Restrictive Covenants

When key staff leave, your business needs protection. Restrictive covenants are the legal tools that stop former employees from poaching clients, taking team members or using confidential information against you. We’ll help you draft, audit and enforce the right clauses, ones that protect your interests without risking enforceability.

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Restrictive Covenants

Tailored clause drafting

We draft clear, targeted restrictions that reflect the employee’s role, seniority, access and sector. This includes non-compete, non-solicitation, non-deal, non-poaching and confidentiality clauses.

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Contract and document audits

Auditing employment contracts, consultancy agreements, and shareholder documents enables the identification of risks, gaps or excessive terms. With us, you’ll get practical recommendations and improvements that reflect your business.

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Ancillary protections

We advise on related tools like garden leave, notice periods, confidentiality regimes, and fiduciary duties. These give you more time and control when an employee exits.

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Negotiating undertakings

We help you reach binding undertakings from departing staff or new employers, protecting your business relationships and avoiding escalation and protecting business-critical relationships.

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Questions we’re often asked

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What’s a restrictive covenant?

A contractual clause restricting certain activities after employment ends to protect legitimate interests.

Are non-compete clauses enforceable in the UK?

Yes, but only if they’re reasonable in scope, time, location, and necessary to protect legitimate interests.

How long can restrictions last?

Usually between three and twelve months, depending on the role and the risk.

Do I need a garden leave clause too?

Often yes. It lets you keep the employee out of the market during their notice while keeping them bound by their duties.

What helps enforce a covenant?

Well-drafted clauses, a clear business case, evidence of access to clients or data, and proof of misuse if it happens.

How quickly can you act?

We can issue letters before action immediately and apply for an injunction in urgent cases. These can be filed within days.

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Georgia was incredibly helpful throughout the process of reaching a settlement with a previous employer. Georgia took the time to understand my personal situation and provided clear, considerate, and professional guidance at every stage. Her support made a complex process much easier to navigate, and I felt reassured knowing I was in capable hands.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Chris is a great listener, clear communicator and, in my opinion, a genuinely good, kind human being. I have no hesitation in recommending Blacks in Leeds for any legal matters you may have; you'll be in good hands.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

I have dealt with Chris Allen recently concerning some rather upsetting and extremely delicate matters. Chris and the team have proved to be reassuring, down to earth and absolute consummate professionals.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Blacks helped us think beyond the sessions by supporting us to consider how the legislative changes translate into day to day behaviours and what this means for our culture in anticipation for our policy to be launched. This has supported follow on training delivery internally surrounding misogyny, misogynoir and trans-misogyny.

Employment Training Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

We had an excellent experience working with Blacks. From the moment we reached out to request training, they responded quickly and took the time to meet with us early on to understand our needs and the wider organisational context. They were patient and flexible as we worked through our planning.

Employment Training Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Ellie was absolutely amazing through the whole process. She made me feel at ease and was very efficient at replying to my emails and queries. I would also like to say a thank you to Jemma who was the first one I engaged with and made me feel comfortable and less anxious.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

I worked with Tom during a very stressful and time-sensitive settlement, and I’m genuinely so grateful for his support. From the start, he was calm, practical and incredibly thorough, which made a huge difference at a point when everything felt overwhelming.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

The service was 11 out of 10! Ellie kept me on the straight and narrow. She navigated the legal side and the emotional side incredibly well. She advised me brilliantly and I couldn’t be happier with that

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Euan Lawrence helped me with a HR issue with a former employee, and I was extremely impressed by his professionalism and the clarity of his advice in translating complex legal ease for the less legally minded individuals such as myself – I would fully recommend.

Employment Client

Trusted by organisations, families and professionals across the UK

Outstanding service from start to finish. The team’s work rate, speed of response, and legal knowledge were second to none. They consistently went above and beyond to get things done efficiently and with care. Special thanks to Richard P and Pete K for their exceptional support – true professionals!

Blacks Client

Experts in every area

Managing Partner

Ellie Broadhurst

Associate Solicitor

Jemma Fieldsend

Georgia Jeonney

Partner and Head of Employment

Graduate Solicitor Apprentice

Partner and Head of Employment

Anna Schiavetta

Senior Associate Solicitor

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