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A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract which can bring an employment contract to an end on agreed terms. If you have been offered a settlement agreement or have a question you wish to ask in relation to one, contact our specialist settlement agreement team for advice, we recommend completing our online enquiry form - by completing the form as fully as possible, it will allow us to assess your case much more efficiently to tell you whether we can assist and what funding option we can recommend.
It is a legal requirement that you must receive specialist legal advice before signing a settlement agreement. We have offices in Bolton, London, Manchester, St Helens and Wigan, our settlement agreement solicitors are able to provide advice at your convenience. Please contact us to arrange an appointment if you have been offered a settlement agreement.
Settlement agreement solicitors provide a vital service in ensuring employees are fully aware of their rights and obligations before signing a legally binding document. These agreements can significantly impact an individual’s future employment prospects, finances and legal standing. Therefore, obtaining legal guidance from experienced settlement agreement lawyers is essential to make informed decisions and ensure fair treatment by an employer.
At Stephensons, our settlement agreement solicitors combine in-depth legal knowledge with practical experience in employment law, enabling us to spot hidden clauses, identify unfair terms, and negotiate improvements to your settlement package. We aim to ensure that your interests are protected and that your departure from your role is handled with professionalism and clarity.
Settlement agreements may be presented during times of workforce reduction, performance-related concerns, or workplace disputes. It's not solely limited to redundancy situations. Here are several common scenarios that may lead to an offer of a settlement agreement:
Regardless of the context, receiving a settlement agreement can feel daunting. Stephensons' settlement agreement lawyers are here to guide you through every stage of the process with clear, practical advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Settlement agreements often come with deadlines, and employers may set short timeframes for acceptance. This can create pressure, but it is crucial that you do not rush the decision. An experienced solicitor will be able to act quickly, review the agreement thoroughly, and advise you with urgency—often within the same day or 24 hours.
Our settlement agreement solicitors understand the time-sensitive nature of these agreements and prioritise urgent matters without compromising the quality of our advice. We aim to provide peace of mind while ensuring that no important legal detail is overlooked.
Yes, settlement agreement terms are not fixed and can be negotiated. Many individuals are not aware that they can challenge or amend terms that are unfavourable. Our settlement agreement lawyers regularly negotiate on behalf of clients regarding:
Negotiations are always handled with the utmost confidentiality and professionalism to protect your reputation and future employment opportunities.
Stephensons stands out among UK law firms for the quality and accessibility of its legal services. Our settlement agreement solicitors are part of a nationally recognised employment law team with a strong reputation for delivering results.
Here are some key reasons to choose Stephensons for settlement agreement advice:
Signing a settlement agreement may not mark the end of your journey with legal support. There may be follow-up matters such as tax implications, ongoing restrictive covenants, or future employment queries. Our settlement agreement lawyers can assist you post-settlement by:
We continue to support you beyond the signing of the agreement, offering practical guidance tailored to your professional goals and personal wellbeing.
Stephensons offers flexible, remote legal advice for settlement agreements. Whether you are based in a different part of the country or simply prefer to handle matters from the comfort of your home, we can advise you via:
This ensures you receive the same high level of legal representation without the need to attend an office in person, ideal for urgent or confidential settlement matters.
Getting started with Stephensons is simple. If you have received a settlement agreement or believe your situation may lead to one, contact us promptly for expert legal help. Our employment law solicitors will assess your situation, explain your rights in clear terms, and guide you through the next steps.
Reach out to our settlement agreement solicitors today, we recommend completing our online enquiry form - by completing the form as fully as possible, it will allow us to assess your case much more efficiently to tell you whether we can assist and what funding option we can recommend.
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Winners of
Employment Law Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards
In the last 2 years
We have helped 2,000 clients with settlement agreements
In the last 2 years
we have given 50-75 hours on a pro bono basis as part of The Business Growth Hub
If you have received an employment settlement agreement from your employer, you should first seek legal advice and support from a solicitor. This is important, as once you have signed and agreed upon a settlement agreement, you waive your employee rights to take your employer to court or to an employment tribunal, preventing you from renegotiating the amount offered. It is best to seek legal advice, but many people worry about how much this might cost. No matter the settlement agreement amount, your employer will usually contribute towards your legal costs for seeking legal and independent advice. This financial support may be capped so you will need to find out the legal advice fee limit first.
At Stephensons, our highly experienced legal team are always on hand to offer free guidance and support in relation to employment settlement agreements. We can then discuss confidentially your individual case and circumstances and how much your employer has provided you with to seek legal advice.
For employers, it is important to note that from April 2018 settlement agreement tax has changed slightly. This concerns the taxable status on notice payments and we can offer guidance around this, as required.
For more legal advice and support in relation to settlement agreement fees please feel free to contact our team of highly experienced solicitors on 01616 966 229.
If you have been presented with a settlement agreement at work, there may be several terms used that you may be unfamiliar with. Visit our glossary which lists a number of common terms used in settlement agreements and their meaning - settlement agreement glossary.
Martha McKinley explains what a settlement agreement is, the importance of expert legal advice - whether an employee who has been offered a settlement agreement or from the perspective of an employer.
Martha also provides guidance on the sort of thing a settlement agreement will include along with information on the cost of legal advice and the timescales involved.
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