Every supply or purchase or other deal your business makes is built on a contract, but a poorly written agreement can cost you time, money, and opportunity. Our expert team of commercial contracts lawyers help businesses secure clear, robust contracts that reflect your objectives, protect your interests, reduce risk, and enable you to focus on business operations.
What contracts are key for a business?
Key contracts will vary by business type and growth stage but for most businesses typically include agreements that define relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, and partners. These may include sales contracts, service agreements, employment contracts, collaboration and confidentiality agreements (NDAs), Additionally, business may need contracts to govern internal relationships, such as partnership or shareholder agreements. Depending on your industry, you may also need specific contracts like licensing agreements, distributor agreements, or data protection addendums.
Boyes Turner manages our extensive trade mark portfolio across multiple foreign jurisdictions. The specialist team is efficient, leverages strong relationships with international agents and provides practical, strategic advice in a cost-effective manner.”
Our business contract services
Contract review
We review contracts based on your business’ risk appetite and advise on potential consequences and alternative commercial measures and legal positions to manage or mitigate risks identified.
Contract drafting
We prepare business contracts that are precise, practical, and aligned to your business’ objectives and sensitivities. Our commercial contract solicitors ensure every clause is clear and enforceable, helping to reduce risk of disputes.
Contract negotiating
We advocate for your business and work to secure terms that support your objectives and protect your interests, while supporting you and the third party to create strong, lasting relationships.
Breach of contract & dispute resolution
If the agreement is not performed as planned, we assist in protecting and enforcing your contractual rights. Our teams work to resolve disputes swiftly and cost-effectively. We prioritise commercial and/or out-of-court solutions wherever possible, but we are fully prepared to represent you in formal legal proceedings if needed.
Ongoing contract governance
As your business evolves, so should your contracts. We can review and update existing terms of business and commercial agreements to reflect changes in the law, your operations, and your goals, to ensure your contracts are effective at every stage of growth.
Termination and renewal
If your contract is due to expire, or you wish to end a business relationship, we can advise on your rights to renew or terminate. We assist with preparing notices, negotiation of extension or replacement contracts, and processes for transition.
Our commercial agreements
Successful business relationships are underpinned by well-structured agreement. We support businesses of every size, industry, and stage of growth, helping them put the right contracts in place, including:
Collaboration agreements and R&D
Sharing resources and know-how with another party can be a powerful way to develop your products and services and grow your business. In these relationships, protecting your IP and materials shared and clearly defining both parties’ rights of ownership and use of the collaboration outputs is essential to avoid dispute.
Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
From new ideas and trade secrets to sensitive financial data, we ensure, we make sure your information stays secure and legally protected.
Consumer trading terms
If your business sells to consumers, you need written contractual terms that comply with consumer legislation and are readily understood by consumers.
Distribution and reseller agreements
In supply chain relationships, clearly defining the scope of each party’s rights and responsibilities and any performance standards will protect your interests in relationships with or as a supplier and distributor.
Franchise agreements and business licensing
We help structure agreements that balance brand and market expansion with effective long-term relationships and commercialisation of the franchise assets and IP.
Joint venture agreements
When joining with another party for a specific, mutually beneficial business project, we can support with establishing a suitable corporate vehicle and defining the terms of the joint arrangement at board and shareholder level, including each party’s duties, liabilities, and profit/loss sharing.
Partnership & shareholder agreements
Our lawyers have extensive experience of advising businesses of all sizes, drafting clear, practical, and tailored agreements that reflect commercial objectives whilst minimising risk.
Service agreements
Ensuring services, deliverables, responsibilities, dependencies, service levels and payment terms are clearly defined and agreed with your clients or contractors supports smooth service delivery.
Sponsorship and marketing
Partnering with other companies or media outlets can significantly extending your business’ visibility and reach. These need to be aligned to and protect your brand and reputation.
Sub-contracting agreements
When your business is operating as part of a wider supply chain, we ensure that the parties’ responsibilities and risks are appropriately backed-off to ensure your business isn’t unduly exposed for the actions of other delivery parties.
Supply agreements
Clearly defining expectations in relation to the nature and characteristics of goods being supplied, as well as the manner of delivery, to reflect your business needs and operations is key to effective supply chain arrangements.
Technology, IP and data agreements
From software licensing, commercialising intellectual property or data to ensuring compliance with data protection obligations and information security needs, we design contracts that secure your innovations and enterprise.
Workforce agreements
Robust agreements and policies set out the roles, responsibilities and expectations for your employees, consultants, and contractors. Tailored to your specific business needs, these are key to successfully managing your workforce and getting the best from your teams.
Commercial Contract & agreement FAQs
How often should commercial agreements be updated?
Commercial agreements should be reviewed and updated regularly, usually this is every 12 to 24 months, or sooner if there are significant changes in your business, such as ownership structure, or the regulatory environment.
