If you have been offered a settlement agreement as a senior employee, director, manager or professional, it is important to obtain clear, independent legal advice from solicitors who regularly deal with senior-level exits.
Settlement agreements for senior roles often involve higher-value packages, negotiated exit terms, confidentiality obligations and tight deadlines. Many employers also contribute towards the cost of your legal advice.
Our employment law team advises senior and professional employees on settlement agreements every day, helping you understand the offer, assess whether the terms are fair, and decide your next steps with confidence.
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between you and your employer that records the terms on which your employment will end and the compensation you will receive. In return, you agree not to pursue certain legal claims against your employer.
For senior employees and executives, settlement agreements are often part of a structured or negotiated exit rather than a simple redundancy process.
These agreements commonly arise from:
Senior settlement agreements tend to be more complex than standard employee settlements.
We review your covenants and non-compete clauses, advise on garden leave and address share options, LTIPs and bonus treatment so your future earnings are protected.
Senior roles attract enhanced severance packages reflecting responsibility, notice, bonus and contractual entitlements. We advise on tax-efficient structuring, including the 30,000 income-tax exemption and pension contributions, and how legal fees are treated.
There may be scope to negotiate:
Protecting your professional reputation is usually a key priority, and confidentiality clauses or a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) are often central to senior settlements, alongside an agreed reference.
Employers frequently impose short deadlines for signing. Prompt advice is essential. If you have been given only a few days to respond, our urgent settlement agreement advice page explains how deadlines work and what to do next.
For a settlement agreement to be legally binding, you must receive independent advice from a qualified solicitor.
We will:
In many senior settlement cases, employers offer a contribution towards the cost of your legal advice.
We will confirm:
Transparency on fees is always provided at the outset. For a full explanation of who pays settlement agreement solicitor fees and what the employer’s contribution covers, see our fees guide.
We understand that senior settlement matters are often sensitive and time-critical.
We offer:
If you have been offered a settlement agreement as a senior employee, executive or professional, contact us for confidential advice.
Call us or complete our enquiry form and a member of our employment team will be in touch.
Hibberts LLP Solicitors
25 Barker Street
Nantwich
Cheshire, CW5 5EN
Our service is provided by solicitors of England and Wales who are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Partnership No. OC317278
VAT Registration No. 310140535
