You’ve just been given a settlement agreement by your employer but what do you do next? Even if it seems like they are giving you a fantastic deal and you want to sign on the dotted line straight away, you should take a breathe and consider your next steps and, in particular, whether you should get legal advice.

There are a number of reasons why you should obtain legal advice on a settlement agreement but the most important one is that it is required by law. If you enter into a settlement agreement but have not received legal advice on the terms and affect of that agreement, it will not be legally binding. This means that your employer would be under no obligation to follow through on any of the promises made to you and the employer would also be at risk because there would be nothing stopping you from bringing a claim against them in the courts of Employment Tribunal.

In seeking legal advice, you are also able to make sure that the supposedly 'fantastic' deal is as good as it seems and that there aren't any nasty hidden surprises. 

To ensure that the appropriate advice has been given, your legal adviser is typically required to sign a certificate as evidence.

If you have been given a settlement agreement and need advice, please contact Kezia Brown by email or on 01494 893504.