Settlement Agreement Lawyer

Whether you are an employer managing a departure or an individual who has been presented with an agreement to sign, getting the right advice before anything is finalised matters. Our settlement agreement lawyers advise employers and individuals across Manchester and the UK, providing clear, practical guidance on settlement agreements, exit packages, and redundancy arrangements at every stage of the process.

What is an Employee Settlement Agreement?

A settlement agreement is one of the most significant legal documents either party will encounter in the employment relationship. For employers, a poorly drafted agreement can fail to provide the protection it was intended to give, leaving the business exposed to future claims. For individuals, signing without proper settlement agreement legal advice can mean giving up valuable rights for less than you are entitled to. Our solicitors advise on the full range of exit arrangements, from straightforward redundancy settlements to complex senior executive departures involving restrictive covenants, share options, and negotiated terms.

Our Employment Settlement Agreement Services

From straightforward redundancy settlements to complex exit negotiations, our settlement agreement lawyers provide focused, practical support at every stage.

For Employers

Settlement Agreement Drafting: We draft settlement agreements for employers that are legally sound, properly structured, and provide the certainty needed to conclude a departure cleanly. A poorly drafted agreement can be challenged or fail to settle the claims it was intended to address.
Redundancy Settlement Advice: As a redundancy agreement solicitor advising employers and individuals, we manage redundancy programmes, draft redundancy agreements, and advise on whether the settlement reflects statutory and contractual entitlements.
Without Prejudice & Protected Conversations: We advise employers on initiating and managing without prejudice discussions and protected conversations correctly, before any formal process has started.
Senior Executive & Director Exits: Complex departures involving share options, LTIPs, bonus entitlements, and post-termination restrictions require specialist advice. We advise on the full range of issues that arise at senior level exits.

For Individuals

Settlement Agreement Review: Our settlement agreement lawyers review the terms being offered, advise on whether they are reasonable, identify anything that should be changed, and where appropriate, negotiate improved terms before you sign. If you are looking for settlement agreement solicitors near me, our Manchester team advises clients across the UK.
Exit Package Negotiation: Where the initial offer falls short, our solicitors advise on negotiation strategy and support you in reaching terms that reflect the value of what is being settled, including compensation, notice, benefits, and references.

Why Choose MAR Legal for Settlement Agreements

Solicitor-Led Advice

Every settlement agreement is reviewed or drafted by a qualified settlement agreement lawyer with direct employment law experience.

Both Sides Advised

We act for employers and individuals, giving us a clear understanding of what each party needs from the agreement.

Fast Turnaround

Settlement agreements often have tight deadlines. Our settlement agreement lawyers work efficiently to meet them without compromising the quality of advice.

Clear, Fixed-Fee Options

Transparent settlement agreement solicitors cost before committing, with no unexpected additions. We are always clear about settlement agreement solicitor fees from the outset.

When To Seek Advice

You are an employer looking to conclude a departure cleanly and need a legally sound agreement drafted
You have been presented with a settlement agreement and need a settlement agreement lawyer to explain what you are signing
You believe the settlement being offered does not reflect what you are entitled to and want to negotiate
You are managing a redundancy programme and need settlement agreements drafted for multiple employees
A senior executive or director departure involves complex financial arrangements that need specialist advice

Solicitor providing advice on employment settlement agreements in the UK

Specialist lawyers for fair and efficient employment settlement agreements.

How Our Employment Settlement Agreement Process Works

Initial Consultation

We take a brief on the situation, review any documentation provided, and give you an honest assessment of the terms and your position.

Review or Drafting

We review the agreement in detail or draft new terms from scratch, identifying issues, flagging risk, and advising on what needs to change.

Negotiation

Where the terms need improving, we advise on negotiation strategy and support the process until better terms are agreed.

Sign-Off

Once the terms are agreed and the agreement is in final form, we advise on signature and ensure all parties understand the effect of what is being signed.

Settlement and exit matters often arise alongside other employment issues. You may also need support with:

Settlement Agreements & Exit Management FAQs

A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and an employee that resolves an employment dispute or brings the employment relationship to an end on agreed terms. In exchange for a financial payment, the employee waives their right to bring specified claims against the employer, typically including unfair dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract. For the agreement to be legally valid, the employee must receive independent legal advice from a qualified adviser on the terms and effect of the agreement before signing. The adviser must sign a certificate confirming that advice has been given.

No. You are never obliged to accept a settlement agreement. You have the right to reject it, negotiate the terms, or take further time to consider. The offer of a settlement agreement does not in itself mean that your employer has acted unlawfully, but it does mean they want to resolve the matter without formal proceedings. A settlement agreement lawyer can help you assess whether the terms are fair, what you might be entitled to if you rejected the offer and pursued a claim, and whether there is scope to negotiate a better deal before making a decision.

It is standard practice for the employer to contribute toward the employee’s legal costs for receiving advice on a settlement agreement. This contribution is usually a fixed sum specified in the agreement itself. In straightforward cases, the employer’s contribution will cover the cost of the advice in full. In more complex matters, or where negotiation is required, there may be additional costs beyond the employer’s contribution. Our solicitors will always be clear about fees before any work begins so there are no surprises.

They are the same thing. Compromise agreement was the term used before 2013, when the legislation was updated and the name was changed to settlement agreement. You may still see the term compromise agreement used, particularly in older documents or by solicitors who have been practising for some years, but the legal effect is identical. If you are presented with a document described as either a settlement agreement or a compromise agreement, the same rules apply and the same independent legal advice requirement must be met before it becomes binding.

A protected conversation is a mechanism that allows an employer to have a confidential discussion with an employee about bringing the employment relationship to an end, without that conversation being used as evidence in unfair dismissal proceedings. It was introduced by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. The protection only applies to ordinary unfair dismissal claims. It does not protect conversations that involve improper behaviour, discrimination, or whistleblowing. Employees who are approached for a protected conversation should seek settlement agreement legal advice before responding, as what they say and how they respond can affect the outcome.

There is no fixed formula. The value of a settlement agreement depends on several factors including the employee’s length of service, their salary and benefits, the strength of any potential claims, the employer’s appetite to avoid tribunal proceedings, and any contractual entitlements such as notice pay, accrued holiday, and bonus. As a starting point, the settlement should cover at least statutory entitlements. Beyond that, the additional payment reflects the value being placed on the waiver of claims. A settlement agreement lawyer can advise on whether the amount being offered is reasonable and whether there is a basis to negotiate more.

Yes. Settlement agreements frequently include confidentiality provisions that prevent either party from disclosing the terms of the agreement or the circumstances of the departure. These are commonly referred to as non-disclosure agreements or NDAs. There are legal limits on what can be covered by a confidentiality clause. Following legislative changes, NDAs cannot be used to prevent an individual from disclosing information to the police, a regulator, or their legal adviser, and cannot be used to silence whistleblowing disclosures. Any confidentiality provision in a settlement agreement should be carefully reviewed before signing.

Get Expert Help with Your Employment Settlement Agreement

Whether you’re an employer looking to manage an employee’s departure or an employee negotiating your exit terms, MAR Legal is here to help. Our team of experts will ensure that your employment settlement agreement is fair, legally sound, and in your best interests.

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Settlement Agreement Lawyers & Exit Management Advisory for Employers and Individuals

What is an Employee Settlement Agreement?