NHS Settlement Agreement Solicitor Liverpool
If you work for the NHS and have been offered voluntary redundancy, MARS, or a settlement agreement, get legal advice before you sign.
These agreements often move quickly. The paperwork can look routine, but the terms still matter. You may be agreeing the date your employment ends, the payments you will receive, and the claims you will not pursue afterwards. A settlement agreement is a legal document which settles an employment dispute or potential claim.
At JR Levins, we provide fast, practical advice to NHS employees across Liverpool, Huyton, Widnes, Runcorn and Birkenhead. We can arrange an appointment in person or by Teams within 2 working days. Where timescales are tight, we can often move faster.
NHS voluntary redundancy and settlement agreements
NHS restructures, service changes, and cost reduction programmes can lead to voluntary redundancy processes and settlement agreements.
If you have received paperwork as part of that process, it is sensible to have it checked straight away. Even where the agreement looks standard, it is still important to understand exactly what it says, what you are giving up, and whether anything needs to be clarified before you sign.
Do I need a solicitor for an NHS settlement agreement?
Yes, if you are being asked to sign a settlement agreement.
For the agreement to be legally valid, you must receive independent legal advice before signing. Employees should usually be given at least 10 calendar days to consider the written terms and take that advice, unless both sides agree otherwise. NHS terms also state that the organisation will meet the reasonable costs of the independent legal advice taken by an employee who signs a settlement agreement.
That is why it is important to take advice promptly. Once we have seen the paperwork, we can explain the position clearly and tell you what needs attention.
Do I have to sign again after my employment ends?
Not always.
Some agreements only need to be signed once. Others may require a further certificate or reaffirmation after employment ends, especially where there is a longer gap between the agreement being signed and the termination date.
That depends on the wording of the agreement itself. There is no general legal rule that every NHS employee must sign again within 2 or 3 days of leaving. If your paperwork includes a short deadline, send it to us as soon as possible and we will advise you on what is required.
What will JR Levins check?
We will read the agreement carefully and explain it in plain English.
That includes the payments, notice, holiday pay, tax wording, confidentiality terms, and any post-termination restrictions which may continue after you leave.
If anything is unclear, unfair, or incomplete, we can raise that with the employer or their solicitors. If needed, we can also try to renegotiate terms which need to be clarified or improved.
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.
Where the employer is contributing, we will usually invoice them directly, so there is no need for you to pay us first and try to claim the money back later. That keeps the process simple and avoids unnecessary hassle.
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.
Once we have seen the paperwork, we can confirm the position quickly and let you know exactly what is covered.
How quickly can you help?
We can arrange appointments in person or by Teams within 2 working days.
If your deadline is short, send your documents to us as soon as possible. We are used to dealing with urgent settlement agreement work and can move quickly where needed.
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 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?
We know these matters often come with short deadlines.
Our employment team deals with settlement agreements regularly and understands the pressure that comes with urgent paperwork. We know what to look for, we explain things clearly, and we can work to tight timescales.
Our employment team is led by Jon Heath, 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’ website lists both Jon Heath and Tom Harvey within the employment team.
We can offer appointments in person or by Teams within 2 working days. Where deadlines are especially tight, we can often move faster.