This is a case study of a contractual dispute in which I was representing the claimant, John. The facts are true but names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
An offer must be formally accepted before a legally binding contract can exist. Offers cannot be accepted by silence. If you do not have a legally binding contract and a dispute arises, you are unlikely to be able to reclaim any money owed to you. Read More
Heads of agreement (also known as heads of terms, a letter of intent or a memorandum of understanding) are a useful tool when negotiating complex contracts. Generally, they’re not legally binding, they act as an aide memoir of the headline points agreed whilst a formal contract is being drawn up.
However, as helpful as they can be, they can also be a hindrance if not used properly. So, in this blog we’re going to look at when you should use heads of agreement and what should or shouldn’t go into them. Read More
The terms of use and privacy policy are two of the most important pages on a website and yet they’re probably the least read.
When I advise a client that they should have them in place and offer my help in preparing them, their first reaction is often “No, don’t worry, I’ll copy them off someone else’s website”
Putting aside the fact that this would make them guilty of copyright infringement, here’s four reasons why this is a terrible idea and why your website should have a professionally prepared terms of use and privacy policy. Read More
When you enter into a contract with a client, you’re entering into a legally binding agreement. In an ideal world, the contract will run its natural course and come to an end when, for example, the project is complete and you’ve been paid.
However, sometimes circumstances change and you may want to terminate the contract early. So, if you want to avoid being sued for breach of contract, you must do this legally. Read More
If you’ve read our previous blog, the DNA of NDA’s, you will understand the importance of confidentiality agreements (also known as NDA’s and Non-Disclosure Agreements) for protecting confidential information.
However, you should not rely solely on the confidentiality agreement to protect your confidential information because once confidentiality is lost, it’s gone forever. Therefore, you should also take practical steps to protect the information as far as possible.
Related content: Blog – The DNA of NDA’s – Are confidentiality agreements worth the paper they are written on?
Here are our seven top tips for protecting confidential information (in addition to entering into a confidentiality agreement!). Read More
There’s always a great deal of debate about the value of confidentiality agreements (or NDA’s / non-disclosure agreements as they’re sometimes known). Some people (usually the owner of the idea or information) will insist on a confidentiality agreement being signed before discussing anything. Others (usually the one receiving the information) will point blank refuse to sign anything.
So who’s right? Read More
If you own and control 100% of your business, you can run it (subject to complying with the law!) pretty much however you choose. You don’t have to consult with anyone before making decisions and you can change your mind at the drop of a hat.
If you don’t own and control 100% of your business, you can’t do this. You have to consult and agree with your business partners about how you will run your business.
How these decisions are made and what happens if you can’t reach an agreement will have a huge impact on the success of your business so this is what we are going to look at in this blog. Read More
Hands up if you read all the small print on the back of an order form?
Who scrolls through and actually reads the terms and conditions on a website before clicking to accept?
I’m not seeing many hands!
OK, I admit it. When I’m in a hurry (which is most of the time) I don’t read them either.
So, this begs the question, if nobody reads the terms and conditions why use them? Read More
When a client comes to see me about starting a business, we always talk about the essential contracts their business needs.
Initially, they can be reluctance to spend money on them and often ask “Can’t I just download them from the net?”
I fully understand that money is tight and clients are keen to keep costs to a minimum wherever possible, but this is an area where cutting corners usually proves to be a false economy. Legally binding contracts are the foundations of your business and as I’ll explain, having solid foundations in place is one of the best investments you can make for the future. Read More
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