice to be sure the deal being offered is fair and does not compromise your rights.
At F Barnes, our settlement agreement solicitors have extensive expertise. We can provide a quick, clear assessment of whether an agreement is fair and, if not, what you might be entitled to instead.
Our settlement agreements law expertise includes:
- Independent settlement agreement advice for employees
- Negotiating a settlement agreement
- Rejecting a settlement agreement
What our solicitors for settlement agreements can offer you:
We offer a friendly, pragmatic approach to employment disputes. Our aim is to help clients to secure the best possible outcome for their situation as quickly as possible while keeping stress to a minimum.
Our Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution team can provide a fast, reliable assessment of any settlement agreement your employer has offered. Drawing on our many years of experience providing settlement agreements advice for employees, we can explain in plain English what the terms mean and whether we think this represents the best deal for your situation.
Where we feel there is the potential for a better settlement, we can negotiate with your employer or former employer on your behalf. This way, we can give confidence that you will always get the very best settlement available without compromising on your rights.
Contact our settlement agreement solicitors in Romford, Essex
You can contact our solicitors for settlement agreements during our office hours of 9am-5pm at your local branch in Romford, Gidea Park or Collier Row by giving us a call on:
- Romford – 01708 745183
- Gidea Park – 01708 333711
- Collier Row – 01708 743727
Alternatively, contact us at any hour of the day by filling in our online enquiry form and we will get in touch.
We endeavour to return all enquiries the same or next working day and you will be able to speak to someone within our Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution team straightaway.
Our settlement agreement fees
We can normally review a settlement agreement offered by an employer for a fixed fee. This cost will typically be covered in part or entirely by your employer as part of their obligation to ensure you have independent legal advice on the agreement.
Where you have more complex requirements, we may need to work to an hourly rate, which will be discussed and agreed in advance.
An employee’s guide to settlement agreements
What is a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a legal agreement between an employer and an employee or former employee to resolve or head off an employment dispute.
The agreement will normally involve the employer making a one-off payment to the employee in exchange for the employee agreeing not to make a claim to an employment tribunal about a specific matter. The terms might also specify that your employer will supply a written reference to help with getting a job after a settlement agreement.
Why would a company offer a settlement agreement?
Companies typically offer settlement agreements in two main scenarios:
- Where an employee has raised a concern over the way they have been treated and there is a suggestion that the employer could potentially have breached employment law.
- Where the employer feels there is a possible risk of the employee bringing a claim e.g. in relation to a dismissal.
A settlement agreement can be a good option for the employer even if they are confident that they have not breached employment law. This is because the cost of defending an employment claim can be substantial, even if the employee’s claim does not succeed. Employment claims can also take up a lot of time and energy for a business, as well as potentially harming its reputation.
Heading off a potential claim with a settlement agreement can, therefore, be a very cost-effective option and sensible move to protect a business.
Should I accept a settlement agreement?
As an employee, accepting a settlement agreement is usually the easy option. It will typically mean that you get a guaranteed payment and do not need to go through the hassle and stress of taking your claim to an employment tribunal.
That said, it is important to make sure that the agreement is fair before signing. In many cases, a good settlement agreement solicitor for employees will be able to negotiate better terms than those initially offered by an employer. This is one reason why seeking expert legal advice is so important.
What is a reasonable settlement agreement?
What represents a fair settlement agreement will entirely depend on the circumstances, including any specific harm you have experienced as a result of your employer’s actions. Getting independent legal advice can ensure you fully understand your employment rights and entitlements, so you can be confident that any agreement offered is fair before signing.
Do I need a solicitor for a settlement agreement?
You have to take appropriate expert advice before signing a settlement agreement in order for the agreement to be legally binding. This can either be from a solicitor or from a suitable trade union representative and your settlement agreement adviser must have relevant insurance against the risk of any loss you might experience as a result of following their advice. Without advice from a suitable person, you will not have a legal settlement agreement.
Getting expert advice from a solicitor experienced in settlement agreements law is highly recommended. They should have the expertise to make sure the agreement best matches your interests and that you are not compromising on your rights or entitlements.
Contact our settlement agreement solicitors in Romford, Essex
Get in touch with our friendly, approachable settlement agreement solicitors for employees to talk about how we can help you.
You can contact us during our office hours of 9am-5pm at your local branch in Romford, Gidea Park or Collier Row by giving us a call on:
- Romford – 01708 745183
- Gidea Park – 01708 333711
- Collier Row – 01708 743727
Alternatively, contact us at any hour of the day by filling in our online enquiry form and we will get in touch.
We endeavour to return all enquiries the same or next working day and you will be able to speak to someone within our Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution team straightaway.