Have you been handed a settlement agreement by your employer in Bolton? Whether you’re facing redundancy, a performance improvement plan, or a grievance situation, its a legal requirement of a binding settlement agreement that you obtain independent legal advice.
Legal advice for employees in Bolton and the surrounding areas of Greater Manchester and Lancashire, from a specialist employment solicitor are entirely independent of your employer and working solely in your interest.
Why Employees in Bolton Choose Us
- Free initial advice — your employer typically pays our legal fees
- Specialist employment solicitor advice with expertise in settlement agreements
- Fast turnaround — most agreements reviewed and signed within 24–48 hours (if your happy with the terms)
- Fully independent — acting for you, not your employer.
- Fully qualified solicitor with over 20 years experience supporting employees, and a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
What Is a Settlement Agreement?
A settlement agreement (previously known as a compromise agreement) is a legally binding contract between you and your employer. By signing it, you agree to waive your right to bring certain employment tribunal claims in exchange for a financial payment and/or other benefits.
Under UK law, a settlement agreement is only valid if you have received independent legal advice from an independent legal adviser such as a qualified solicitor or barrister. This means is is standard for the employer to contribute towards your legal costs — making advice effectively free for you.
Common situations where a settlement agreement is used:
- Redundancy — individual or part of a collective process.
- Dismissal or termination of employment due to performance, or ill-health.
- Workplace grievances or disciplinary proceedings
- Discrimination or harassment grievances or claims (for example age, sex, race, disability, religion, or sexual orientation)
- Whistleblowing or protected disclosures
- Constructive dismissal or breach of contract
- Mutual agreement to part ways because things aren’t working.
Understanding the Settlement Agreement Terms?
Before you sign anything, it’s essential to that a solicitor explains the full terms and the effect of agreement.
Our Bolton settlement agreement solicitor will:
- Go through the document with you carefully.
- Explain the terms and clarify anything you are unclear about.
- Discuss the confidentiality and secrecy obligations and the types of disclosures you are still able to make,
- Go over the payments and benefits and explain what the agreement says about tax deductions and liabilities.
- discuss any restrictive covenants that could limit your future employment
- consider whether any changes are advisable to protect you.
In many cases, we are able to negotiate improved settlement agreement wording on your behalf at no additional cost to you.
How Our Process Works
Step 1 — Contact us for free
Call or email us to speak with a specialist settlement agreement solicitor. We’ll take initial details and arrange a convenient time to go over the agreement together.
Step 2 — We review your agreement
We’ll carefully review the full settlement agreement and all supporting documents. We’ll explain every clause in plain English so you fully understand what you’re signing.
Step 3 — We advise and, if needed, negotiate amendments
If the terms are reasonable and you are happy with the offer, we can move to sign-off. If not, we can go to your employer seeking changes to the wording of the agreement. Our solicitors are skilled at doing this with extensive experience corresponding with employer HR and legal teams.
Step 4 — Signing and completion
Once you’re satisfied with the agreement, we’ll counter-sign the certificate of independent legal advice and your settlement can complete.
Most cases complete within 1-2 working days if you’re happy to proceed with the agreement your employer has given you.
Serving Bolton and the Surrounding Area
We advise employees working for businesses across Bolton, including those based at Middlebrook Retail & Leisure Park, Bolton town centre, and industrial sites across BL1 to BL7 postcodes.
We also serve employees commuting from nearby towns and areas including:
- Horwich
- Farnworth
- Westhoughton
- Little Lever
- Kearsley
- Tyldesley
- Leigh
- Chorley
- Bury
- Salford and Greater Manchester
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a settlement agreement solicitor in Bolton?
In most cases, no. Employers are legally required to contribute to your independent legal advice costs, and the contribution offered — typically around £500 plus VAT — although employers sometimes contribute more or less. Our cost promise is the solicitor’s fees for advising you on the terms of the agreement will not be more than the amount your employer agrees to pay, giving you peace of mind.
How long does it take to get a settlement agreement signed?
Once we have received all documents, most straightforward settlement agreements can be reviewed and signed within 24 to 48 hours (during the working week). If negotiation is required, this may take a few longer, and depends how long HR take to come back to us, but they are usually good at coming we will always keep you updated.
Can I negotiate my settlement amount?
Entering into a settlement agreement is entirely voluntary. So yes, if you are not satisfied with the terms, you may decide to seek improved financial terms. But there may be other improvements, like agreeing a delayed termination date, reference wording, and the removal of onerous post-termination restrictions.
What is the difference between a settlement agreement and a COT3?
Both are legally binding agreements that settle employment claims, but they arise in different ways. A settlement agreement is reached directly between you and your employer (with legal advice). A COT3 is recorded by ACAS as part of early conciliation or a tribunal settlement process. We advise on both. There is no legal requirement for the employee to receive independent legal advice on a COT3. However, as part of your discussions through Acas you can ask that your employer contributes a reasonable amount towards you getting advice on the written COT3 agreement. If they refuse and you wanted a solicitor to check it and advise you, you would bear the costs of that advice.
IMPORTANT: The contents of this page are general guidance only and should not therefore be regarded as constituting legal or other advice or recommendations. You are free to instruct any solicitor you wish.
