Settlement Agreement Expert

Independent advice on settlement agreements

Settlement Agreement Expert is a British legal service specialising in the review and signing of settlement agreements for employees. It is led by Clive Mackintosh, an employment solicitor with over 30 years of practice and experience as an Employment Tribunal advocate. The service is presented as an independent review at no cost to the worker, with the aim of ensuring they understand the scope and consequences of the agreement before signing it.

Why the involvement of an independent solicitor is necessary

As the service itself explains, for a settlement agreement to be legally binding and effective in resolving employment disputes, the employee must receive advice from an independent adviser. This ensures they understand the terms and effects of the agreement, in particular its impact on the possibility of bringing a claim before an employment tribunal. The service stresses that its involvement ensures compliance with the requirements of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Services offered

• Review of the settlement agreement and the employee's contract of employment.
• Consultation by phone, email or video call, with no need for attendance in person.
• Explanation in plain language of the legal terms and of the employee's rights and obligations.
• Negotiation of better terms, such as higher compensation, employment references, outplacement support or the removal of restrictive clauses.
• Signing of the agreement and return to the employer for countersignature and completion.

Working process

The process described by the firm consists of three steps. First, the employee sends a copy of their settlement agreement and their contract of employment for review. A call is then arranged in which the solicitor explains the meaning and effects of the agreement. Finally, if the employee is happy with the terms, both parties sign the document and it is returned to the employer for countersignature and completion. The service states that the agreement is usually completed and signed within 24 hours of the consultation, or even the same day.

Clive Mackintosh's background and experience

Clive Mackintosh has been practising as an employment law solicitor for over 36 years and has extensive experience as an Employment Tribunal advocate. Throughout his career he has represented claimants in claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, breach of contract, wrongful dismissal, bullying and harassment. He has also held senior positions in both the public and private sectors. He founded Settlement Agreement Expert with the aim of providing an independent and fair review of settlement agreements, as well as qualified legal advice and negotiation support to employees who may have claims against their employer.

Professional cover and guarantees

The service declares that it is covered by professional indemnity insurance as required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which covers the risk of a claim arising from the advice given. The solicitor also states that his services comply with the applicable legal requirements and that his aim is for the settlement agreement to be completed to the employee's satisfaction.