Contracts and entitlements for individuals

If you’re thinking of changing jobs, it’s a good idea to take legal advice from an employment specialist on your new employment contract and any benefits you’ve been offered before you sign. Moving to a new employer often means giving up (at least initially) the right not to be unfairly dismissed so you need to make sure you’re adequately protected from day one.

You should also check whether the move might place you in breach of restrictive covenants in your current contract (or any other obligations you might owe your current employer), particularly if other members of your team are moving to the same new employer.

We also regularly advise employees on their entitlements, including share options, commission or bonus entitlements, permanent health insurance, and pensions.

Occasionally, action taken against a minority shareholder employee could mean minority shareholder rights have been prejudiced. We can advise on these claims that can be brought in the High Court.

We can help with a wide range of issues in this area including:

• the terms of your contract of employment
• benefits
• pensions
• share options
• the impact of restrictive covenants
• adequate protection against dismissal

We tailor our advice to suit your needs. For example, we can give one-off advice on a single term of your contract or we can represent you throughout an entire negotiating process with your new employer.

Our experts balance an accurate analysis of the legal issues with commercial experience to give you the best chance of securing a satisfactory employment contract with minimal fuss.

We regularly act for employers as well as employees, so we have a good understanding of the employer's perspective when drafting and negotiating a contract of employment.

We are one of a relatively small number of employment law teams that is highly recommended in The Legal 500 (2023).

Our team is praised for their expertise, client service and personal manner. Clients note the team's "excellent client focus" and "client care, they are happy to discuss matters and think of commercial solutions."
We are a six-strong team of specialist employment lawyers with experience over the whole field of employment law, including high-profile employment cases with media interest.

Recent matters include potential team moves from one bank to another (involving complex issues such as restrictive covenants, confidentiality and fidelity), comparing and structuring packages to ensure high level employees receive proper compensation for any contingent benefits they will lose as the result of a move, negotiations to reduce the risk of employees receiving disappointing discretionary bonuses, as well routine enquiries about the meaning and effect of standard terms.