If you've been given a deadline to sign your settlement agreement, one of the first questions on your mind is likely going to be: how quickly can I actually get advice? For most employees, the answer is faster than expected — but the exact timeline depends on a few factors, from the complexity of your agreement to how quickly your employer responds. Here's what typically happens, and what can affect how long it takes.
Key takeaways
What you need to know
- Employees who use our service will receive their initial advice within 24 hours of onboarding.
- A single call or email is often enough to provide advice on a straightforward agreement in full.
- More complex matters — for example where there are multiple potential claims or ongoing negotiation — can take longer to fully resolve.
- You should be given a reasonable time to consider the terms, regardless of how quickly advice is given.
- Delays are usually caused by factors outside the advice process itself, such as waiting on your employer.
The typical timeline when using our service
For most employees, the process from first contact to signed adviser's certificate follows a predictable pattern. If you use our service, onboarding is usually completed the same day that you get in touch with us, and your documents are reviewed and initial advice given within 24 hours thereafter.
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Get in touch | Onboarding is usually completed the same day, often within a couple of hours of your first message. |
| Document review | Your settlement agreement and supporting documents are reviewed within 24 hours of onboarding. |
| Advice call or email | Advice calls typically take around 1 hour and are usually arranged for the same day as your document review. Should you wish to receive your advice by email, this is usually sent the same day as your document review. |
| Sign-off and certificate | Once you're ready to proceed, the adviser's certificate is usually issued the same day. |
In practice
Many employees can complete the entire process — from first enquiry to sign-off — within a single working day, provided they complete onboarding swiftly, their documents are ready and no further negotiation is needed.
What affects how long it takes
While the advice stage itself is usually quick, a few factors can extend the overall timeline:
| Factor | What it means |
|---|---|
| Complexity of the agreement | A straightforward termination is usually quicker to advise on than one involving multiple potential claims or unusual clauses. |
| Whether negotiation is needed | If the terms need to be renegotiated with your employer, this adds time that is largely outside the adviser's control. |
| Your own availability | Work can only commence once you've completed our onboarding and if you choose to receive advice on a call, that advice can only be given once you're available, so a busy schedule can push things back a day or two. |
| Your employer's responsiveness | If documents are missing or your employer is slow to respond to queries, this can cause delays. |
"The advice itself is rarely what slows things down. Most delays happen before or after — waiting on paperwork, or waiting on your employer to respond."
How long you have to decide
It's worth separating two different timelines: how quickly you can get advice, and how long you have to decide whether to sign. These are not the same thing, and receiving fast advice does not mean you need to rush your decision.
The ACAS Code of Practice on settlement agreements recommends that employees be given a minimum period of 10 calendar days to consider the proposed settlement agreement terms and to receive independent advice. Asking for more time to take advice — or simply to think things over — is entirely reasonable, and a properly conducted process should accommodate this.
Getting your advice early in that window simply means you have more time to consider your options, rather than facing a rushed decision as any imposed deadline approaches.
Getting started
If you have a settlement agreement, the quickest way to get moving is simply to get in touch with us. If your deadline is approaching, let us know as soon as you get in touch. Same-day advice can often be arranged.
Ready to get advice? Get in touch today — advice is provided within 24 hours of onboarding and is free to employees.
Ready to get started?
Get clear, expert advice within 24 hours
Contact us today to get advice on your settlement agreement. The service is fully remote, available anywhere in England and Wales, and free to employees (your employer covers our fees).
Get in touch →This article provides a high-level overview for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Should you choose to formally instruct us, legal services will be provided by Nexa Law Limited. Employment Settlement Solicitor is a trading name of RJB Legal Services Ltd, a limited company registered in England and Wales with number 17353836. RJB Legal Services Ltd does not provide legal advice. RJB Legal Services is a consultant practice of Nexa Law Limited, a limited company registered in England and Wales with number 10209198, which is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA number 633024.