Short answer
Prepare the draft agreement, contract, dismissal or grievance documents, key dates, offer history and a short summary of what you want changed.
When A Barrister May Help
Settlement agreements can involve legal rights, tax treatment, confidentiality, restrictive covenants, references, compensation and the risk of employment tribunal proceedings. A barrister may advise on merits and negotiation strategy.
Documents To Prepare
A focused review is easier if the documents are complete and the issue is clear.
- Draft settlement agreement and offer correspondence.
- Employment contract, handbook terms and restrictive covenants.
- Dismissal, grievance, redundancy or disciplinary documents.
- Pay, bonus, commission and benefits information.
- ACAS or tribunal documents if proceedings are possible.
- A list of the terms you want to negotiate.
Questions To Ask
Ask what work is included: advice on terms, negotiation points, tribunal risk, drafting amendments or representation at a hearing. Scope and fee should be agreed before work starts.
When A Solicitor May Also Be Needed
Some settlement agreements require independent legal advice for statutory validity or separate solicitor involvement. A barrister or chambers can explain what they can and cannot accept through Direct Access.
Separate Advice From Negotiation
State whether you want an explanation of the proposed terms, an assessment of an existing claim, help identifying amendments or active negotiation support. These are different tasks and may require different documents, time and fee scopes.
Identify the proposed termination date, response deadline, payments, notice position and any continuing obligations that concern you. Do not assume that a quote includes certification, negotiation, drafting and all later correspondence unless those items are expressly agreed.
Prepare A Focused Negotiation Brief
Summarise the employment history, reason for the proposal, any grievance or disciplinary process, the claims or risks you want considered and the commercial outcome sought. Mark any terms that are already agreed and those that remain disputed.
Include the agreement and related documents in readable form and explain who is currently communicating with the employer. A barrister or chambers must confirm the work they can accept, whether another adviser is required and the fee before work starts.
Editorial status: source and legal review required. No completed legal review is claimed.
Ask For A Barrister Quote
Barristers4U helps clients request a quote from a suitable Direct Access barrister. The information on this page is general information only, not legal advice about your individual circumstances.
If your matter is urgent, include hearing dates, court deadlines, orders and any documents you already have when you submit your enquiry.
