No offence Helford but I'm not going to say - bit paranoid in case someone from employer recognises me. Btw I'm a zigg not a zagg :)

I'll have to risk it - pick up the excess if there is negotiation which doesn't produce an acceptable agreement. But I'll have to tell the solicitor up-front if it goes past ££, that's it. I can't afford to pick up a huge bill (especially if this doesn't work out).

Ok, thanks all - you've given me a bit of confidence. Plan is this - I need to speak to my employer next week anyway in response to their letter. I'll play it by ear, indicate I'm not against the idea in principle but I'm not overwhelmed by the offer put forward. If they are agreeable I'll take them up on the legal advice offer, have a solicitor review it, get some advice, and respond after that. Also ask them to extend the deadline because I'm not going to be rushed with this decision. Does that sound ok ? Just saw Andie's post - get them to confirm in writing they will cover £x of the legal fee whether I go through with the compromise agreement or not.

Somerset

JonCris, I'm not sure. Current situation - here is an agreement - we will pay £ for you to get independent legal advice - result you sign or don't (and if you don't we might or might not cover fee) My preferred route - Use the employer's independent legal £ offer - go to solicitor, say is it good/bad? can you negotiate better/add-on's/early pension etc - have solicitor negotiate with employer (don't know if they will though ). It might all come to nothing ie they won't negotiate or offer sod all extra - in which case I don't accept. Do you reckon they should still pay my legal fee ? I just think they're offering on the basis of what's on the table, not for a series of negotiations. I'll admit I know damn all about how this all works which is why I'm struggling.

Thanks JonCris I've already (over this weekend) done that and bookmarked a list of local solicitors that 'have a banner' that includes employment law. What I need is a magic wand to know which are the good ones !! Ain't going to happen is it ....... I'm just going to have to pick one and hope ! My employer will pay a fee (legal cost) but it's conditional on the compromise agreement being signed. Atm it's here .... this is the agreement .... get it checked over. What I want/need is a specialist solicitor to talk me through what else could be expected, whether the ££ is good/bad/improvable etc, and then negotiate (if my employer will). So this or revised agreement may never be signed, in which case I'm stuck with the legal fee. Maybe I'm wittering. I'd just feel more confident if I knew what deals other people had struck so I'd kind of have a benchmark. Plus if other people had agreed early retirement/pension deals .... anything really. I've been researching all weekend on the internet and there's just not much information on the kind of deals that have been made. Maybe because compromise agreements are usually confidential. But it makes it difficult for me to judge .....

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience of this kind of thing? Anything would be appreciated.

I'm on long term sick leave and have been offered a compromise agreement/payment. Without going into the details here : 1) There's only a short time-frame. I have to give a yay or nay by early July. This is a huge decision for me. If I get advice or try negotiating this will take time - I feel pressurised into making a fast decision. Just not sure if a two/three week decision deadline is usual/normal ? 2) I mentioned negotiating but I don't want to do it. I have googled the subject and there are loads of individuals/companies that say they deal with this type of situation . But how do I choose ? Everyone wants your fee and they are all brilliant ( plumber yellow pages scenario ! ). I've no idea where to start. 3) I've been offered one year's salary. I don't know if this is a good or bad deal. What else should I consider - pension, reference are bits I've thought of, but what else ? Many Thanks