Contracts Articles

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

Rent Review Notice: What UK Commercial Tenants and Landlords Should Know

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...

10 March 2026
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Disadvantages Of Being A Sole Trader In The UK: Legal And Business Risks

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...

10 March 2026
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Managing Staff Effectively: UK Employment Law Essentials

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....

10 March 2026
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Probation Period Letter Template for UK Employers (3-Month)

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...

10 March 2026
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Disclaimer Notice: What UK Businesses Should Include And When To Use It

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...

10 March 2026
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UK GDPR Data Controller Role: Responsibilities For Businesses

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...

9 March 2026
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Lease vs Licence: Key Differences and Which Suits Your Business

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 ....

9 March 2026
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Debt vs Equity Financing: Which Is Best for Your Business?

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...

9 March 2026
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Battle Of Forms: How To Ensure Your Terms Prevail In UK Contracts

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...

9 March 2026
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What Are Service Level Agreements (SLAs)? UK Guide

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...

9 March 2026
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Software Copyright: Protecting Your Code And IP In The UK

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...

9 March 2026
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Exchange Policy in the UK: What to Include, Where to Display It, Compliance

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...

9 March 2026
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What Is a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) Under UK GDPR?

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...

9 March 2026
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What Happens When a Commercial Lease Expires? Options for UK Tenants

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...

9 March 2026
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Heads Of Terms Example (UK): Key Clauses, What To Include And Pitfalls

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...

9 March 2026
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What Is an Electronic Signature in the UK?

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...

9 March 2026
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What Are Redeemable Shares? A Guide For UK Startups And SMEs

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...

9 March 2026
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Commercial Lease Covenants: Key Clauses UK Businesses Must Understand

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...

8 March 2026
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Franchise Management: Legal Essentials For Franchisors And Franchisees In The UK

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...

8 March 2026
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UK Contractor Agreement: What To Include In a Contractor Contract

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...

8 March 2026
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How To Draft An Employment Contract In The UK: Key Clauses & Mistakes

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...

8 March 2026
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What Is A Trade Secret? Definition, Examples And UK Protection Laws

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...

8 March 2026
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Copyright Infringement: Meaning, Examples, and How to Avoid It

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...

8 March 2026
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Restaurant For Lease: Legal Checklist Before Signing A Commercial Lease

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...

8 March 2026
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