Contracts Articles

Expert articles and practical legal guides on contracts for uk businesses.

Management Buy-In in the UK: Legal Steps, Deal Structures and Key Documents

Management Buy-In in the UK: Legal Steps, Deal Structures and Key Documents

A management buy-in can be a game-changing moment for an SME. Done well, it brings fresh leadership, new capital and a clear plan for growth. Done poorly, it can create uncertainty for...

1 February 2026
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UK Startup Funding Round Legal Checklist: Key Documents & Terms

UK Startup Funding Round Legal Checklist: Key Documents & Terms

Getting ready for a funding round is exciting - and a little intense. You’ve got pitch decks flying around, investor calls stacking up, and probably a product roadmap you’re still trying to...

31 January 2026
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Are Volunteers Part Of Your Business? You Need A Volunteer Agreement. (2026 Updated)

Are Volunteers Part Of Your Business? You Need A Volunteer Agreement. (2026 Updated)

If you're building a UK business, it's common to get help from "volunteers" - especially when you're running events, launching a community project, growing a not-for-profit arm, or simply getting extra hands...

31 January 2026
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Why It's A Good Idea To Have A Work Experience Agreement (2026 Updated)

Why It's A Good Idea To Have A Work Experience Agreement (2026 Updated)

Work experience placements can be a win-win: you get extra hands, fresh ideas and a chance to build your talent pipeline, while the student (or career-changer) gets real-world exposure and confidence. But...

31 January 2026
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What Is A Producer Agreement And Why Is It Important? (2026 Updated)

What Is A Producer Agreement And Why Is It Important? (2026 Updated)

If you're producing a film, series, podcast, advert, branded content campaign, or even a short-form online project, you'll probably hear the phrase "producer agreement" early on - and for good reason. A...

31 January 2026
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What You Need To Know About Hire Agreements (2026 Updated)

What You Need To Know About Hire Agreements (2026 Updated)

If you hire out equipment, vehicles, tools, or even specialist machinery, a "quick handshake deal" can feel like the fastest way to get the job done. But when something gets damaged, returned...

31 January 2026
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What Is An Endorsement Agreement? (2026 Updated)

What Is An Endorsement Agreement? (2026 Updated)

If you're partnering with a celebrity, athlete, creator or industry expert to promote your brand, it's easy to focus on the exciting part (the launch, the content, the buzz) and forget the...

31 January 2026
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Phantom Share Option Plans - 6 Things You Need To Know (2026 Updated)

Phantom Share Option Plans - 6 Things You Need To Know (2026 Updated)

If you're trying to attract (and keep) great people in 2026, you've probably heard the same advice a hundred times: "Offer equity." But what if you're not ready to give away real...

31 January 2026
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What Are Franchising Royalties? (2026 Updated)

What Are Franchising Royalties? (2026 Updated)

Franchising can be a great way to grow a business without personally funding (and managing) every new location. But if you're looking at franchising your business - or buying into a franchise...

31 January 2026
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What Is A Consignment Agreement? (2026 Updated)

What Is A Consignment Agreement? (2026 Updated)

Consignment can be a great way to grow a product-based business without taking on as much upfront risk. If you're a supplier, it can get your products into new shops, studios or...

31 January 2026
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What Is A Distributor? Distribution Agreements, Rights And Risks In The UK

What Is A Distributor? Distribution Agreements, Rights And Risks In The UK

If you’re building a product-based business (or scaling one), you’ll eventually hit the same question: how do we actually get our products into more hands, in more places, without personally selling every...

31 January 2026
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Implied Terms In Contracts: What They Mean And Why They Matter

Implied Terms In Contracts: What They Mean And Why They Matter

If you run a small business, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about what you put in your contracts - pricing, delivery, scope, timelines, payment terms, and what happens if...

31 January 2026
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Limited Liability Companies: Meaning, Benefits And Key Legal Considerations

Limited Liability Companies: Meaning, Benefits And Key Legal Considerations

If you’re starting (or scaling) a business in the UK, you’ve probably come across the term limited liability company - especially if you’ve been researching online. Here’s the thing: in the UK,...

31 January 2026
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Contract Risk Management: Reducing Legal Exposure In Commercial Contracts

Contract Risk Management: Reducing Legal Exposure In Commercial Contracts

If you run a small business, contracts aren’t just paperwork - they’re one of the main ways you protect your cashflow, your reputation, and your time. But here’s the tricky part: most...

31 January 2026
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Business Acquisition Meaning And Key Legal Steps In The UK For SMEs

Business Acquisition Meaning And Key Legal Steps In The UK For SMEs

If you’re growing a UK small business, you’ll eventually hear people throw around terms like “acquisition”, “buyout”, “merger”, or “purchase of a business” - often as if they’re all the same thing....

31 January 2026
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EIS Shares Explained: What Startups Need To Know Before Issuing Equity

EIS Shares Explained: What Startups Need To Know Before Issuing Equity

If you’re raising investment for your startup or SME, you’ve probably heard investors ask one question early: “Will my investment qualify for EIS?” EIS (the Enterprise Investment Scheme) can be a big...

31 January 2026
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Annex vs Appendix: Key Differences And When To Use Each In Contracts

Annex vs Appendix: Key Differences And When To Use Each In Contracts

If you’ve ever been sent a contract with “Annex 1”, “Annex A”, “Appendix 2” or “Schedule 3” attached, you’re not alone in wondering what the difference is - and whether it actually...

30 January 2026
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Master Services Agreement (MSA) In The UK: When You Need One And Key Clauses

Master Services Agreement (MSA) In The UK: When You Need One And Key Clauses

If you’re running a growing business, it’s normal to reach a point where your “one-off” contracts start to feel clunky. Maybe you’re doing recurring work for the same client, onboarding new projects...

30 January 2026
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Buying A Franchise In The UK: Legal Checklist For Business Owners

Buying A Franchise In The UK: Legal Checklist For Business Owners

Buying a franchise can feel like the “best of both worlds” for a small business owner: you get an established brand, proven systems and (often) training and support, while still running your...

30 January 2026
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Starting A Healthcare Business In The UK: Legal Requirements, Contracts And Compliance

Starting A Healthcare Business In The UK: Legal Requirements, Contracts And Compliance

Starting a healthcare business can be an exciting way to make a real impact in your community - whether you’re opening a private clinic, launching a digital health platform, or providing in-home...

30 January 2026
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How Data Protection Law Firms Help SMEs Stay GDPR Compliant

How Data Protection Law Firms Help SMEs Stay GDPR Compliant

If you run a small business, you’re probably collecting more personal data than you realise. Customer emails, staff records, CCTV footage, delivery addresses, website analytics, enquiry forms, WhatsApp messages, even “just a...

30 January 2026
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M&A Solicitors: What They Do, When You Need One, And Costs

M&A Solicitors: What They Do, When You Need One, And Costs

If you’re running a UK startup or SME, “M&A” can feel like a world that only applies to huge corporations. But in practice, business sales and acquisitions happen at every size. You...

30 January 2026
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Are Verbal Contracts Legally Binding For Businesses In The UK?

Are Verbal Contracts Legally Binding For Businesses In The UK?

You’ve probably been there: you’re on a call with a supplier, a freelancer, or a customer, and you agree the price, the deadline, and what’s included. Everyone’s happy, you shake on it...

30 January 2026
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Flexible Working Hours In The UK: Employer Legal Guide

Flexible Working Hours In The UK: Employer Legal Guide

Flexible working hours can be a genuine win-win for small businesses. Done well, flexible working arrangements help you retain great people, reduce absenteeism, support productivity, and make hiring easier (especially if you’re...

30 January 2026
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