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

Open Market Rent in UK Commercial Leases
If you lease business premises, chances are your lease mentions “open market rent”. It’s a common way landlords set or review rent - but the detail in your clause can make a...

Company Due Diligence In The UK: What To Check Before You Sign
Working with a new supplier, taking on an investor, buying a company or even signing a big customer? That’s the perfect time to slow down and run company due diligence. Good due...

Distribution Companies in the UK: Set Up and Scale Compliantly
If you’re looking to launch or grow a distribution company in the UK, you’re in the right place. Distribution can be a fantastic business model – you sit between manufacturers and retailers...

Surcharge Fees In The UK: What Businesses Can (And Can’t) Charge
If you accept card payments or sell online, you’ve probably wondered whether you can add a surcharge fee to cover processing costs. With margins tighter than ever, it’s a fair question. The...

What Does Novation Mean?
If your business needs to “hand over” a contract to a new party - for example, after a restructure, a sale, or a supplier change - novation is likely the legal tool...

How Much Does A Commercial Lease Cost In The UK?
Thinking about taking on a shop, office, studio or warehouse? Getting the numbers right before you sign is essential. Commercial leases come with more than just “rent” - there are upfront costs,...

What Does 'Founder' Mean?
“Founder” is one of the most used titles in business – but what does founder actually mean in the UK, and how does it differ from director or shareholder? If you’re setting...

Overtime Discrimination In The UK: What Employers Need To Know
Overtime can be a helpful lever for small businesses – whether you’re meeting a spike in orders or covering a busy season. But if overtime is offered, allocated, or paid in ways...

Misrepresentation Law in the UK: Avoid Bad Deals, Protect Contracts
If you’re negotiating a new supply agreement, signing a franchise deal, or onboarding a key customer, the last thing you want is to discover the other side “sold you a story”. That’s...

Implied Terms in Employment Contracts in the UK
Even with a well-drafted Employment Contract, not everything is written down. UK law “implies” certain duties into employment relationships whether or not they’re explicitly stated. These implied terms of employment can be...

Gross Rent Meaning For UK Leases
If you’re weighing up premises for your business, you’ll quickly run into different ways landlords price rent. One of the most common is “gross rent”. But what is gross rent, how is...

Managing Staff in the UK: What Employers Need To Know
Hiring your first team member is a big milestone - but it also means new responsibilities under UK employment law. Managing staff isn’t just about rotas and morale. It’s about getting your...

Consequential Loss Insurance in the UK
If your business had to close for a week due to a burst pipe, a supplier outage or a cyber incident, would you survive without income? That gap between an “accident” and...

Letter of Demand in the UK: What to Include and How to Use It
Chasing unpaid invoices is one of the least enjoyable parts of running a business. But at some point, most SMEs will need to nudge a slow payer firmly and clearly. A well‑drafted...

Variation Of Contract In The UK: What You Need To Know
Business moves fast - prices change, scopes expand, and long-term relationships evolve. When the deal on paper no longer matches what you and the other party actually need, a variation of contract...

How To Set Up a Crowdfunding Page for Your Business in the UK
Crowdfunding can be a smart way to validate demand, build a community and raise funds without giving up control too early. Whether you’re pre-selling a product, funding a creative project or raising...

Commercial Rent Arrears In The UK: Legal Options For Businesses
If your business is behind on commercial rent, you’re not alone - and you have options. Cash flow can be unpredictable, especially in retail, hospitality and services. The key is to act...

Contract Vs Agreement: What’s The Difference?
If you run a small business in the UK, you’ve probably heard people use “contract” and “agreement” like they mean the same thing. In everyday conversation, that’s fine. Legally, though, there’s an...

Website Copyright In The UK: What It Covers And How To Protect It
Your website is often the first place customers meet your brand. It’s your shopfront, your brochure and your content hub all in one. That means the copyright in your site - the...

Database Rights In The UK: What Businesses Need To Know
If your business relies on data - customer lists, product catalogues, property listings, price histories, research datasets, or a unique directory - you likely have a valuable asset sitting in your systems:...

What Is A Standstill Agreement And How Does It Work?
If you’re in the middle of a commercial dispute, chasing an unpaid invoice, negotiating a refinancing, or exploring a potential deal, a “standstill agreement” can buy you valuable time to sort things...

Trade Secrets in the UK: Protecting Confidential Know-How
Every business has something unique that gives it an edge - a recipe, a pricing model, a supplier list, a manufacturing method, or even a bespoke algorithm. In UK law, these are...

Indirect Losses in UK Contracts: What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever scanned a contract and spotted a clause excluding “indirect or consequential losses”, you’re not alone. These words appear in countless business agreements – and yet, many small business owners...

How To Start a Franchise in the UK: Legal Requirements
Considering turning your successful business into a franchise? It’s an exciting way to scale without opening every new location yourself. Done right, franchising can help you grow your brand quickly, attract investment...
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