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

Rent Review Notice: What UK Commercial Tenants and Landlords Should Know
If you run a small business from leased premises, your rent is usually one of your biggest overheads. So when a rent review notice arrives (or when you realise you should have...

Disadvantages Of Being A Sole Trader In The UK: Legal And Business Risks
Starting a business as a sole trader can feel like the simplest option in the UK. There’s less admin, fewer formalities, and you can get going quickly. But once you’re trading (especially...

Managing Staff Effectively: UK Employment Law Essentials
When you’re running a small business, managing staff can feel like a balancing act. You want a positive culture, you need the work done, and you’re also juggling cashflow, customers, and growth....

Probation Period Letter Template for UK Employers (3-Month)
Hiring someone new is exciting - but it can also feel like a gamble, especially when you’re a small business and every hire really matters. A well-run probation period helps you reduce...

Disclaimer Notice: What UK Businesses Should Include And When To Use It
If you run a small business, there’s a good chance you’ve seen (or copied and pasted) a disclaimer before - on websites, invoices, email signatures, social media bios, booking confirmations, or even...

UK GDPR Data Controller Role: Responsibilities For Businesses
If your business collects, uses, stores, shares, analyses or deletes personal data (for example, customer details, employee records, website analytics, or CCTV footage), you’ll almost certainly need to understand the role of...

Lease vs Licence: Key Differences and Which Suits Your Business
If you’re moving into a new space (or letting someone use space you control), one of the first legal questions you’ll hit is whether you need a lease or a licence ....

Debt vs Equity Financing: Which Is Best for Your Business?
When you’re growing a small business, it’s normal to reach a point where your cash flow can’t (and shouldn’t) carry everything on its own. Maybe you want to hire your first team...

Battle Of Forms: How To Ensure Your Terms Prevail In UK Contracts
If you run a small business, you’ve probably had this happen: you send your quote or order confirmation with your standard terms attached, your customer replies with their purchase order and their...

What Are Service Level Agreements (SLAs)? UK Guide
If you’re delivering services to customers (or relying on a supplier to deliver services to you), you’ve probably had that moment where something goes wrong and you realise you never actually agreed...

Software Copyright: Protecting Your Code And IP In The UK
If your business builds (or even just tweaks) software, your code can quickly become one of your most valuable assets. But here’s the catch: “valuable” doesn’t automatically mean “protected”. Without the right...

Exchange Policy in the UK: What to Include, Where to Display It, Compliance
If you sell products to customers (online, in-store, or both), you’ve probably been asked: “Can I exchange this?” An exchange policy sounds simple - but the moment you start putting rules around...

What Is a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) Under UK GDPR?
If you run a small business, chances are you rely on other companies to help you operate day-to-day - cloud storage, email marketing, payroll, customer support platforms, booking systems, analytics tools, and...

What Happens When a Commercial Lease Expires? Options for UK Tenants
If you run your business from rented premises, the end of your commercial lease can feel like a cliff-edge moment. One day you’re trading as normal, and the next you’re asking what...

Heads Of Terms Example (UK): Key Clauses, What To Include And Pitfalls
If you’re negotiating a big commercial deal, it’s tempting to jump straight into “the contract”. But in practice, most well-run businesses start with a short document that sets the direction for the...

What Is an Electronic Signature in the UK?
If you run a small business, speed matters. You want to close deals, onboard clients, and keep projects moving without waiting days for printing, scanning, posting, and chasing signatures. That’s where electronic...

What Are Redeemable Shares? A Guide For UK Startups And SMEs
If you’re raising money, bringing in a co-founder, or planning for an eventual exit, you’ll probably come across different “types” (or classes ) of shares. One share class that often comes up...

Commercial Lease Covenants: Key Clauses UK Businesses Must Understand
Signing a commercial lease can feel like a huge milestone for your business. Whether you’re taking on your first shopfront, a small warehouse, or a studio space, getting the premises right can...

Franchise Management: Legal Essentials For Franchisors And Franchisees In The UK
Franchising can be a brilliant way to grow a proven business model (or to buy into one). But once you’ve signed the paperwork and opened the doors, the real work begins: managing...
UK Contractor Agreement: What To Include In a Contractor Contract
Hiring contractors can be a smart way to scale your business without the long-term commitment of taking someone on as an employee. But here’s the catch: if you don’t have a solid...

How To Draft An Employment Contract In The UK: Key Clauses & Mistakes
Hiring your first employee (or your tenth) is a big step. It’s exciting - but it also comes with legal responsibilities that can catch small businesses out if you’re relying on “we’ll...

What Is A Trade Secret? Definition, Examples And UK Protection Laws
If you run a small business, chances are you already rely on trade secrets more than you realise. It might be the recipe that makes your product taste different, the way you...

Copyright Infringement: Meaning, Examples, and How to Avoid It
If you run a small business, you’re probably creating content every week - website copy, product photos, social posts, proposals, training materials, maybe even videos or podcasts. That’s great for growth. But...

Restaurant For Lease: Legal Checklist Before Signing A Commercial Lease
Finding the right restaurant for lease can feel like you’re 90% of the way to opening your doors. The location looks perfect, the kitchen layout seems workable, and you can already picture...
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