A deed of release is a type of agreement used to resolve a legal dispute between two or more parties, or to give a party certainty that there will be no legal claim made in the future. A deed of release is sometimes called a “deed of release and settlement” or a “deed of settlement”.
In this article, we explain:
When can a deed of release be used?
A deed of release can be used:
to prevent any further issues arising from the dispute from being raised in the future
to give comfort that if an amount is paid, no further amounts can be requested at a later date
to ensure the details of the dispute are kept confidential
to record how the parties will convey the dispute to the outside world
to put an end to a disagreement without having to admit liability or wrongdoing
to avoid the cost of lawyers fees and litigation costs
Signing a deed of release will cause the disagreement to come to an end according to the terms of the deed.
In what contexts are deeds of release used?
Deeds of release are used to resolve legal disputes. The following are some examples of the types of disputes that can be resolved by using a deed of release:
Commercial disputes
When engaged in a commercial dispute, both parties can resolve the issue by using a deed of release. The parties can agree on the terms of the deed of release in a way that suits both parties.
By signing the deed of release, the dispute effectively comes to an end and the parties are free to pursue their commercial interests (subject to the terms of the deed).
Employment disputes
Deeds of release are often used in the context of an employment dispute. For example, when an employee’s employment agreement is terminated, they may be asked to sign a deed of release.
The deed will ensure that the employee will not be able to make any employment claims against the employer and is usually provided in exchange for some payment or benefit (in addition to their statutory entitlements).
Loan or credit agreement disputes
A deed of release can be used in terminating a loan or credit agreement, such as a personal guarantee or any other finance agreement.
Insurance-related disputes
Deeds of release can also be used in any satiation where both parties want to be mutually released from liability under a contract or any kind of agreement.
By signing the deed of release they will be released from obligations, claims, or any other actions that may arise from their legal contract.
The terms of a deed of release
The specific terms of a deed of release depend on the nature of the dispute and the outcome each party wants to achieve.
The most common terms which are included in deeds of release are set out below.
A description of the parties
An effective deed of release must contain the names of the parties.
The name of the parties must be accurate, otherwise, the deed may be unenforceable and ineffective.
For companies, the deed of release should include the full corporate name and ACN. If an individual is signing a deed of release, their full legal name (first name and surname) must be included and spelt correctly.
The recitals
Recitals described the background to the problem that the deed of release is trying to solve.
The recitals can be short, descriptive and should contain key facts which are not disputed by the parties.
The release clause
A release clause is the fundamental term of a deed of release.
A release clause ensures that at least one party (but perhaps both) releases the other party from all claims.
The definition of what a "claim" is depends on how that term is defined under the deed. It can mean whatever the arising out of the subject matter of the dispute.
In most cases, the release clause should be specific, rather than providing a release in relation to issues that are unrelated to the dispute. For example, a dispute might relate to a particular employment-related matter regarding bullying, but it doesn't apply to claims related to any other grievances the employee may have.
The circumstances where a deed of release may not contain a specific release clause may be where a building contractor requires a deed of release before paying a subcontractor's final payment claim.
The deed of release may or may not be in exchange for the final payment (for instance, the deed may be required before or within a certain amount of time from receiving the payment). In any event, these kinds of deeds of release are likely to contain a broad release clause.
The settlement clause
For at least one of the parties, the payment (or "settlement") clause is the most important clause in a deed of release.
Often, one of the parties is going to pay the other (either in the form of money or some other benefit) in exchange for the releases set out in the deed.
A settlement clause in a deed of release should address:
the amount that is going to be paid
what the amount is comprised of
how the amount will be paid (for example, by electronic funds transfer)
when payment will be made (usually a certain period of time from when the deed is signed by both parties)
that the payment is made in exchange for the releases
that the payment is in full and final satisfaction of all claims relating to the dispute
Confidentiality
A confidentiality clause is a common term of a deed of release. In most cases, it will be important that the terms of the deed of release itself are kept confidential.
There may also be other information that either or both parties do not want to disclose to anyone else.
A confidentiality clause should contain clauses that exclude certain circumstances, for instance:
information that is required to be disclosed due to a legal requirement or for accounting or audit purposes
information that is public knowledge or becomes public knowledge (other than as a result of breaching the deed of release)
Return of property
For employment-related disputes, a deed of release may contain a clause requiring the employee to return company property. This may be required prior to and as a condition precedent to payment being made by the employer.
Execution clause
An execution clause is the part of the deed of release where the part(ies) sign the deed.
For companies, a deed of release should be signed in accordance with s 127(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
For individuals, a deed of release should be signed by the person who is a party to the deed and it should be signed by someone who witnesses the party apply their signature to the deed of release.
Non-disparagement
A non-disparagement clause obliges the parties to the deed of release to refrain from making any negative or derogatory comments about the other party.
A non-disparagement clause is an important clause in a deed of release, but it can be difficult to police.
The risks of signing a deed of release
Even though signing a deed of release puts an end to a dispute or disagreement, it can also limit your legal rights. As a result, when signing a deed of release both parties need to understand the terms of the contract and understand what rights they are giving up on and what liability they are accepting.
Because of this, it’s critical to get some help reviewing the deed from an experienced contracts lawyer.
Breaching a deed of release
If a party breaches any of the agreement terms, for example when an employee shares confidential information about the company, the other party has legal rights.
The party, in that case, may have the right to begin legal proceedings to recover damages for any damage due to the breach of the deed of release.
How Can Prosper Law Help?
Talk to an experienced employment lawyer who can help with your legal matter. We only charge fixed legal fees, so you have certainty around legal costs. Contact Prosper Law today.
Contributors: Farrah Motley (Legal Principal of Prosper Law), Nada Saleh (Legal Intern), Hadba Alzammam (Legal Intern) and Ziad Baraja (Legal Intern)
You can purchase an Employment Deed of Release here.
Want to read more? Check out our article What Does Limitation of Liability Mean?
Farrah Motley | Legal Principal
PROSPER LAW - A Commercial Law Firm for Businesses
M: 0422 721 121
A: Suite No. 99, Level 54, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland Australia 4000
Comments