If you’ve been offered a settlement agreement by your employer, it’s crucial to seek professional legal advice before making any decisions.
At Morecrofts Solicitors in Liverpool, we specialise in providing expert legal support to employees navigating settlement agreements. Whether you’re facing redundancy, unfair dismissal, or a dispute with your employer, our experienced team is here to help you secure the best possible outcome.
What is a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement (formerly known as a compromise agreement) is a legally binding contract between an employee and employer that resolves potential disputes, often in exchange for financial compensation. These agreements are commonly used when an employee is leaving their job, either through redundancy, resignation, or dismissal. The agreement typically includes a waiver of certain legal rights, such as the right to pursue future claims related to the termination of employment.
A settlement agreement can cover a variety of employment issues, including:
- Unfair dismissal claims
- Redundancy packages
- Discrimination or harassment claims
- Breach of contract
While these agreements can offer a quick resolution, it’s essential to seek expert legal advice to ensure the terms are fair and that you’re receiving what you’re entitled to.
Why Employees in should seek expert legal advice
You may have been offered a settlement agreement, but signing it without fully understanding the terms could have long-lasting consequences. At Morecrofts Solicitors, we provide trusted legal advice for employees in Liverpool and beyond who have been offered settlement agreements. Here’s why it’s so important to seek legal guidance:
- Ensuring fair compensation
When a settlement agreement is offered, the compensation package should reflect your service length, salary, and any potential claims you may have against your employer. Our experienced solicitors in Liverpool will:
- Review the terms of the settlement to ensure it’s a fair offer.
- Help you assess whether the compensation reflects what you’re entitled to, including severance pay, redundancy pay, and compensation for any legal claims.
- Negotiate better terms if necessary, helping you secure the best deal possible.
We work hard to ensure that you are treated fairly and that the terms of your settlement reflect your legal rights.
- Understanding your legal rights and obligations
A settlement agreement involves waiving certain legal rights, which can be difficult to navigate without legal expertise. Our team will help you fully understand the implications of signing such an agreement, including:
- The scope of claims you are waiving, such as the right to bring claims for unfair dismissal or discrimination.
- Any restrictive clauses, such as confidentiality agreements or non-compete clauses that might affect your future career prospects.
- The tax implications of the settlement package, ensuring you don’t face unexpected tax liabilities.
Our expert legal team can ensure that you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to, so you can make an informed decision.
- Independent legal advice for employees
To make the settlement agreement legally binding, you must seek independent legal advice. At Morecrofts Solicitors, we offer this service to all employees in Liverpool and beyond who are considering a settlement agreement. Our solicitors will:
- Thoroughly review the terms of the agreement.
- Explain the legal consequences and ensure the settlement is fair and equitable.
- Provide practical advice on whether you should accept the offer or negotiate better terms.
We are committed to protecting your interests and ensuring that you are not pressured into signing an agreement that doesn’t serve your best interests.
- Avoiding legal pitfalls and long-term impact
Signing a settlement agreement can have long-term consequences. While these agreements are meant to offer a quick resolution, making the wrong decision could limit your ability to pursue legal action in the future. Our solicitors will:
- Ensure that all the terms are clear and fair, protecting your rights.
- Advise you on the potential long-term impact of the agreement on your ability to bring future legal claims.
- Assist with negotiating any unfavourable terms to protect your career and financial future.
Why choose Morecrofts Solicitors?
We’ve built a strong reputation for providing reliable, expert legal advice on settlement agreements. Here’s why we’re trusted by employees in the area:
- Local expertise: As a well-established law firm in Liverpool, we understand the nuances of local employment law and the specific challenges employees in this region may face.
- Tailored legal advice: Every employment situation is unique. Our solicitors provide personalised advice based on your individual circumstances, ensuring the best outcome for your case.
- Transparent Pricing: Your employer will usually give you an allowance for legal fees in getting advice on a settlement agreement. Usually this is sufficient to cover our fees in advising you. We will keep you updated so that there are no hidden costs or surprise bills.
- Experienced team: Our experts have years of experience handling settlement agreements and negotiating better terms for employees. We know how to fight for your rights.
- Confidential and professional service: We understand that your employment dispute is sensitive, and we treat every matter with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
Get the legal support you need
If you’ve been offered a settlement agreement or are facing an employment dispute, don’t sign anything until you’ve received independent legal advice. Our team at Morecrofts Solicitors is here to guide you through the process and ensure that you make an informed decision.
Contact us via our online form here and we will reply within 24 hours (usually sooner) or you can call us on 0151 236 8871.