Settlement Agreement Solicitor London Sign Off & Negotiation
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and an employee, used as a means of terminating employment. By signing a settlement agreement you are waiving your right to bring any employment related claims in the future, in exchange for certain payments, so it is vital you receive clear independent legal advice from an experienced employment lawyer.
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If you've just been offered an agreement…
You Have Limited Time to Decide, Make It Count
Your employer has likely given you a fixed window to consider the agreement, often ten days, though this is an ACAS-recommended minimum rather than a strict legal deadline.
You cannot sign a valid settlement agreement without first receiving independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor. If you proceed without one, the agreement is unenforceable, which could result in your missing legal deadlines for bringing claims without you being legally entitled to fair compensation in return.
David will review the full terms and advise whether the offer genuinely reflects the claims you are giving up. Acting quickly matters. Delays can weaken your negotiating position and reduce any leverage you may have to improve the deal.
35 years of advising senior professionals and employees on their exits.
As a leading settlement agreement lawyer in London, David Greenhalgh has over 35 years experience and in that time he has personally advised over 10,000 clients on their exit agreements.
Working with David means you get the benefit of his experience, which he will use to help you get the best possible exit terms. With clients in London, the South East, and throughout the UK, David gives straight forward employment advice to ensure you receive what is due to you.
The advice you take in the next few days will determine what you walk away with. My job is to make sure you get everything you're entitled to.
Hear how David approaches a settlement agreement.
A short introduction on what to expect from the process, and where the room to negotiate usually sits.
The terms most often improved through negotiation.
Significant increases in ex-gratia payment
The headline compensation figure is regularly negotiated often well beyond what was initially offered.
Confidentiality around settlement and background
Confidentiality clauses protecting both the fact that you entered into a settlement agreement, its terms and the circumstances of your departure.
Pension & benefits added to PILON
Ensuring your payment in lieu of notice reflects as much as possible of full your usual full package, including pension contributions and benefits, not just base salary. This will very much depend on the wording of your employment contract.
Agreed reference
An agreed reference negotiated directly into the settlement agreement, protecting your reputation and your next career move.
Bonus payments unlocked
Where bonus rules state nothing is due on exit, a properly argued case can secure a pro-rata or full bonus payment.
Restrictive covenants reduced
Non-compete post termination restrictions regularly removed or period of restriction reduced so you can move on without unnecessary constraints.
Share options, LTIPs, RSUs and MIPs preserved
Equity that would otherwise be lost on termination protected, including pro-rata vesting where possible.
Medical cover extended
Where ongoing treatment is a concern, continuation of private medical cover beyond your termination date can often be negotiated.
Recent settlement agreement outcomes.
Case studies are anonymised to protect client confidentiality. Past outcomes are not a guarantee of future results.
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Speak to David's team directly.
If your deadline is tight, a call is the fastest way to get a straight answer.
020 3603 2177- Same-day review of your agreement
- Fixed fee, usually paid by your employer
From First Call to Signed Agreement, Typically Within Days (same day if needed).
Initial Contact
Finding out how we can best help you.
Response within hoursAgreement review
David reads the full agreement, can raise queries with your employer where needed, and advises you on the effect of what you are signing up to .
Same dayNegotiation (if required)
David can engage directly with your employer to improve terms before you commit to anything.
Same-day to 1 weekSign-off
Once you are happy with the exit terms on offer, David provides his independent legal advice certificate and the agreement is finalised.
SettledWhat clients say about working with David.
David was very good and made it very easy for me to understand. My case was handled with professionalism and responding to me on time was excellent. Would definitely recommend him
Was recommended. Fantastic help and advice, always responded in a timely manner and supported and advised during a difficult time. Thank you!
Outstanding from start to finish. Extremely responsive and dedicated to providing personalised, thoughtful counsel tailored to my needs. David’s approach ensured clarity and a shared understanding throughout. Always candid and forthright, I felt confident I was receiving expert, high-quality, well-considered advice. Highest recommendation!
I have worked with David for many many years and have recommended him to many senior executives needing advice on their settlement agreements. The best employment lawyer in London, I choose him every single time and can't recommend him enough.
Settlement agreements, answered.
The questions David is asked most often.
View full FAQ →Yes. Under UK employment law, a settlement agreement is only legally valid if you have received independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor before signing. Without this, the agreement cannot be enforced, and you may still have the right to bring tribunal claims, subject to any applicable time limits.
You can draft the document yourself, but it will not be legally binding until an independent solicitor has reviewed it and provided formal legal advice. In practice, employers almost always provide their own draft.
If you signed without speaking to a solicitor first, the agreement is unenforceable. Other grounds that can potentially be used to argue an agreement is not enforceable may include that the agreement not being in writing, it fails to identify the specific claims being settled, it has been signed under duress, or it containing misrepresentations. An invalid agreement may mean that you can still pursue employment tribunal claims.
Sign-off is when you and the employer sign off the final agreed form of the agreement and David provides his signed formal certificate, making your agreement legally valid. David goes beyond that – he explains the wording of the agreement, helps you assess the adequacy of the compensation, and can advise on negotiation for better terms before you sign.
No. The legal requirement for independent advice cannot be removed or waived. There is no lawful route to a binding settlement agreement that bypasses this requirement.
Your solicitor must have no connection to your employer and must not act for your employer . David will advise you on the terms and effect of the agreement, specifically on your ability to bring employment tribunal claims, before you sign.