John Hassells

About John

John Hassells is a specialist settlement agreement solicitor with over 20 years’ experience advising employees on settlement agreements and employment law disputes. John is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 168501) and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

John is a consultant solicitor at KBL Solicitors LLP, a law firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 627254). All advice for employees in relation to settlement agreements provided by John is through KBL Solicitors LLP.

John is recognised by the Legal 500 as ‘first rate’, with clients noting he ‘gets things done no matter how busy he is.’

John is available to journalists for press comment on employment law developments. You can connect with John on LinkedIn.’

What Clients Say


“Above and beyond. The solicitor was incredibly diligent during a very busy period in the lead up to the Xmas holidays and went that extra mile to get things sorted. His advice and guidance were very sound, and I have no hesitation in recommending him.”
AP, Settlement Agreement Client
“I had a great experience working with this solicitor on a settlement agreement with my employer. They were an excellent sounding board throughout the process, providing clear, practical advice and consistent support. I felt well informed and confident at every stage. Highly recommended.”
Ryan, Settlement Agreement Client
“Brilliant service! John worked on my case and I genuinely do not know what I would have done without him! Such a great guy, knows his stuff and no messing around. Will forever be grateful.”
AW, Settlement Agreement Client

Experience

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Settlement Agreements

  • Advising employees on the terms, effect and implications of settlement agreements across all sectors and circumstances.
  • Negotiating improved terms, enhanced references and amended restrictive covenants on behalf of employees.
  • Advising on redundancy settlement agreements, including statutory and enhanced redundancy pay, garden leave and PILON.
  • Advising senior executives on complex exit packages including share options, bonus entitlements and long term incentive plans.
  • Advising employees on settlement agreements arising from discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing disputes.
  • Advising on the confidentiality clauses, NDAs and permitted disclosures in relation to sexual harassment, discrimination and protected characteristic harassment under the Equality Act 2010.
  • Advising on tax free thresholds and post-employment notice pay tax.
  • Providing same-day and next-day settlement agreement advice to employees nationwide by telephone and video call.

Employment Disputes

  • Advising employees facing disciplinary proceedings, performance management and capability procedures.
  • Advising employees on without prejudice and protected conversations and their implications for settlement negotiations.
  • Advising on constructive dismissal, unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims.
  • Advising on workplace discrimination, harassment and victimisation claims under the Equality Act 2010.
  • Advising on whistleblowing and protected disclosure claims.

Career

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Head of Legal & Solicitor – SettlementAgreement.co.uk

  • 2025 – present
  • John delivers settlement agreement advice for employees through KBL Solicitors LLP.
  • John is responsible for delivering and/or overseeing settlement agreement advice for employees.

Founder and Employment Solicitor – Bolt Law

  • 2024 – present
  • John founded Bolt Law, a specialist employment law firm acting exclusively for employers.

HR and Employment Law Compliance Specialist – RSK Group

  • 2023 – 2025
  • John delivered specialist employment law and HR compliance support to the HR function of global employer with ~14,000 employees.

Employment Solicitor – Bramhalls Solicitors

  • 2017 – 2022
  • Senior employment solicitor acted for employers and HR teams in relation to complex employment law matters, employee relations cases, employee data protection, and employment tribunal claims.

Partner, Solicitor & Head of Employment – KBL Solicitors LLP

  • 2007-2022
  • John headed up the employment solicitor team, advising employers and senior executives on the full range of employment law matters.

Solicitor, Employment Law – Hill Dickinson

  • 2004-2007
  • Assistant Solicitor in the employment law team of this international law firm, acting for median and large employers, and senior executives on the full range of employment law matters.