Same-day remote settlement agreement advice in England & Wales: how fast ILA certificates can be arranged without delaying payment
Key Takeaways Settlement agreements in England and Wales are only legally binding if you receive independent legal advice (ILA) from a qualified solicitor before signing. Our solicitors offer same-day remote settlement agreement advice in England and Wales, so your adviser’s certificate can usually be arranged within hours without delaying your payment. Most employers cover the […]
Summer redundancy wave: what UK employees should check in a settlement agreement before signing
Key Takeaways During the summer redundancy wave, UK employees should check their settlement agreement for fairness of the financial terms, including both statutory and enhanced redundancy pay. Settlement agreements are only legally binding if you take independent legal advice from an SRA regulated solicitor under the s.203 Employment Rights Act 1996. Ex gratia sums up […]
Discrimination or whistleblowing claim: why the waiver wording in a settlement agreement matters
Key Takeaways The waiver wording in a settlement agreement is crucial because it determines exactly which discrimination or whistleblowing claims you are giving up. UK law states you cannot waive discrimination or whistleblowing claims unless you have received independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor under section 203 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Employers […]
Same-day settlement agreement advice: when remote solicitor sign-off can prevent a delayed exit
Key Takeaways Settlement agreements in the UK are only legally binding if you receive independent legal advice from an SRA regulated solicitor before signing. Same-day settlement agreement advice in the UK allows urgent remote sign-off by our solicitors, helping prevent unnecessary delays to your workplace exit. Your employer typically covers all legal fees for settlement […]
Restrictive covenants after exit: how non-compete and confidentiality clauses can limit your next job
Key Takeaways Restrictive covenants after exit, including non-compete and confidentiality clauses, can legally limit your ability to work for competitors or use sensitive information after leaving a role. Not all non-compete clauses or confidentiality clauses are enforceable in the UK, as they must protect a legitimate business interest and be reasonable in scope, duration and […]
Settlement agreement tax basics for 2026: when compensation is likely to be tax-free and when it is not
Key Takeaways Settlement agreement tax basics for 2026 highlight that only certain compensation payments can be tax-free; elements like notice pay and holiday pay remain taxable. In England and Wales, the first £30,000 of a genuine ex gratia termination payment may be tax-free, while sums above are taxed and may be subject to national insurance. […]
How to check if your redundancy package is below the legal minimum in England and Wales
Key Takeaways You can check if your redundancy package is below the legal minimum in England and Wales by comparing your offer to the statutory redundancy pay rates based on your age and years of continuous employment. Statutory redundancy pay is a legal entitlement if you have at least two years’ continuous service, and is […]
Settlement agreement references: can you negotiate a better reference and what key clauses do UK employees miss?
Key Takeaways You can negotiate a better reference in a settlement agreement, including agreed wording and limits on what your employer can say to future employers. Including a clear, written reference clause is the best way to prevent negative, inconsistent or verbal references undermining your future job prospects. Our solicitors routinely secure bespoke reference clauses, […]
Constructive dismissal settlement agreements: warning signs that the offer may be too low
Key Takeaways Many constructive dismissal settlement agreements undervalue your claim, especially if they do not account for potential employment tribunal compensation, notice pay and your tax-free element. Warning signs that your settlement offer may be too low include offers below your notice period value, lack of additional ex gratia payments, or ignoring discrimination or whistleblowing […]
Protected conversation at work: what it means, what you can say, and how it affects settlement negotiations
Key Takeaways A protected conversation at work allows your employer to discuss possible termination or settlement negotiations with you confidentially under section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Protected conversations are legally ‘off the record’ for most unfair dismissal claims but do not cover allegations involving discrimination, whistleblowing, or improper behaviour. You are not […]
