Settlement agreements

[Thisoldhouse]

Hi All'
This is an amazing site I love that people really try to make a difference,I do hope someone can point me in the right direction, I've recently been invited to a private conversation and have been issued a settlement agreement, I feel the agreement is very low but would like to know if the employer should include a breakdown as to how they have come to the settlement figure.

[ULA]

It would be very useful to know how they have broken down the figure they are intending to offer you. Have they provided a written draft of the SA?

In any event you will need to get independent legal advice from an employment lawyer who will explain the SA to you and consider whether what you are being offered financially is fair recompense of the rights you will be giving up and if not they can negotiate on your behalf to get the amount increased.

The SA will have to be signed off by the lawyer as part of the finalisation of the agreement. The company will be obliged to make a contribution towards the cost of this independent advice and if the SA is straight forward and there is little to negotiate the contribution should cover the costs.

[Thisoldhouse]

Thanks, ULA
I can confirm that I have had legal advice regarding the agreement and after having a consultation they believe I have a very strong case.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to instruct a solicitor on my behalf to negotiate the settlement at the moment as the funds just aren't there, so any advice on negotiation would be very useful.
Thank you again for you help

[ULA]

If the company want you to sign a settlement agreement then they will have to pay for you to have independent legal advice otherwise they cannot ask you to sign an SA that give up your rights. The lawyer's job will be to negotiate on your behalf and if that means it will cost more than the company has agreed to pay it will be up to him/her to ask for a further contribution towards their costs.*