Restrictive Covenants for Software Developers

Posted by: junior0300
27/02/08 at 7:49 pm

I  am working as a software developer. I have a job offer from our competitor, they are paying me more than 30% than my current salary but my current employer is trying to stop me from accepting this offer, based on the following clause.

"During the term of your employment by the Company and for a period of twelve months after its termination howsoever arising and whether in breach of contract or otherwise, you shall not be engaged or interested (whether as principal, servant, agent, consultant, shareholder or otherwise) in any trade or business being carried on at the end of your employment by the Company or any Associated Company and with which you shall have been directly connected during part of the preceding twelve months."

I believe restriction to work all over the UK for 12 months is hard to impose and in the court they can fight only on the legitimate business interest. I am mainly responsible for bug fixing(mortgage sourcing software) how bad it can be for me?