What are Restrictive Covenants?
Restrictive covenants can be in place to restrict the activities of a former employee or partner after their employment/partnership/
These clauses often prevent such a person, for a fixed period of time after their employment/partnership ends, from:
- Competing within a competitive business in a certain geographical area or business sector;
- soliciting clients/suppliers away to a new business;
- recruiting other employees/partners from the business; and
- ‘non-dealing’ clauses, i.e., aimed at preventing a person working with certain clients with whom they dealt whilst employed.
Importantly, the courts will only enforce such clause if it is reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate interest of the business/partnership. In addition, your contract of employment/LLP Agreement may include a provision that off-sets any time spent during garden leave with the length of time that you are expected to comply with the post-termination non-compete clause.
Share Purchase Agreements can also contain non-compete clauses/restrictive covenants – and given the nature of the relationship such restrictions may be easier to enforce. Whether you breach restrictive covenants may be relevant to any definition of bad leaver in any LTIPs.
Farore Law is a leading boutique law firm that has a wealth of experience in advising senior executives on employment matters. We are well placed to provide appropriate advice regarding the enforceability of contractual terms, seeking a settlement agreement and commencing or defending litigation in the High Court or the Employment Tribunal
Please contact us if you require legal advice.