26 Jul

Who can I instruct to advise on a Settlement Agreement

Hastings and Co Solicitors specialise in Settlement Agreements

What are Settlement agreements?

A Settlement Agreement is an agreement between an employer and an employee. Settlement agreements are an offer from the employer of financial compensation or another incentive to an employee, which is usually above and beyond what you would be entitled to upon termination of your contract.

When does an employer offer a settlement agreement?

Your employer will offer you a settlement agreement when they wish to terminate your employment. The onus is on the employer to adequately compensate you for the loss of your job. Once you sign and enter into this agreement you will have no legal rights to claim against your employer at a later date for any further financial reward or compensation.

What am I entitled to in a Settlement Agreement?

It is essential that you seek expert legal advise prior to signing any offer made to you by your employer. Individuals are often surprised to learn of what they may or may not be entitled to.

At Hastings and Co, Liam is an experienced employment solicitor having provided advice to employees regarding settlement agreements for over 17 years. Liam will quickly identify what you are entitled to and if appropriate will negotiate better terms for you as an employee before you agree to sign the agreement.

Liam will explain everything simply, in plain English so that you will be confident in his advice at this crucial point in time. He will negotiate the best compensation package for you depending upon your circumstances, should the original offer not be in your best interest.

How much will it cost me to instruct a solicitor to advise on a settlement agreement?

It is a key feature of Settlement Agreements that the employee must receive independent legal advice and it is usual for the employer to pay for that advice. This is usually a pre-determined set fee stated within the settlement agreement itself. Liam would simply charge the employers direct for his services.

Once I have signed a settlement agreement can I make a claim against my employer for compensation

The simple answer is, no. Once the agreement has been signed the only action you can take against your employer is to enforce the agreement itself.

Claims for additional compensation made at a later date cannot be made under any circumstances which is why you seek advice at Hastings and co.

For simple, friendly expert advice call 01621 876031

02 Jan

Settlement Agreements

Until 29th July 2013 settlement agreements were known as compromise agreements, however, they are essentially the same thing with a new name.

A settlement agreement is a binding agreement between an employer and an employee. The employee usually agrees to accept a sum of money in return for agreeing not to bring certain claims against the employer in the Employment Tribunal or other courts. Essentially the employee is signing away his or her rights.

Sometimes an employer will ask an employee who is being made redundant to sign a settlement agreement. Whilst redundancy is potentially a fair reason for dismissal it can become an unfair dismissal if the employer does not follow the correct procedures. Some employers like the assurance of knowing that the employee will not be able to bring a claim for unfair dismissal, even if the claim has no merit. Other times, there is a difficult history between the employee and employer and hence an even greater reason for the employer to end the relationship on agreed terms.

One of the key features of a settlement agreement is that the employee must receive independent legal advice from a qualified adviser (usually a solicitor) before the settlement agreement is signed. The employer usually pays for the employee to be advised and usually the settlement agreement says how how much the employer is willing to contribute toward the cost.

Since the recession started I have advised more than a hundred employees in connection with their settlement agreements. I also act for employers and so have experience seeing it from both sides of the fence.

Liam Hastings specialises in employment law and civil litigation. For further information please telephone 01245 835 305 without any obligation.

Disclaimer: this is only a brief overview of the law and not intended as a substitute for legal advice.

30 Jul

Changes to Employment Law on 29 July 2013

Employment Law Update

Liam Hastings of Hastings & Co Solicitors based in Chelmsford, Essex looks at recent changes to employment law.

A number of changes came into force yesterday including:-

1. Fees are being introduced in the Employment Tribunal

Employees wishing to start claims in the Employment Tribunal must now pay fees. The fees are paid in two stages. The first fee is paid when the claim is issued and the second fee is paid shortly prior to the claim being heard.

There are two sets of fees. For basic claims eg unpaid wages the initial fee will be £160 and the hearing fee will be £230. For more complicated claims eg unfair dismissal claims the initial fee will be £250 with a £950 hearing fee.

In some instances Employers will be ordered to pay fees also, for example if making a counterclaim or on appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

The Tribunal will have discretion to order the losing party to reimburse the winning party of the fees paid.

Employees on low incomes will be able to apply for a fee remission. Nonetheless, employee groups are worried that this will deter employees from bringing genuine claims.

This is probably good news for employers as less claims will be made.

2. New unfair dismissal compensatory award

The unfair dismissal compensatory award limit will become the lower of the statutory cap (currently £74,200) or one year’s pay. The new cap will apply where the effective date of termination is after 29 July 2013.

3. Compromise agreements to be renamed settlement agreements

“Compromise agreements” will now be called “settlement agreements”. However, they will operate in the same way as before.

4. New employment tribunal rules of procedure

The new rules of procedure will replace the old rules and simplify the procedures.

5. Pre-termination settlement discussions

Most offers made or discussions held with employees with a view to terminating their contract of employment will be inadmissible in any subsequent unfair dismissal proceedings. So, for example, an employer will be able to make an offer to terminate an employee’s employment without fear of the employee referring to the offer in subsequent unfair dismissal proceedings. However, employers need to be careful as there are certain exceptions and the offers/discussions will not apply to other types of claims for example discrimination claims.

Hastings & Co Solicitors specialises in employment law. Contract Liam Hastings on 01245 835 305 for further advice or assistance.

Disclaimer: this is a very brief overview of the changes introduced yesterday and not intended as a substitute for legal advice.