With all the reports in the mass media about employment claims, and employees being awarded vast sums in compensation, it is surprising to find that it is rare for either side (employer or employee) to actually win their cases in the High Court or Employment Tribunal.

Over the years, only about 10% of cases brought by employees or employers finish with the claimants winning their cases. This is a statistic that means anyone planning a claim in the Employment Tribunal should think hard about the costs and risks.

Most Employment Tribunal Claims Are Settled

With only10% of cases being decided in favour of the employer or the employee that means that the remaining 80% of cases in the Employment Tribunal must have ended with an agreed settlement of the dispute.

These settlements do benefit employees of course, but employers also benefit from saving management time and reputational risk. Everyone gains from capping the costs and risks of the Employment Tribunal or the High Court.

Although it is never easy to feel you are getting less, or paying more, than you might have done, often the wisest course is to settle a case once and for all.

The independent adviser has an important role in making sure the agreement really means what it says, and as far as possible covers all possible issues. The independent adviser will normally be be an independent solicitor, and for a compromise agreement to be a valid it must be approved by someone  who is independent of the employer's disciplinary or redundancy process.

Guy Thompson & Co is an established law firm working for clients based in the City of London.

All Compromise Agreements are handled personally by Guy Thompson, or one of a select group of consultants who have worked with financial institutions and City companies and staff for many years. Arrange a meeting at their City meeting rooms, or wherever is convenient to you.

We can provide quick and objective advice to both employer and employee.

For further information call us now on 020 7274 6874 or write to us at guy.thompson@guyt.co.uk