# Non compete analysis ew
> Source: https://legalcode.md/skills/legalcode-non-compete-analysis-ew | [HTML version](https://legalcode.md/skills/legalcode-non-compete-analysis-ew)

Analyse English law restrictive covenant enforceability (England & Wales) covering the common law reasonableness test (legitimate proprietary interest +…

Analyse English law restrictive covenant enforceability (England & Wales) covering the common law reasonableness test (legitimate proprietary interest + proportionality of duration, geography, and activity scope), Tillman v Egon Zehnder [2019] UKSC 32 blue-pencil severance, garden leave and PILON interaction (Credit Suisse v Armstrong credit principle; Tullett Prebon combined-period assessment), springboard injunctions (Roger Bullivant doctrine; QBE v Dymoke [2012] team-move analysis; Aquinas Education v Miller [2023] continuing-benefit requirement), employee versus shareholder/business-sale covenant distinction (Nordenfelt permissive standard; Law by Design v Ali [2022] equity- stake spectrum), tiered/cascading covenants, consideration and mid-employment amendment requirements, and pending UK Government reform (November 2025 Working Paper; consultation closed 18 February 2026; four reform options including 3-month cap). Produces ENFORCEABLE / AT-RISK / PROBLEMATIC / UNENFORCEABLE / VOID classification with confidence-scored per-element analysis, Tier 1/2/3 prioritisation, actionable redlines, Glass Box audit trail. Use when reviewing employment agreements, severance packages, business-sale non-competes, or standalone restrictive covenant agreements governed by English law. Routes to legalcode-non-compete-analysis for cross-jurisdictional triage. Key authorities: Herbert Morris v Saxelby [1916] HL; Faccenda Chicken v Fowler [1987] CA; TFS Derivatives v Morgan [2004]; Tillman v Egon Zehnder [2019] UKSC 32; Planon v Gilligan [2022] EWCA Civ 642; Boydell v NZP [2023] EWCA Civ 373; Tom James v Potter [2025] EWHC 2873. Jurisdiction: England & Wales (primary); Scotland and Northern Ireland noted where divergent.

This skill analyses whether a restrictive covenant is enforceable under English law, identifies specific deficiencies reducing enforceability, generates confidence-scored assessments, and produces Tier-ranked remediation recommendations. **Covers:** - Common law reasonableness test: legitimate proprietary interest + proportionality - Four categories of protectable interest: trade secrets, customer connections, workforce stability, and specialist training investment - *Tillman v Egon Zehnder* [2019] UKSC 32 blue-pencil severance mechanics - Garden leave and PILON interaction — combined market exclusion period analysis - Springboard injunctions — separate equitable remedy independent of PTRNC validity - Employee vs. shareholder/business-sale covenant distinction - Tiered and cascading covenants - Consideration requirements — new-hire vs. mid-employment amendments - UK Government reform landscape (November 2025 Working Paper; outcome pending) - 5-tier enforceability classification with confidence scoring - Tier 1/2/3 prioritised remediation framework - Glass Box audit trail for counsel and board use **Does not:** - Draft new restrictive covenant clauses (this skill reviews existing clauses only) - Provide legal advice or predict court outcomes — judges apply fact-specific tests - Perform full cross-jurisdictional analysis (route to `legalcode-non-compete-analysis`) - Analyse non-solicitation of employees, confidentiality, or IP assignment provisions in isolation (see `legalcode-employment-agreement-review`, `legalcode-nda-triage`) - Apply to franchise agreement non-compete clauses (different framework — see ...

## Jurisdictions

United Kingdom — England Wales



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