Every business relationship depends on clear terms. When payment, ownership or liability is unclear, disputes follow — and they cost far more than getting the contract right.
Our business solicitor and contract services in the UK give start-ups and established businesses solicitor-prepared documents at fixed fees. From NDAs to shareholder agreements, each document is tailored to UK law.
Moreover, clear contracts do more than prevent disputes. They also make your business more valuable and easier to sell or invest in.
Contracts for clients and suppliers
A Service Agreement sets out scope, payment, liability caps and termination. Similarly, Terms and Conditions govern your sales to consumers or businesses.
For consumer sales, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations add mandatory rights — for example, a cancellation period for most online sales. Terms that ignore them may be unenforceable.
Consequently, well-drafted terms protect your cash flow and your reputation.
Freelancers, consultants and IR35
Working with independent contractors brings flexibility. However, it also brings risk. The off-payroll working rules, known as IR35, can apply where a contractor works like an employee.
A Consultancy Agreement and a Contractor Agreement set out an arms-length relationship. Additionally, a Freelance Agreement clarifies deliverables and payment.
Importantly, without a written assignment, a freelancer may own the copyright in work you paid for. An IP Assignment or Copyright Assignment fixes that.
Protecting data and your website
If you handle personal data, UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 apply. A Privacy Policy explains what data you collect, why and for how long.
Moreover, Website Terms of Use govern how people use your site and content. Before sharing sensitive information, an NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement protects your ideas and trade secrets.
As a result, you meet your legal obligations and build trust with customers.
Owners, partners and investors
Disagreements between owners can destroy a business. A Shareholders Agreement covers decision-making, share transfers, leavers and deadlock. Similarly, a Partnership Agreement sets profit shares, capital and exit terms.
When the time comes to sell, a Business Sale Agreement covers the structure, warranties and completion. Consequently, owners protect the value they have built.
Brands and trade marks
Your brand deserves protection. A UK Trade Mark Application registers your name or logo with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Registration gives you a clear legal right to stop others using a confusingly similar mark. Moreover, it adds value to your business. For disputes with competitors or customers, see our debt recovery guide. As a result, your business is protected from every angle.
Getting paid and enforcing your contracts
Good contracts only help if you use them. When a customer stops paying, the contract tells you what you can charge, when and how.
For example, many business contracts allow interest on late payments. If yours does not, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 often gives you statutory interest and fixed compensation anyway. Consequently, a late invoice can grow in your favour.
The first step is usually a firm written demand. A Payment Demand Letter or a Letter Before Action sets out the amount and a deadline. If that fails, a Small Claims Document Pack helps you recover debts up to the small claims limit.
Contract disputes can run the other way too. If a supplier fails to deliver, a Breach of Contract Letter records the breach and the remedy you want. As a result, you protect your position while there is still time to negotiate.
For more, read our debt recovery guide.
Contract basics every owner should know
A contract does not always need to be written. However, written terms are far easier to prove.
Every contract should say who the parties are, what each will do, the price and when it is paid. Moreover, it should cover how either side can end the agreement and what happens if something goes wrong.
Limitation of liability clauses deserve special care. In business-to-business contracts they are often enforceable if reasonable. By contrast, consumer contracts cannot exclude certain liabilities at all.
Therefore, use written terms for every important relationship. They cost little compared with a dispute.
Your business legal checklist
Every business needs a few key documents. Start with clear terms for customers. Add a privacy policy if you collect data.
Next, protect your ideas. Use an NDA before sharing secrets. Get IP assignments from freelancers.
Then, agree the rules with co-owners. A shareholders or partnership agreement prevents disputes.
Finally, register your brand. A trade mark stops copycats. Consequently, your business grows on solid ground.
Review your documents every year. Laws change. Your business changes too. For example, new products may need new terms. Similarly, new staff need contracts. A yearly check keeps you protected. It also makes your business easier to sell.