Our solicitors take a proactive approach, keeping a close eye on legal and regulatory developments that may affect your contracts and notify clients when updates are required.
How long does it take to draft or review a commercial contract?
The time required depends on the complexity of the agreement, the number of parties involved, and whether it includes international or multi-jurisdictional considerations.
Simple agreements can often be drafted or reviewed within 1–2 weeks, while more complex contracts may take several weeks or longer. Our solicitors will work with you to ensure we meet your timelines, whilst ensuring compliance.
What are the key clauses in business contracts?
Commercial agreements can vary widely depending on the type of deal, the parties involved, and the jurisdiction, but most contain a set of core clauses such as:
- Scope of work or services
- Payment terms
- Duration of contract and termination details
- Confidentiality clauses
- Intellectual property rights
- Liability & indemnities if things go wrong
- Dispute resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or court.
- Force majeure for unseen events
- Governing law & jurisdiction
While these are common clauses, every agreement is unique and drafting the terms wrong or missing a critical clause can leave your business exposed to disputes, financial loss, or legal complications.
What are the tax or regulatory implications I need to consider in commercial contracts?
Commercial agreements can have significant tax and regulatory consequences depending on the nature of the transaction, the parties involved, and the jurisdictions of where the business operates. Examples include VAT, corporate tax, import/export duties, and compliance with employment, data protection, or industry-specific regulations.
Failing to consider these regulatory factors can result in unexpected costs, penalties, or even not being table to enforce certain clauses.
Our commercial solicitors work closely with you to identify and address potential tax and regulatory issues and ensure your contracts are compliant, commercially viable, and structured in a way that minimises those risks.
What strategies can we use to ensure contract terms are fair to both parties?
Fairness in a commercial agreement is essential for protecting your business and maintaining long-lasting, strong relationships.
Our solicitors achieve this by drafting in clear, precise language that avoids ambiguity, allocates responsibilities and liabilities in a balanced way, and includes mutual obligations, so neither party bears an unfair burden. We encourage open negotiations and collaboration to help align expectations and resolve potential conflicts before signing, while implementing flexible dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation or arbitration, to provide a fair process if disagreements arise.
How do we enforce terms if a party fails to meet their obligations?
If a party fails to meet their obligations, the first step is to review the agreement to confirm the breach and determine whether it allows the breaching party a set period of time to fix the problem after receiving notice. If the issue is not resolved within that timeframe, enforcement options may include negotiating a resolution, using mediation or arbitration if required by the contract, terminating the agreement for a serious breach, or seeking legal remedies such as damages or specific performance through litigation.
The appropriate response depends on the seriousness of the breach, the contract terms, and the desired business outcome, which our commercial solicitors will be able to advise you on.
How can business contracts help manage relationships with suppliers, distributors, or partners?
Well-formed contracts help to manage relationships with suppliers, distributors, and partners by accurately defining each party’s rights, responsibilities, and expectations. The contract sets out key terms such as pricing, delivery schedules, quality standards, payment terms, and dispute resolution processes. Contracts also establish mechanisms for handling changes, delays, or breaches, providing a structured way to address issues, helping to minimise damaging the business relationship. By creating clarity and accountability, contracts encourage collaboration and build trust between parties.
Who we help
Our Commercial team works with businesses spanning enterprising start-ups,non-UK companies setting up operations in the UK, and large, global and listed companies.
Ambitious start-ups
Getting the foundations right from day one, from incorporation and shareholder agreements to protecting your IP.
Owner-managed businesses
Practical, commercially focused advice that understands the pressures of running your own company.
SMEs and scale-ups
Supporting the legal demands of growth: new contracts, new people, new markets.
UK and international corporates
Sophisticated, multi-disciplinary advice across sectors from tech and manufacturing to hospitality and aerospace.
Related Services
Brand protection
A company’s brand is often the most valuable asset. Creating, establishing and building a brand can be expensive and requires proper care and protection at every step of the way.
Data protection
Data protection and security has become high profile in recent years and is a key governance issue for businesses. Let us help you maximise the value in your data while maintaining legal compliance.
Growing a business
We help ambitious businesses to grow and flourish. Having an experienced deal team whom you trust is vital in aiding you to make the key decisions when under pressure.
In-house legal support
Our in-house legal support services are designed for businesses that want regular access to proactive, commercially relevant legal advice delivered in a cost effective and efficient way.
Regulatory & compliance
Our experienced lawyers have supported businesses across a range of sectors to implement governance processes.
Resolving disputes
Disputes are often a reality of business life but they can be disruptive, damaging and distracting. No industry sectors or businesses are immune and issues can arise relating to almost any aspect of business operations.
Technology, media & telecoms
The technology, media and telecoms (TMT) sector is defined by constant change and innovation and is home to a range of innovators from market disruptors to established global corporates.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like advice on a related matter, please complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.
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