Contracts Articles

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

What Is a Business Trust? UK Legal Basics

What Is a Business Trust? UK Legal Basics

If you’re building a business in the UK, you’ve probably been told (more than once) to “choose the right structure” early on. Usually that means picking between a limited company, a partnership,...

13 April 2026
Read more
Direct Losses in Contracts: Meaning and Liability Limits

Direct Losses in Contracts: Meaning and Liability Limits

If you’re running a small business, you already know that one awkward supplier dispute or one failed delivery can turn into a cashflow headache fast. That’s exactly why clauses dealing with direct...

13 April 2026
Read more
Do You Need A Company Seal In The UK?

Do You Need A Company Seal In The UK?

If you run a small business, you’ve probably seen a company document that ends with a neat little circular stamp impression and wondered if you’re missing something important. Company seals can look...

13 April 2026
Read more
Unfair Contract Terms In The UK: What They Mean And How To Avoid Them

Unfair Contract Terms In The UK: What They Mean And How To Avoid Them

If you run a small business, your contracts are meant to protect you. But if your terms go too far, the law may treat some of them as unfair - meaning they...

13 April 2026
Read more
Employer Not Responding To A Grievance? What UK Businesses Should Do Next

Employer Not Responding To A Grievance? What UK Businesses Should Do Next

When you’re running a small business, a grievance can feel like it lands on your desk at the worst possible time. You might be juggling customers, cashflow and a growing team -...

13 April 2026
Read more
Term Financing Explained: What Startups And SMEs Should Know Before A Term Loan

Term Financing Explained: What Startups And SMEs Should Know Before A Term Loan

When you’re running a startup or SME, cashflow can feel like the main character in your business story. Maybe you’re trying to buy stock in bulk, hire key staff, fit out a...

13 April 2026
Read more
Commercial Property Rent Increases: What To Know Before Renewing A Lease

Commercial Property Rent Increases: What To Know Before Renewing A Lease

If you’re coming up to a lease renewal, a commercial property rent increase is often the first (and biggest) thing on your mind. That makes sense. Rent is usually one of your...

13 April 2026
Read more
Can A Shareholder Sell Shares To Anyone? UK Rules On Share Transfers

Can A Shareholder Sell Shares To Anyone? UK Rules On Share Transfers

If you run a UK limited company, it’s normal to assume shares work a bit like property: if you own them, you can sell them to whoever you want. In practice, whether...

12 April 2026
Read more
Franchising In The UK: Key Pros And Cons

Franchising In The UK: Key Pros And Cons

If you’re looking for a way to grow a small business without starting entirely from scratch, franchising can be a tempting option. On paper, it looks simple: you buy into an established...

12 April 2026
Read more
How To Own A Franchise In The UK: Legal Steps, Contracts And Pitfalls

How To Own A Franchise In The UK: Legal Steps, Contracts And Pitfalls

Owning a franchise can feel like the best of both worlds: you get to run your own business, but you’re not starting from scratch. There’s usually an established brand, a proven operating...

12 April 2026
Read more
Workplace Confidentiality: What UK Employers Must Include In Contracts And Policies

Workplace Confidentiality: What UK Employers Must Include In Contracts And Policies

When you’re running a small business, information moves fast. A quote gets emailed, a customer list gets exported, a team member screenshots a Slack message, or someone takes a laptop home “just...

12 April 2026
Read more
Legal Risks of Buying a Papa John's Franchise in the UK

Legal Risks of Buying a Papa John's Franchise in the UK

Buying a Papa John’s franchise in the UK can feel like a shortcut to launching a recognisable food business - proven products, established systems, and brand-level marketing that you’d struggle to build...

12 April 2026
Read more
Website Contracts: What To Include And Why It Matters

Website Contracts: What To Include And Why It Matters

If your small business has a website, you’re almost certainly making agreements online every day - with customers, subscribers, users, suppliers, and sometimes advertisers or partners. That’s where website contracts come in....

12 April 2026
Read more
Director’s Interest-Free Loan To A Company: UK Legal Risks & Terms

Director’s Interest-Free Loan To A Company: UK Legal Risks & Terms

Cashflow gaps happen in almost every small business - especially when you’re scaling, hiring, buying stock, or waiting on customers to pay. One of the quickest ways directors plug that gap is...

12 April 2026
Read more
Business Demerger Explained: How Demerging Works for UK SMEs and Startups

Business Demerger Explained: How Demerging Works for UK SMEs and Startups

If your business has grown (or pivoted) faster than your original structure can handle, you’re not alone. A lot of UK SMEs and startups reach a point where one company is trying...

12 April 2026
Read more
Are Bank Holidays Mandatory In The UK? Employer Rules On Time Off And Pay

Are Bank Holidays Mandatory In The UK? Employer Rules On Time Off And Pay

If you run a small business, bank holidays can feel like a minefield. Customers still expect service, staff may assume they’re “off”, and payroll questions start coming in fast. So let’s clear...

11 April 2026
Read more
Long-Term Contracts: Key Clauses UK SMEs Should Include to Reduce Risk

Long-Term Contracts: Key Clauses UK SMEs Should Include to Reduce Risk

Long-term contracts can be a huge win for a small business. They can stabilise your cashflow, lock in key suppliers, and give you the confidence to hire staff or invest in equipment...

11 April 2026
Read more
Sole Trader Legal Responsibilities And Risks In The UK

Sole Trader Legal Responsibilities And Risks In The UK

Running a business as a sole trader can feel like the simplest way to get started in the UK. There’s less admin than a limited company, you keep control, and you can...

11 April 2026
Read more
Termination Clauses in UK Contracts: What Businesses Should Include and Avoid

Termination Clauses in UK Contracts: What Businesses Should Include and Avoid

If you run a small business, contracts are part of day-to-day life. You might be signing up customers, appointing suppliers, onboarding consultants, or locking in a long-term commercial lease. But here’s the...

11 April 2026
Read more
How To Value A Small Business In The UK

How To Value A Small Business In The UK

If you’re wondering how to value a small business in the UK, you’re not alone. Valuation comes up all the time for founders and SME owners - whether you’re selling the business,...

11 April 2026
Read more
Section 25 Notice: What It Means For Your Business Lease

Section 25 Notice: What It Means For Your Business Lease

If you run your business from leased premises, your lease renewal (or exit) can be one of the biggest “make or break” moments for your operations. One document that often kicks off...

11 April 2026
Read more
Free Confidentiality Agreement Template: UK Must-Haves and Common Mistakes

Free Confidentiality Agreement Template: UK Must-Haves and Common Mistakes

If you run a small business, you’re probably sharing sensitive information more often than you realise - with contractors, suppliers, agencies, potential investors, and even potential buyers. That’s why so many business...

11 April 2026
Read more
What Is a Sale of Assets? Key Terms for UK Asset Purchases

What Is a Sale of Assets? Key Terms for UK Asset Purchases

If you’re buying an existing business (or part of one), you’ll usually be offered one of two deal structures: a share sale or an asset sale. For many small business owners, an...

10 April 2026
Read more
Service Level Agreements (SLAs): What To Include, How They Work, Common Pitfalls

Service Level Agreements (SLAs): What To Include, How They Work, Common Pitfalls

If you provide services to customers (or rely on a supplier to deliver services to you), you’ve probably come across the idea of a “Service Level Agreement”. For a small business, an...

10 April 2026
Read more
Need support?

Need help with your business legals?

Speak with Sprintlaw to get practical legal support and fixed-fee options tailored to your business.