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Our ‘Top Tier’ employment solicitors provide tailored legal advice and guidance for settlement agreements and exit negotiations, including for executives and senior professionals.
A settlement agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee. These are legally binding documents that involve waiving employment claims in exchange for financial compensation or other benefits.
Settlement agreements are entered voluntarily and typically used as a way of avoiding formal redundancy or disciplinary procedures. They’re usually offered when an employer wishes to terminate an employee’s employment, although they can also be used to address disagreements.
They may be offered to executive-level employees in situations like dismissal, restructuring or voluntary resignation — in these instances, they’re often referred to as executive severance.
Our specialist employment law team — one of the largest in the North — routinely negotiates settlement agreements and exit packages. Many of these include significant financial elements and complexities on behalf of directors, executives and other professionals across the public and private sectors.
Leaving a role is never easy and navigating a settlement agreement can feel daunting, especially if you’re in a senior role. We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with career transitions and we’re here to ensure that yours is as smooth as possible.
If you’re facing an employment dispute or dismissal or you’re planning an exit, we can help you to protect your interests and negotiate the best deal for your future. We're recognised as one of the leading law firms in the country for our work with both employers and employees by The Legal 500 — so we understand employment law inside-out.
To discuss your situation, call us on 0333 004 4488, email hello@brabners.com or complete our contact form.
“Nick Campbell is described as 'first-class' by clients... his client list is formed of directors and senior executives who he assists in negotiations concerning exit packages, settlement agreements, bonuses and restrictive covenant releases.”
The Legal 500
“Matt Lavelle was instrumental when I was at my lowest and most vulnerable... I was very nervous about every step of the process but he reassured and empowered me to challenge my company and push for a better deal for myself and my family.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500
“The Brabners team made me feel welcome and understood. Compared to other firms, they acted fast to meet, provide initial assessment and discuss options and strategies.”
Client feedback, The Legal 500
“Sarah Day provided unwavering support and a strategic approach that led to a successful outcome. Her professionalism, attention to detail and ability to navigate the negotiations ensured that I achieved a fair and favourable settlement. Sarah’s dedication and clarity at every stage made a challenging process far more manageable. Sarah is the one to trust.”
Client feedback
“Lindsey Knowles navigated the complexities of my settlement agreement with remarkable speed and efficiency, ensuring that my interests were fully protected throughout the process. Her support and guidance were invaluable and I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate during this time. I highly recommend Lindsey to anyone in need of an employment lawyer.”
Managing Director of a Plc Business Unit
Settlement agreements are only valid if the employee has taken independent advice from a legal advisor. That’s where we come in.
Our award-winning solicitors have proud track records of enabling clients to exit on the best possible terms while preserving and enhancing their reputation. We have a preeminent national reputation with widespread recognition in The Legal 500, including as a ‘Top Tier Firm’ with various ‘Recommended Lawyers’ and ‘Next Generation Partners’.
When it comes to directors, executives and senior professionals, there can be complex contractual arrangements. Terms might relate to executive benefits, bonus and commission arrangements, incentive plans (both long and short term), intellectual property, shareholder rights and directors’ duties.
We can help you to negotiate the best possible terms which might include compensation or redundancy payments, confidentiality clauses and agreed references.
We’ll carefully review every detail of your exit package — from the executive benefits to post-termination restrictions — ensuring that nothing is overlooked. We’re comfortable when handling negotiations or working quietly and sensitively in the background to empower and inform your decisions.
The key thing is to take advice at the earliest possible opportunity, when you have maximum leverage. The earlier we’re involved, the better your prospects.
Whether you’re largely comfortable with or feel unsure about the terms of your agreement, we’ll be by your side — providing clear guidance and expert advice every step of the way.
Monetary compensation usually depends on your salary and benefits, the length of tenure at the organisation and the reason for your exit — so there's no ‘typical’ amount. This is particularly the case with senior roles, which may involve detailed contractual terms and benefit arrangements.
Your severance package or settlement agreement sum may be paid as a lump sum or over the course of a specified number of weeks or months. Importantly, amounts and terms in your agreement can be negotiated to achieve a more desirable outcome.
As well as financial compensation, your package may include other elements including pensions, retirement benefits, stocks and shares (including LTIPs and STIPs), bonus and commission arrangements, references, confidentiality agreements and outplacement support.
If you’re unhappy with the amounts and terms in your severance package, they can be negotiated. It’s important to take advice at the earliest possible stage for developing an exit strategy.
Our settlement agreement and executive severance service is led by Nick Campbell — our Partner and Head of Employment, Immigration & Pensions.
With a national reputation for dealing with complex employment-related matters and disputes — and recognised as an “expert in his field” by The Legal 500 — Nick has vast experience in negotiating complex senior exits, settlement agreements, grievance and disciplinary procedures and the enforcement of restrictive covenants.
Lindsey Knowles is also a key member of the team with a strong background in handling complex employment law matters including disciplinaries and grievance procedures, whistleblowing and discrimination matters as well as tribunal claims. She has significant expertise in negotiating settlement agreements and restrictive covenants. Her clients value her clear, pragmatic advice and dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes.
Senior Associate Sarah Day is highly regarded for her work on Senior Executive exits, often negotiating high-value settlements on behalf of senior individuals. Known for her approachability yet tenacity when fighting on behalf of her clients, her experience in negotiations can make a huge difference to the outcome.
Our wider employment law team is one of the largest and most celebrated in the North. Recognised in The Legal 500 ‘Hall of Fame’ and as a ‘Leading Firm’, we have offices in Liverpool, Manchester, London, Leeds and Lancashire, though we’re able to work with you wherever you’re based across England and Wales.
Particularly for senior professionals, having the very best legal counsel and strategic expertise in your corner can bring incredible peace of mind.
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Whether you’re looking to build or protect your family (or even deal with its breakdown), create a Will, trust or plan your succession, buy or sell property, land, an estate or a business, pursue a claim in negligence, negotiate a contract or plan for an exit, you can rest assured that our experts have the experience to get you where you need to be.
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