We are a group of personal trainers who are currently working for a company which is managed by a couple who are bullies, intimidating and very very difficult people to deal with. What we would like to do is is leave, become self employed and rent a gym space where we can train our current clients (they have all specified that they only wish to train with us and have no loyalty to the business managers as they have no relationship with them) however in our contracts it states that we are not allowed to appoach any current or preious client within a year of leaving. If the clients sign a disclaimer to say that they left of their own accord and that they approached us, would be still be liable to pay compensation???
      Answer1:Why dont you and the clients who you get on with look into starting a company and buying these bullies out?
      Answer2:That contract may prevent your plans.It can be as binding as a "Conflict of Interest" contract, or one that is written when a business is sold and the seller agrees not to open a similar business within a fixed distance. This I did when I sold a business.Yes, you could be sued since you signed such a contract.However that will not prevent you from opening at some distance but you are bound not to contact existing clients.Contact may be difficult to prove or disprove. That can only be answered by an attorney, I think.
      Answer3:buy domain-http://domainforsell.info/
      Answer4:talk to an attorney or just wait the year out. After the year is up take all the clients with you to your new place