Employment Contract Review

Reviewing an employment contract before signing is the single most undervalued piece of legal work in this space. By the time problems surface, usually at exit, the leverage to fix them is gone.

What to look for before signing

The points that matter most on review are: notice and termination (including any pay-in-lieu mechanism); restrictive covenants (which determine what you can do next); bonus and equity provisions (when do they vest, what happens at termination, what are the conditions); and any 'side' arrangements that should be in the contract but are documented separately.

A review will not negotiate the document for you; that is a different exercise, but it will tell you where the real points of risk are and what is worth pushing on before signature.

Whether you are an employee wanting to understand what you are signing or an employer wanting a contract checked before issuing it, a professional review identifies the key provisions, risks, and any unusual or onerous terms.

Example: a typical scope and fixed fee

For a single employment contract review, the typical scope looks like this.

What's included

• Review of a single employment contract
• Advice on key provisions including notice periods, restrictive covenants, bonus and commission, holiday, and any unusual or onerous terms
• A clear written summary with practical recommendations
• A follow-up call or email exchange to discuss the findings

What's outside this scope

• Review of multiple contracts (I can quote for batch reviews)
• Redrafting the contract (see Junior or Senior Employment Contract)
• Employment tribunal advice or representation
• HR advice on the employment relationship
• Tax advice

Fixed fee: £450, no VAT.

How I will approach your matter

Once you have instructed me, I will be in touch within one working day. Send me the contract and I will provide a clear written summary of the key provisions, risks, and practical recommendations, followed by a call or email to discuss the findings.