If you've been offered a settlement agreement (previously known as a compromise agreement) following redundancy, you must seek independent legal advice for the final agreement to be valid.
However, many employees wonder about the costs involved and who pays the expenses of solicitor fees for reviewing the settlement agreement, identifying unfavourable terms, and assisting in negotiating a fair and favourable settlement post-redundancy.
Who pays the solicitor fees for a settlement agreement?
Your solicitor fees are usually paid by your employer, although there's no legal obligation for them to do so. Typically, employers contribute a set amount, ranging from £250 to £500, towards your legal costs.
If you think the settlement agreement is fair and simply need a solicitor to review the agreement, most solicitors will accommodate the budget set by your employer, so you won't have to pay out of pocket. If this is not the case, you will have to pay the difference between the budget stipulated by your employer and the solicitor's fee.
However, if you decide to negotiate a better deal with your employer and want your solicitor to do this for you, there may be additional costs involved.
Can I find my own solicitor to review a settlement agreement?
Yes, you have the freedom to choose your own solicitor to review a settlement agreement provided by your employer.
A settlement agreement is a legally binding document, and signing it means you agree to settle all listed claims, forfeiting your right to take your employer to an employment tribunal in the future.
Therefore, getting independent legal advice is crucial to ensure the agreement's validity.
At Lawhive, we offer free case assessments for individuals seeking solicitors to review and advise on settlement agreements.
During this assessment, our legal assessment team will inquire about your case and offer a fixed-fee quote for specialised assistance from our network of expert employment law solicitors. We'll also guide you on the subsequent steps involved in the process.
Do you need legal advice on a settlement agreement?
Contact Lawhive's Legal Assessment Get in touch with Lawhive's Legal Assessment Team for a free case evaluation.
We'll offer you the advice you need promptly and match you with the best employment solicitor from our network for your case.