NHS Settlement Agreement Solicitor Liverpool
If you work for the NHS and have been given voluntary redundancy paperwork, a MARS offer, or a settlement agreement, it is important to get legal advice before you sign.
These documents often arrive with short deadlines and very little explanation. They can affect when your employment ends, what you will be paid, and what rights you may be giving up. What looks like routine paperwork can have lasting consequences if it is signed without proper advice.
At JR Levins, we advise NHS employees across Liverpool, Huyton, Widnes, Runcorn, Birkenhead and the wider Merseyside area. That includes staff working for NHS Trusts, Foundation Trusts, Integrated Care Boards, Commissioning Support Units and other NHS organisations. We can usually offer an appointment in person or by Teams within 2 working days, and where timescales are tight, we can often move faster.
I have been offered an NHS exit package. What does that mean?
NHS restructures, service changes and cost reduction programmes can lead to different types of exit arrangements. In the NHS, different terms are often used at the same time. That can make it hard to work out exactly what is happening.
You may see references to voluntary redundancy, MARS, a settlement agreement, or a further certificate to sign when your employment ends. They are connected, but they do not all mean the same thing.
The wording matters, because it affects what you are being asked to agree to and what advice you need.
What do the terms mean?
| Term | What it usually means in practice |
| Voluntary redundancy | You agree to leave as part of a redundancy process, usually in return for a redundancy payment. |
| MARS | This stands for Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme. It is a voluntary exit arrangement where you agree to leave on agreed terms. |
| Settlement agreement | This is the legal document which records the terms of your exit. It becomes binding once you have received independent legal advice. |
| Reaffirmation | In some cases, a further document or certificate may need to be signed after employment ends, especially if there is a gap between signing the agreement and your leaving date. |
You do not need to work this out on your own. Once we have seen the paperwork, we can explain which process you are in and what it means for you.
Do I need a solicitor for an NHS settlement agreement?
Yes, if you are being asked to sign a settlement agreement.
For a settlement agreement to be legally valid, you must receive independent legal advice before signing. In simple terms, that means a solicitor has to explain the agreement to you properly before it can take effect.
This is important because the agreement will usually deal with your pay, notice, tax wording, confidentiality, and the claims you agree not to bring after your employment ends.
In most NHS cases, the employer will contribute towards the cost of that advice.
Do I have to use the solicitor my employer suggests?
No. Some NHS employers suggest a solicitor or law firm to deal with settlement agreements. That may seem convenient, but you are entitled to choose your own independent solicitor.
Many clients prefer to choose their own solicitor so they can feel confident the advice is focused entirely on their position and not simply on getting the paperwork signed quickly.
What will JR Levins check?
We will read the agreement carefully and explain it in plain English.
That includes the payment being offered, notice arrangements, accrued annual leave, tax wording, confidentiality clauses, and any post-termination restrictions which may continue after you leave.
Where relevant, we will also check whether the agreement includes any repayment terms, restrictions on returning to NHS work, or anything else that needs to be clarified before you sign.
If anything is unclear, unfair or incomplete, we can raise that with the employer or their solicitors.
Will the NHS pay for legal advice?
In most NHS settlement agreement cases, our advice is covered by the employer’s contribution, so there is usually no cost to you.
The employer will typically contribute around £500 plus VAT towards the cost of independent legal advice. In many standard cases, that is enough to cover the full cost of our advice.
That means there is usually nothing extra to pay out of your own pocket for the normal advice needed on the agreement. We will invoice them directly to avoid any unnecessary hassle for you.
If your matter needs work beyond the usual advice on the agreement, for example wider negotiations or more complex issues, we will explain that clearly before any extra costs arise.
How quickly can you help?
We know these matters often arrive with very little warning.
We can usually arrange an appointment in person or by Teams within 2 working days. If your deadline is especially short, let us know straight away. We are used to dealing with urgent settlement agreement work and can often move faster where needed.
Key Contacts at JR Levins
Jon Heath
Jon leads JR Levins’ employment team. He has more than ten years’ experience as a tribunal advocate and has also represented clients in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
Tom Harvey
Tom assists on employment matters and works closely with clients where agreements need to be reviewed promptly and clearly. He qualified as a solicitor in early 2025 and is experienced in supporting clients across contentious legal matters.
Speak to JR Levins today
If you are an NHS employee who has received voluntary redundancy paperwork or a settlement agreement, get advice before you sign.
JR Levins can review the documents quickly, explain your options clearly, and help you move matters forward without delay.
Call 0151 480 5777 or use our contact form below to arrange an appointment.
SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS
If you need any further assistance please give us a call on 0151 480 5777 or fill in our contact form below.
Why choose JR Levins for NHS settlement agreement advice?
Clients in this position are often worried, under pressure, and unsure what the paperwork really means.
Our role is to explain things clearly, answer your questions properly, and help you move matters forward with confidence.
You will be advised by a solicitor from our employment team, led by Jon Heath and assisted by Tom Harvey. Jon has more than ten years’ experience as a tribunal advocate and has also represented clients in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
JR Levins is a local firm with offices in Huyton, Widnes, Runcorn and Birkenhead. We are used to helping clients across Liverpool and Merseyside when urgent employment documents need to be reviewed quickly and carefully.