Have you been offered a settlement agreement in Bristol?
Last updated: July 2026
Why does a settlement agreement need a solicitor at all? Because the law says it has to, and for good reason: once you sign, you can’t come back later and change your mind about the terms. If your employer in Bristol has put an agreement in front of you, we’ll advise you on the terms and the effects before you commit to anything. If you’re happy with the deal, it can even be signed off the same day. Your employer covers the legal cost in almost every case, and everything is handled by phone or video.
Call 0800 861 1883 or start your settlement online.
The four steps to getting your settlement agreement sorted
- Get the agreement to us. Email a copy over and we’ll arrange a time to talk, usually the same day.
- Have it explained clearly. We’ll walk through the terms and what they mean so you know what you’re signing.
- Sign when you’re ready. Your solicitor countersigns the adviser certificate required by law.
- Get paid. Your employer releases the settlement sum on the agreed timetable.
What a settlement agreement actually does
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract that brings employment to an end on agreed terms. Settlement agreements typically involve a payment to the employee in exchange for the employee agreeing not to bring some legal claims. For it to be enforceable under the Employment Rights Act 1996, it has to be in writing and the employee must have taken advice from an independent, qualified adviser beforehand. These were previously known as compromise agreements.
Bristol’s employment landscape
Bristol’s economy leans heavily on aerospace and defence. Airbus, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce all operate major sites at Filton, supported by a wider cluster of engineering suppliers — alongside a fast-expanding technology sector that’s now growing faster than almost anything else in the local economy. Financial services also employ a substantial share of the workforce, and the city has a long-established media and creative industry presence, alongside the NHS and local authority public sectors.
If your agreement includes a confidentiality clause, it’s worth knowing that the Employment Rights Act 2025 is bringing in new restrictions on how NDAs can be used in settlement agreements, following a government consultation that closed in July 2026. We’ve set out what’s changing here.
Settlement agreement questions in Bristol
Do I need to see someone face to face? No. Advice is given by phone or video call, which is usually quicker to arrange than an office visit and works well for settlement agreements.
Who’s actually paying for this? Your employer, in almost all cases — independent legal advice is a condition of the agreement being valid, so it’s typically built into the offer. Full details are in our cost promise.
Where’s the nearest Employment Tribunal to Bristol? Claims from Bristol are heard at the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre, 2 Redcliff Street, Bristol BS1 6GR. Most settlement agreements are resolved well before a claim gets anywhere near a hearing.
Will tax be taken off my settlement payment? Our tax guide explains what’s typically taxable.
Extra information
A settlement agreement is only valid under the Employment Rights Act 1996 if the employee has received advice from an independent, qualified adviser before signing. Read our full guide.
Legal Disclaimer
The contents of this article are intended to be for general information purposes only and do not amount to (nor are they intended to be) legal, tax or financial advice or a complete or authoritative statement of the law nor should they be treated as such. No warranty or promise is given, express or implied, as to accuracy of the information on this page and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. You should instruct a specialist employment solicitor to advise you on your particular situation and not act or rely on the information on this page.
