Employment Law solicitors in County Durham

A settlement agreement is a binding contract in which you give up your right to bring employment claims, usually in exchange for a payment and agreed references or announcements. For the waiver to be valid you must receive independent legal advice on its terms, which is why the employer normally contributes to your legal fees.

Three months less one day from the date of dismissal, and you must normally contact Acas for early conciliation before filing at an employment tribunal. Some claims, such as discrimination, use the same short timetable. Missing the deadline usually ends the claim, so take advice as soon as you suspect a problem.

Legal aid for employment cases is very limited and mostly confined to discrimination claims, which are sometimes funded under no win no fee or damages-based agreements instead. Many people use legal expenses insurance, union representation or a fixed-fee first consultation to keep initial costs predictable.

For most employees a careful read is enough, but senior roles, restrictive covenants, bonus plans and share arrangements repay proper advice before signature. Restrictive covenants in particular are only enforceable if reasonably drafted, and it is far easier to negotiate them before you sign than after you leave.