If you are looking for an amicable solution to end an employment relationship, a settlement agreement might be suitable for you. For legal support and advice with preparing a suitable settlement agreement, contact us. We are settlement agreement solicitors that support employers and businesses in the UK. Call 020 7903 6888 or request a call back at a time with the form on this page.
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and employee which parties enter to resolve a (potential) dispute.
Usually, settlement agreements are used when an employee and employer want to come to an amicable solution to end the relationship where the employer does not want to conduct a long capability/disciplinary procedure or to avoid tribunal proceedings where the employee may have a claim.
However, they may also be used where both parties want to continue the employment relationship, but a disagreement has occurred they would like to settle. The terms of the agreement can be negotiated between the parties.
By proposing a Settlement Agreement, you can be certain that your departing employee will be prevented from bringing a claim at the Employment Tribunal against your business. Furthermore, it will help you avoid a public Employment Tribunal claim and will ensure that your interest and reputation are protected.
There are benefits for both the employer and employee to enter into a settlement agreement, including:
1. It can be legally binding if the statutory requirements are met. To be legal binding the agreement must state the specific complaints the parties are settling, and the employee must have received legal advice from an independent solicitor, who has insurance in place, on the terms of the agreement.
2. The agreement can contain confidentiality and disparagement clauses that prevent the parties from talking about the agreement and making derogatory comments about the other party to the agreement. This can help the employer avoid the bad publicity that may affect their future business and assist the employee who may be looking for a new job and need a reference.
3. Saving costs in the long run. If a settlement agreement is not entered into, a potential dispute may result in an Employment Tribunal claim which incurs high legal costs, usually considerably more than a settlement agreement. Further, in a settlement agreement employers have some control over the amount of the ex-gratia payment which they would not have if the Employment Tribunal made an award for compensation.
Call 020 7903 6888 or request a call back using our contact form for legal assistance with your settlement agreement.
Davenport Solicitors has considerable experience in bringing employment law matters to a close in an amicable manner while protecting the rights of employers involved in the process.
Employers need to be cautious when presenting a settlement sum to an employee, to ensure that they do not expose themselves to any potential claims.
Whist we would not advise employers to accept a poor or unfitting agreement to avoid an employment tribunal process, we believe that the employer and employee will ultimately show a willingness to reach a suitable agreement without resorting to the Tribunal, as it is usually in the interest of both parties to do so.
The experience and success of our settlement agreement solicitors in this area mean that we are a natural fit for your needs. However, we believe that every business is unique, therefore every Settlement Agreement is likely to be different.
With our settlement agreement solicitors, you can be rest assured that you will get a bespoke service at all times, ensuring that your business is protected.
Davenport Solicitors is a specialist employment and immigration law firm based in London. We help businesses of all sizes, from large corporates to SMEs and start-ups, as well as HR professionals, on all aspects of employment law and business immigration.
Get in touch with our experienced Settlement Agreement Solicitors today! Call us on 020 7903 6888 or request a call back at a time convenient for you. You can also drop us an e-mail at contact@davenportsolicitors.com. We aim to reply within 24 hours.
Are you an employee looking for advice on settlement agreements? Visit our settlement agreement advice for employees page for expert advice from our employment law specialists.
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