Settlement agreement - anyone recommend a solicitor to assist?

ozgril2007

I've been offered a settlement agreement at work to leave the company. It's come quite out of the blue but I'm not happy there so I'm inclined to take the payment and leave. I think the settlement is okay but I need to appoint a solicitor to agree it and I would like some independent advice.

Can anyone recommend a solicitor for this?

I did a search on the law society website and 2300 options came up! I don't know where to start with choosing someone who will give me good advice and with a reasonable fee. The company has offered to cover up to 500 of the solicitor's fee.


Thanks for your help in advance.

Cornucopia

Where in the country are you? I would definitely try to go with a Solicitor you can physically go and see, if you need to.

Also, is there a Union at your workplace, or for your profession who could recommend someone?

janiebquick

Just go to any solicitors' office that's convenient for you and ask for an appointment with an employment specialist. The fees, however, will not be reasonable. In 30 years, I've twice had to do this and have found that what my employer was prepared to contribute was about half what it actually cost. So prepare for a total bill of around £1,000.

ohreally

Its customary for the lawyers fee to be paid by the employer.

lonestarfan

The Union will have a solicitor they regularly use. You don't need to be a member to ask the question of your Union for your trade. They may not disclose it but it's a start. The employer usually pays the fee but make sure they are! Also try ACAS as they may advise. Ring their helpline.

ozgril2007

Thanks for your replies. I'm London based and there are no union in my workplace/profession.

Cornucopia

Can I suggest Simpson Millar in Wimbledon Broadway?

Undervalued

ohreally wrote: »

Its customary for the lawyers fee to be paid by the employer.

No.

It is customary for the employer to pay a sum of money towards the employee's legal fees which is not quite the same thing!

Generally it will be sufficient for a solicitor to do the absolute minimum the law requires, which is exactly what the employer wants! They obviously don't want to be paying for the solicitor to negotiate on the employee's behalf.

It is worth noting that it is not actually obligatory for the employer to contribute to the employee's legal costs at all. In effect, it is all part of the settlement.

Cornucopia

Maybe you've experienced some particularly harsh employers?

Sometimes the split is genuinely mutual, and the employer is acting in good faith in providing for the costs of the solicitor, who in turn acts in good faith in providing a useful service to the employee.

I suspect the strongest, most cost-effective approach is where the employee has already negotiated the key terms to their satisfaction, and the Solicitor is therefore checking the general fairness as well as the detail of the Contract.

Alternatively, the general terms might have been agreed before the Contract is disclosed, and the disclosure itself may raise some issues.

natjscofield

I have recently been through the same thing. In total the solicitors fees were £350. I'm in the Midlands but if you'd like their details I'd be happy to send them over.

I initially sent over a PDF copy of the settlement agreement, the solicitor then looked over it. Some changes needed to be made so she sorted that out with my ex-employer's solicitors and received the final version ready for me to sign. I signed in person but from what I understand it's possible to have it posted to you to sign that way.

athensgeorgia

I work at a solicitors and we do do Settlement Agreements (we've actually had quite a lot recently). Most employers pay £250.00 + VAT for our fees and very recently had one that was willing to pay £350 + VAT. Our fees are usually what the employer is willing to pay. I work for a newly qualified solicitor and her 'time' is a lot cheaper than a solicitor who has been qualified for a number of years.

Settlement Agreements can be done without a face to face appointment. We can usually have the whole process completed in a couple of days assuming the employer is quick to respond.

With regards to the bill, it is sent to the employer for payment but ultimately if they don;t pay the client is responsible.

I agree with janiebquick your best option is to go on the Law Society and search for an employment solicitor.