Restrictive covenants
A restrictive covenant is an agreement (usually a clause within a contract of employment) between an employer and an employee that restrains the employee from carrying out certain actions both during employment and in the event that the employment ceases.
The actions that covenants commonly seek to prevent a former employee from carrying out include: competing with the employer, taking the employer's trade secrets and soliciting the employer's clients and/or staff.
Reforming non-competes? ‘Anti-business, worrying, unnecessary’
The government’s determination to curtail the use of non-compete clauses in employment contracts has been met with concern by legal...
‘Unfair’ non-compete and exclusivity clauses to be curtailed
The government has confirmed it intends to crack down on and potentially ban the use of non-compete clauses in employment...
Government to limit use of non-compete clauses
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Employers watch BBC’s social media struggles with interest
Legal expert says BBC's new impartiality drive has lessons for businesses worried over brand damage from employees' posts.
Should you enforce restrictive covenants during a pandemic?
With so many redundancies in the air, it's time for companies to reassess their attitudes towards restrictive covenants, argues Imogen Finnegan.
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The 10 most important employment law cases in 2019
We round up the most significant cases of the year including legal judgments on CCTV, restrictive covenants, enhancing shared parental leave, collective bargaining and more...
To compete or not compete, that is the question
The recent judgment on restrictive covenants in contracts, Tillman v Egon Zehnder, overturned a century-old principle on competition clauses. But...
Supreme Court overturns long-held principle on non-compete clauses
The Supreme Court hands down a decision that overturns a century-old principle on employee competition clauses.
Non-compete clause case should give business pause for thought
Businesses, particularly in the finance, technology, pharma, IT and manufacturing sectors use non-compete provisions to protect against potentially unfair competition...
Wording of restrictive covenants comes under Supreme Court spotlight
Employers are being warned about the wording of restrictive covenants...
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Springboard injunctions: Case law shows mixed success
Employers often use interim or “springboard” injunctions to protect confidential information after employees decide to leave. But they are not...
Restrictive covenants: would a “non-compete” clause have kept Mary Berry on the Bake Off?
The Government is considering a ban on restrictive covenants, but would this open the door to more poaching of staff?...
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