Read the contract as a plan for disagreement, not a description of the relationship while everyone agrees. Who decides completion? What happens when scope changes? When is payment due? If the text does not answer, it is not finished.
Confirm the party and signing authority
A company name may be correct while the signer lacks authority, or a trade name may appear instead of the registered entity. Check the legal name, registration, address and capacity of the signer.
This affects who is bound, whether a branch or parent is involved and whether guarantees or approvals were issued by an authorised person.
Make the scope measurable
Phrases such as ‘provide full support’ do not define completion. State deliverables, specifications, dates, handover and acceptance.
For ongoing services, separate work included in the fee from work requiring a change. Many disputes begin with additional work one party treats as included and the other treats as extra.
Payment needs more than a bank account
Define the due date, condition and document required for payment. State whether payment follows invoice, acceptance or a stage, and explain tax, external costs and permitted deductions.
- Attach measurable rates or milestone schedules.
- Identify approval and invoice requirements.
- State who bears taxes, fees and third-party costs.
- Avoid unclear rights to withhold or deduct payment.
Create a written change process
Identify who may request and approve change, how it is priced and whether time is extended. If urgent work is common, use a short approval route rather than ignoring change control.
- Authorised persons.
- Written description of changed scope.
- Price and time impact.
- When the change becomes binding.
Termination and dispute clauses must work
Review termination events, cure periods and what happens to completed work, advance payments, data and confidentiality after the relationship ends.
Specify governing law, competent forum or a workable arbitration clause, and approved notice addresses and receipt rules. A clause that cannot be applied only moves the dispute.
Questions on this topic
Short answers before you begin.
Is an online contract template enough?+
It may be a starting point, but it does not know your parties, scope, payment method or particular risk. A general form needs adaptation before approval.
When should the contract be reviewed?+
Before signature and before performance begins. Review after payment or delivery is usually management of an existing problem rather than prevention.
Must every good contract be long?+
No. A concise contract can work for a simple deal if it clearly addresses parties, scope, price, term, change, termination and dispute.
Official sources
Laws and electronic services change. Check the current legislation and information published by the competent authorities before acting.