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Deen & Co Solicitors

FAQs

Straight answers, plainly written.

The questions clients most often ask us — about cost, timing, process and what to expect when working with a niche London employment-law firm.

Talk to us 0208 551 0476
Why do I need to sign an agreement?
Settlement agreements are used by employers to ensure that, with limited exceptions, employees who sign them cannot bring any claims against them in the future, and/or that any existing claims are settled. In return for you giving up your rights to issuing a claim, you will receive a compensation payment. If you do not sign the agreement, your employer probably will not agree to pay you compensation, or at least not as much as they are presently offering.
When will I get my money?
Your agreement should specify a time limit within which the money should be paid. Check your agreement and if still in doubt, contact us.
Will Deen & Co's costs come off the compensation payment?
No. You will receive the full payment. Usually your employer will cover the full cost of your legal advice.
Will I have to pay tax on the compensation payment?
Whether tax is payable depends on how the payment is made up. You will usually have to pay tax and national insurance on any wages and holiday pay. Generally, the first £30,000 of a payment made as compensation for loss of employment is tax-free. Redundancy payments up to £30,000 (both contractual and statutory) are usually tax-free. Payments in lieu of notice are tax free, provided that your employer doesn't have a contractual right to make a payment in lieu of notice; and, in a redundancy situation, provided that the employer does not usually make a payment in lieu of notice as a matter of course.
What about references?
There is generally no obligation on an employer to provide a reference. Any reference that is provided should be true, accurate and fair. If not, the employer may be guilty of negligent misstatement. It is possible to incorporate a reference into the agreement. If you specifically request this, and one has not already been agreed with your employer, you need to contact your legal representative to help you negotiate the content of the reference. We will, if asked, ensure the inclusion of an appropriate clause in the agreement. This may delay the time it takes to get the agreement signed.
What if my agreement states that the terms shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties?
This means that you will not be able to enforce any verbal statements given by the employer relating to the termination of your employment that do not appear in writing in the agreement — e.g. a promise to give you a reference, or extra payments.
How quickly can you advise on my settlement agreement?
We offer a same-day service for settlement agreements. Send us the agreement and we will review it, call you to talk it through, negotiate improvements where appropriate, and sign off the certificate the same working day in most cases.
Which areas of the UK do you cover?
We are based at 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London and act for clients across England and Wales. All work is done remotely via calls and emails, so geography is rarely a barrier.
Are you regulated by the SRA?
Yes. Deen & Co Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 560747. You can verify our registration on the SRA register and on the Law Society's Find a Solicitor service.
Can I speak to a solicitor outside office hours?
Yes. We offer telephone appointments between 17:00 and 21:00 because we know many clients cannot speak during their working day. Call 0208 551 0476 or email info@deenandco.co.uk to arrange.