Contract Review Before Signing

Understand what you are signing before you are bound by it.

Once you sign a contract, you are generally bound by its terms, even if you did not read them. A focused legal review before signing identifies the risks, the clauses worth negotiating and the obligations you are taking on.

Red flags we look for

  • Personal suretyships: making you personally liable for a company’s debts.
  • Automatic renewals and long notice periods that lock you in.
  • Limitation of liability and indemnities that shift risk onto you.
  • Unilateral variation clauses allowing the other party to change terms.
  • Breach, penalty and cancellation clauses that are one-sided.

What a review gives you

A clear summary of the key terms and risks, practical recommendations, and proposed amendments you can take back to the other party.

Fixed fees

Contract reviews are often well suited to a fixed or capped fee, so you know the cost upfront.

Contracts we review

Common contracts include:

  • Supplier, distribution and service agreements.
  • Commercial and residential leases.
  • Employment contracts and restraints.
  • Software, SaaS and technology agreements.
  • Loan agreements, guarantees and suretyships.
  • Shareholders’ and sale of business agreements.

How it works

A quick, focused process.

  1. Send the contract
    Send us the draft and tell us your concerns and deadline.
  2. Review
    We review the contract against your commercial goals and the applicable law.
  3. Report
    We provide a clear summary of risks, recommended changes and points to negotiate.
  4. Negotiation
    If you wish, we propose amendments or negotiate directly with the other party.

Even standard-form contracts can often be negotiated, particularly on liability, payment and termination terms.

GET IN TOUCH

What to send us

To review your contract, we need:

  • The draft contract, including annexures and terms and conditions.
  • Background to the transaction and your role.
  • Your key concerns and commercial priorities.
  • Any related correspondence or proposals.
  • Your deadline for signing.

Common Questions

Most standard contracts can be reviewed within a few working days. Urgent reviews can often be accommodated.
Possibly, depending on the terms, whether there was misrepresentation, and consumer protection laws. Get advice as soon as possible.
Yes. A suretyship can make you personally liable for a company’s debts, often without limit. Read it carefully and consider limiting the amount or duration.
It applies to many consumer transactions and gives consumers certain rights, such as protection against unfair terms. It generally does not apply to juristic persons above a certain turnover or asset value.
It depends on the length and complexity of the contract. We usually agree a fixed or capped fee upfront.

ABOUT TO SIGN A CONTRACT?

We review contracts quickly and clearly, so you can sign with confidence or negotiate better terms.

Read more: Essential agreements every business owner needs · Cancelling a contract for breach

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This page is general information and not legal advice.

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