How To Write a Contract
If You Don't Know How To Do it,
Leave it To The Legal Eagles
A Business Writing Course Will Give You The Confidence You Need.
Need to know how to write a contract? Be very careful if you choose to write it yourself, it’s a vastly different animal to a normal
business letter.
If you’re not experienced and/or have little or no knowledge of legal or industrial relations matters, you can end up in boiling water. In most instances, it is advisable to get a “legal eagle” to write contracts to make sure that you are legally protected and that you have a “legal out” if you choose to the end the contract.
Here’s Some Tips If You Do Choose To Write Your Own Contracts:
- Make sure the contract clearly reflects its intentions
- Don’t commit to anything that you cannot deliver
- Ensure that there is a “out” clause that ensures you or the other party can cancel the contract,
if need be - Insert terms that are beneficial to you (i.e. written communication, pre-notification of changes, late fees, early termination fees, etc.)
- Make sure that there are no conditions that disadvantage you
- Ensure the party that signs the contract has the authority to do so
If you simply cannot afford to hire an attorney, it's a good idea to see
if you can obtain a sample of a similar contract that was prepared by an attorney.
Such a sample will give you ideas about how to compile and arrange your contract.
Learning How To Write a Contract May Require Legal Knowledge…
Legal knowledge will help to keep you out of trouble; however, a written agreement in layman’s terms is still considered a contract and is as legally binding as one written by an attorney. Even a verbal agreement can be considered a contract, but it is hard to prove. If you write your own contract it may possibly not include the legal jargon that could be advantageous in a court of law, but it may suffice your needs.
How to Decide… Should I Learn How To Write Contracts or Should I Consult an Attorney?
This is really dependent on how much is at stake.What liability will you and the other party be subject to if the contract is not carried out? - Can you be held legally responsible if you don’t meet the terms of the contract?
- Are there likely to be false accusations that could land you in court?
- How much money is at stake for you if the agreeing party doesn’t comply with the contract?
- Is it possible that you could held responsible for things outside of the contract like loss of data, accidental death, etc.?
- Are you insured for personal liability?
It all depends on your comfort level!
If you have better than average
letter wrtitng
skills but you’re still not totally convinced that you now how to write a contract that will stand up in court, you possibly should consider the services of an attorney to do it for you. The protection & peace of mind may prove to be worth the expense.
Modern Net-Wit:
"Don't worry. I'm not condescending. I'm far too busy thinking about important things you wouldn't understand" ...................................................................................Jimmy Carr
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