Post-termination restrictions are unenforceable unless they go no further than necessary to protect a legitimate business interest.
That is why the sweeping twelve-month everything covenant pasted into every contract usually protects nothing at all, as it is too wide, and a court will not narrow it for you.
The people you most need to restrain are the ones who will take advice on whether your wording holds, and an unenforceable covenant is worse than a modest one, because it gives you a false sense of protection.
Covenants restrict what someone can do after they leave.
We help with:
- non-solicitation and non-dealing covenants for client relationships;
- non-poaching covenants to protect teams;
- non-compete covenants, where they are genuinely justifiable;
- confidentiality and protection of know-how after termination;
- reviewing covenants at promotion, when the old ones no longer fit; and
- reviewing the covenants a new hire is arriving with.
We draft role by role, scoped in time, geography and activity to what a court could accept, and supported by garden leave and notice provisions that do the same work more reliably.
On the hiring side we tell you honestly what risk you would be taking on. If a departure turns contentious, we give you a straight view of your position and introduce you to a litigator if it comes to enforcement.
Our Approach
Legal advice that makes running and growing your business easier.
We start with your business, not the law.
Before we open a document, we want to understand what you are trying to do commercially. The legal answer is only useful if it serves that.
We get to the point.
You get a clear view of what matters and what does not, in plain English, with the real risks separated from the noise.
We give you an answer.
Not a menu of options and a shrug. We tell you what we would do, why, and where there is a genuine judgment call for you to make.
We stay available.
Whether you work with us on a single project or on a subscription, we are here for the follow-up question. We would always rather you asked.
Ways of working together
Fixed-fee projects
A single, defined piece of work for an agreed fixed fee, communicated before we engage. Reviewing a contract, drafting your terms, handling a negotiation.
No surprises and no hidden fees
Flagship Subscription
Ares Access
Ongoing support on a fixed monthly subscription, for businesses that need commercial legal input regularly rather than as the occasional one-off.
- Dedicated lawyer
- Fixed monthly fees
- Commercial advice on demand
From £500 plus VAT per month
Legal Health Check
Fixed fee of £2,000 plus VAT
Any questions?
Phone: 02382 420035
