Before you sign: seven clauses to check

Most disputes that reach court began with a vague or missing clause. Reviewing a contract before you sign costs far less than litigating after.

Seven clauses worth checking

1. The parties: who signs, in what capacity, and whether they can bind the company.
2. The subject and obligations: exactly what each side must do, and to what standard.
3. Price, payment method and payment dates.
4. Term, renewal and termination: how it ends and with what notice.
5. Penalty and compensation clauses: are they balanced and reasonable?
6. Dispute resolution: which court or arbitration, and which law applies.
7. Annexes and correspondence: what forms part of the contract.

When you need a legal review

When the value is large, the term is long, there are penalty or arbitration clauses, or one party is a foreign company. Send us the draft and the parties’ details and we will come back with written comments.

General information only; it does not replace a review of your contract.