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Clarke Willmott LLP
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Specialist legal advice on negotiating and enforcing employment contracts

Our experienced employment contract solicitors advise both employers and senior professionals on drafting, negotiating and enforcing employment contracts, including director service agreements, consultancy contracts and high-value employment terms.

Employment contracts are more than just a formality. They define the scope of a role, protect business interests, and determine how exits – whether smooth or contentious – will be handled. For employers, the right contract mitigates legal and commercial risk. For senior executives, it should protect reputation, income, and future career prospects.

Our solicitors ensure every contract reflects the realities of the role, stands up to scrutiny and is future-proofed against employment disputes.

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Who we can help with employment contracts

Carefully drafted contracts and executive service agreements are the foundation of any employer/employee relationship. They protect the business and ensure employees understand what is expected of them in their roles and how they will be remunerated.

Employers

Our employment law team works with HR professionals, general counsel and leadership teams to draft robust, tailored contracts that protect the business and reflect its commercial priorities.

Our support includes:

  • Bespoke employment contracts for staff at all levels
  • Director and senior executive service agreements
  • Complex clauses covering intellectual property (IP), bonuses, garden leave and restrictive covenants
  • Contract alignment (known as ‘harmonisation’) as part of an acquisition or restructure
  • Enforcing contractual rights, including breach of confidentiality or post-termination restrictions
  • Responding to alleged breaches of contract – either defending a claim or enforcing terms via an injunction or litigation.

Senior executives

We advise senior professionals, directors and board members on negotiating contractual terms before joining, mid-contract or planning an exit, to protect your position, rights and reputation.

Our support includes:

  • Reviewing and negotiating contracts to protect income, equity and benefits
  • Challenging unfair or unclear changes to contractual terms
  • Enforcing rights around bonuses, notice or restrictive covenants
  • Exit planning and securing favourable terms
  • Breach of contract claims including unpaid salary, bonuses or misrepresentation

How our employment contract solicitors can help

We provide commercial, clear-sighted advice on every aspect of employment contracts, including:

  • Drafting and negotiation – contracts and service agreements that align with the role, sector, and legal standards.
  • Executive service agreements – detailed terms covering risk, reward and responsibility.
  • Restrictive covenants – balanced clauses that are enforceable and defensible.
  • Contractor and consultancy agreements – ensuring IR35 compliance and clarity on employment status.
  • Breach of contract advice – fast, strategic action to resolve disputes or recover losses.
  • Regular contract reviews – help to keep pace with legal changes and business growth.

Our expertise in employment contracts

As a firm, we have specific expertise in sport management and player contracts.

Our employment solicitors also have extensive experience in contract ‘harmonisation’, which is when a number of contracts need to be amended following a business sale or acquisition.

Our retained employment law services offer employers ongoing support at a fixed fee saving time and cost, while also minimising risk. Our services include drafting new employment contracts, handbooks and policies, and updating employment contracts to comply with current legislation.

Why choose Clarke Willmott for advice on employment contracts

  • Sector-specific expertise – Having a large team of employment solicitors gives us in-depth knowledge across various industries and enables us to understand the specific challenges and needs of your sector.
  • Cost-effective service without compromise – All our work is handled by the most-suitably qualified team for the issue, ensuring a high quality, efficient and cost-effective service.
  • Clear, practical advice in plain English – Our legal advice is always clear, straightforward and actionable, helping you make well-informed decisions with confidence.
  • Senior oversight throughout – One of our senior partners will oversee your matter from start to finish, providing strategic guidance and ensuring accountability at every stage.

Recognition for our solicitors

I’m always able to speak with someone from the team when I need to. They take the time to understand the situation and provide excellent advice that is not only legally compliant but also assesses the commercial risk.’

Legal 500 2026

“They don’t just offer legal solutions; they work in partnership with us, taking the time to understand the client’s unique needs and long-term goals.”

Chambers 2026

‘The individuals know how we care about getting things right and they in turn deliver great advice for us. Every member of the team is approachable.’

Legal 500 2026

“They grasped the issues immediately and were able to explain them to me.”

Chambers 2026

FAQs on employment contracts

A comprehensive and accurate consultancy or contractor agreement is essential if you are engaging consultants to work with your business. Without one, you may spend valuable time and money resolving tax and employment law problems down the line. We can help you ensure that your agreements cover all bases.

Our wider team includes tax solicitors who have significant expertise in advising businesses on meeting their IR35 obligations and corporate tax liabilities.

A senior role comes with more responsibility and more complicated remuneration and termination arrangements such as equity, deferred bonuses, fiduciary duties and post-employment restrictions. These carry greater legal and reputational risk for both parties so require more involved and detailed contract terms.

Common breaches of contract include failing to pay salary or bonuses, misusing confidential information, refusing to work notice or violating a restrictive covenant. We advise on both pursuing and defending breach of contract claims.

Speak to our employment contract solicitors

Whether you’re issuing a contract, preparing to sign one or dealing with a potential breach, we can provide pragmatic, strategic advice tailored to your situation. Call 0800 652 8025 now or complete the form below to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.

Our employment law team supports businesses and senior executives across the UK and internationally from our offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

Your key contact

Email Marc Long
Marc Long - Employment Solicitor - Southampton

Marc Long

Head of Employment and HR Team/COFA

Southampton and London
Marc Long is the Head of Clarke Willmott’s Employment and HR team specialising in TUPE and outsourcing.
View profile for Marc Long >

Meet our employment team

With seven offices throughout England and Wales, Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with a local presence. Learn more about our wider team of legal professionals and how they can support you.

Meet the team

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