Can someone sue me for breach of restraint of trade?

Notionally, there is nothing wrong with this. The circumstances where this normally arises is where there is a restraint of trade clause in your contract of employment (a clause which states that you cannot work for the clients of a business if the relationship of employment is terminated). However, it sounds from what you have described that there is no such contract in place. Simply because someone threatens to sue you does not mean they actually have a viable casewhich will hold up in court. If they threaten to sue you they should at least state what cause of action they are proposing.



At any rate, you may have a viable debt recovery claim avaiable to you for unpaid invoices. Their failure to pay you may in fact give you a right to sue them. The problem with contacting the clients directly is that they might already have paid thier bill to the former partners and they will certainly not wish to pay twice. Having said that, I can see no problem with gathering information from them or entering into an arrangment for future services independent of your previous employer.