Need help now? Pick a service below. Upload your details. A solicitor prepares your document. Most are ready within days. Prices are fixed. There are no hourly bills. You can message your solicitor at any time.
Our Business & Contracts services in the UK
Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified solicitor and is delivered online — wherever you are in the UK. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your solicitor and track progress from your secure client dashboard.
NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in the UK
Mutual or one-way confidentiality agreement to protect your ideas, data and trade secrets.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement — from £19 See what's included →
Consultancy Agreement in the UK
Engage or work as a consultant with clear scope, fees, IP and IR35-aware terms.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Consultancy Agreement — from £59 See what's included →
Service Agreement in the UK
Terms for supplying services — scope, payment, liability caps and termination.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Terms and Conditions in the UK
Business-to-consumer or business-to-business terms of sale, compliant with consumer law.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Privacy Policy in the UK
UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 compliant privacy notice for your website or app.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Website Terms of Use in the UK
Terms governing use of your website, content and user accounts.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Shareholders Agreement in the UK
Protect shareholders with rules on decision-making, share transfers, leavers and deadlock.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 7 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Shareholders Agreement — from £79 See what's included →
Business & Contracts services near you — every region we cover
Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.
Business & Contracts help in London
We prepare business & contracts documents for London law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Westminster (near the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand), City of London (near the Central London County Court at the Thomas More Building). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Westminster, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in City of London, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Camden. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in London.
Business & Contracts help in North West
We prepare business & contracts documents for North West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Manchester (near the Manchester Civil Justice Centre), Liverpool (near the Liverpool Civil and Family Court). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Manchester, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Liverpool. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in North West.
Business & Contracts help in West Midlands
We prepare business & contracts documents for West Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Birmingham (near the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Birmingham, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Coventry. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in West Midlands.
Business & Contracts help in Yorkshire and the Humber
We prepare business & contracts documents for Yorkshire and the Humber law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Leeds (near the Leeds Combined Court Centre). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Leeds, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Sheffield. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Business & Contracts help in South West
We prepare business & contracts documents for South West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Bristol (near the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Bristol. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in South West.
Business & Contracts help in North East
We prepare business & contracts documents for North East law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newcastle upon Tyne (near the Newcastle Combined Court Centre). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Newcastle upon Tyne. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in North East.
Business & Contracts help in East Midlands
We prepare business & contracts documents for East Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Nottingham (near the Nottingham County Court). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Nottingham, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Leicester. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in East Midlands.
Business & Contracts help in Wales
We prepare business & contracts documents for Wales law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Cardiff (near the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Cardiff, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Swansea. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in Wales.
Business & Contracts help in Scotland
We prepare business & contracts documents for Scotland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Glasgow (near the Glasgow Sheriff Court on Carlton Place), Edinburgh (near the Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Chambers Street). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Glasgow, NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Edinburgh. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in Scotland.
Business & Contracts help in Northern Ireland
We prepare business & contracts documents for Northern Ireland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Belfast (near the Laganside Courts). For example, see NDA / Non-Disclosure Agreement in Belfast. Similarly, see Consultancy Agreement in Northern Ireland.
We also help clients in South East, East of England. See every location we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need written terms and conditions?
You are not always legally required to have them, but written terms protect your payment, limit liability and help you comply with consumer law.
What is IR35?
IR35, or the off-payroll working rules, decides whether a contractor should be taxed like an employee. The contract and the actual working practices both matter.
Do I need a privacy policy?
If you collect personal data, UK GDPR requires you to tell people how you use it. A privacy policy is the usual way to do so.
Who owns work created by a freelancer?
Generally the freelancer owns the copyright unless it is assigned in writing. An IP or copyright assignment transfers ownership to your business.
Why do shareholders need an agreement?
It sets rules on decisions, share transfers, leavers and deadlock that the articles alone may not cover, reducing the risk of damaging disputes.
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Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified solicitor before you act.