We are specialist employment solicitors here at Lincs Law Employment Solicitors. We therefore often assist clients who have applied for MARS (Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme). I have recently assisted several clients and I have been very grateful to receive 5-star reviews. If you are in this situation, we are here to help. Please read on to find out more.
If your application under a MARS has been accepted, your employer will likely require you to sign a Settlement Agreement. If you are in this situation, we are here to help.
What Is MARS?
MARS (Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme) is a voluntary severance scheme some employers offer employees. The scheme is designed to offer flexibility to employers when faced with certain circumstances, for example, financial problems or the need to restructure the workforce.
If you choose to apply for MARS, your employer will consider your application. If they accept your application, you will be given a MARS Agreement containing the terms on which you are agreeing to leave your employment. This usually comes in the form of a Settlement Agreement.
For more information about MARS, please see here – https://lincslaw.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-mutually-agreed-resignation-scheme-mars/
What Is A Settlement Agreement?
To explain, a Settlement Agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee which, usually, sets out terms for the employee to give up their job, their employment rights and any Employment Tribunal claims they may have (such as discrimination, Unfair Dismissal, unlawful deduction of wages) in exchange for a compensatory payment from their employer.
It is a condition of Settlement Agreements that an employee takes independent advice on its terms. For more information about this, please see our website here – https://lincslaw.co.uk/services/settlement-agreement/
I Have Been Accepted For MARS – What Should I Do?
If you have been successful in your MARS application, your employer will likely require you to sign a Settlement Agreement.
You will need to obtain independent advice for any Settlement Agreement to be valid. The first thing to do is therefore to research and find someone who can help you. Who you decide to obtain legal advice from is a very personal decision.
Employment law surrounding Settlement Agreements is fast paced and ever changing. You need to make sure you are taking your matter to specialists who are fully up to date and can assist with your situation. Also, a Settlement Agreement is a very important contract. You should therefore receive personal, bespoke advice on the agreement and your personal circumstances.
Here at Lincs Law Employment Solicitors, we are specialist employment solicitors. We therefore have significant experience advising on Settlement Agreements. We want to ease the stress and anxiety associated with the Settlement Agreement process. We pride ourselves in giving each client a very personalised service and clear advice about their situation, making sure they understand the consequences of signing (or not signing) the Settlement Agreement they have been offered.
The First Step – Free Initial Enquiry
The first step is simply to contact us for a free enquiry. We are very happy to help in response to a telephone, email or web enquiry. We will take some basic information from you including your name, the name of your employer and brief details of your employment issue. We will then be able to discuss your options and how we can assist you further.
Please contact us for a no obligation, free consultation. Simply use the contact form, engage in a web chat, email contactus@lincslaw.com or call us on 01522 440512 and we’ll be happy to help.
The Second Step – Settlement Agreement Fixed Fee Service
The next step will be to book a Settlement Agreement appointment with myself or one of the other specialist employment solicitors here at Lincs Law Employment Solicitors.
Before our appointment, we will spend time reviewing the terms of your Settlement Agreement in detail. During our appointment, we will then spend time discussing the following together:
- The circumstances of your situation;
- Any potential Employment Tribunal claims you would be settling if you chose to sign the Settlement Agreement;
- The overall “benefit” of your Settlement Agreement – i.e., what benefits you would be receiving over and above what you would otherwise be entitled to;
- Each of the individual terms of the Settlement Agreement in detail;
- The various options available moving forward.
Our meetings, as above, are scheduled for up to 90 minutes. Our meetings therefore provide you with plenty of time to discuss your options with a specialist employment solicitor on a 1:1 basis, and make an informed decision moving forward.
Following our meeting, we also confirm all our advice in writing to ensure you have a full record of our discussions.
For most people, a Settlement Agreement is dealt with at the first appointment. Subject to your instructions, we can assist you with signing your Settlement Agreement and returning the relevant documentation to your employer. However, we take the time to discuss the workplace circumstances which led to you being offered a Settlement Agreement on a 1:1 basis. This is so we can advise as to the “deal” being offered. If you are not being properly compensated or we consider there any other issues with your Settlement Agreement, we will advise you fully on the alternatives available to you.
Usually, an employer will contribute towards the cost of you taking advice on a Settlement Agreement. Our fees for advising on Settlement Agreements start from £350 plus VAT. For more information about this service, please see here – https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/settlement-agreements/
MARS Settlement Agreements – 5 Star Client Reviews
As a specialist employment solicitor, I often advise clients who have been successful in their MARS application and received a Settlement Agreement from their employer. I am always very grateful to receive client reviews. I have been particularly thankful to recently receive the following 5-star reviews and comments from such clients:
“Kate provided support for both a MARS contract and Reaffirmation letter. She talked me through both in a very clear and orderly way. Her communication was excellent and made everything very easy to understand. – The whole process, both contractual advice and liaising with my employer with regard to signing and communicating documents could not have been more straightforward. Excellent service.”
“Kate was extremely helpful, providing clear advice and guidance with my best interest at heart. She asked key question to aid her understanding of the situation and to facilitate her advice. She advised of next steps and timescales and always kept to these.”
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors Can Help You
If your employer has presented you with a Settlement Agreement, we would be delighted to help. Please contact us for a no obligation, free consultation. Simply use the contact form, engage in a web chat, email contactus@lincslaw.com or call us on 01522 440512 and we’ll be happy to help.
For more information about our fixed fee Settlement Agreement service, please see here – https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/settlement-agreements/
Kate Key
Specialist Employment Solicitor
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors
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