Get your contract reviewed by our expert lawyers, quick and stress-free.

A Contract Review involves a legal expert thoroughly examining the terms and conditions of a legal agreement before it is signed. The goal of the review is to ensure that everything stated in the contract is clear, accurate, and in your best interests. This includes verifying that the terms are fair, that they align with your business objectives, and that there are no hidden risks or unfavourable clauses.

During a contract review, a lawyer will assess aspects such as payment terms, responsibilities, liabilities, dispute resolution mechanisms, and any potential legal implications. Once the review is complete, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether your business is comfortable proceeding with the agreement as it stands or if further negotiation is needed.

Having a contract reviewed before signing can help prevent misunderstandings, avoid legal pitfalls, and protect your business in the long term.

It’s essential to have a lawyer review any legally binding contract, especially those that could significantly impact your business. Common types of contracts that should be reviewed by a lawyer include:

• Employment agreements: Ensuring that terms around pay, job responsibilities, and termination are clear and compliant with employment laws.
• Partnership agreements: Outlining the roles, responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements between business partners.
• Service agreements: Ensuring terms with clients or vendors are fair, including payment terms, deliverables, and dispute resolution clauses.
• Commercial leases: Reviewing the terms related to rent, maintenance, and obligations for your business’s occupancy.
• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs): Protecting your confidential information and intellectual property.
• Supplier or distribution agreements: Ensuring clarity on product delivery, pricing, and responsibilities of both parties.
• Licensing agreements: Reviewing terms for the use of intellectual property or products.

By having these types of contracts reviewed, you can avoid potential risks and ensure that the agreement protects your business’s interests.

When reviewing a contract, there are several red flags that should be carefully examined, including:

• Vague or unclear terms: If a contract contains ambiguous language, it can lead to misunderstandings and disputes about what each party’s obligations are.
• Unilateral clauses: Watch out for clauses that only benefit one party, such as giving one side the ability to make changes without mutual agreement.
• Excessive penalties for breaches: Some contracts include penalties or fines that are disproportionate to the breach. Ensure that any breach clauses are fair and reasonable.
• Automatic renewal clauses: Contracts that automatically renew without clear notice periods can lock you into long-term commitments without the opportunity to renegotiate terms.
• Non-compete clauses: These may restrict your ability to conduct future business, and the scope of the restriction (such as geographic limits or duration) should be carefully reviewed.
• Lack of dispute resolution processes: If there is no clear process for resolving disputes, this could result in lengthy and expensive legal battles down the line.

Identifying and addressing these red flags with the help of a lawyer can save your business from potential legal and financial pitfalls.

A contract is a legally binding document that outlines the key terms of an agreement, so ensuring it is drafted correctly is crucial. Having a lawyer review your contract is important because they can identify legal issues that may not be immediately apparent, and make sure the contract protects your business’s interests.

A lawyer can:

• Spot potential risks: They’ll highlight any clauses that may pose risks to your business or that could lead to future disputes.
• Ensure compliance: They’ll check that the contract complies with relevant laws and regulations.
• Evaluate fairness: A lawyer can assess whether the terms are fair and balanced, helping you maintain a strong negotiating position.
• Advise on suitability: They’ll review whether the terms of the contract align with your business goals and recommend changes to better suit your needs.

By having a legal professional review your contract, you can avoid potential pitfalls and ensure that your agreement is structured to protect your interests and support your business’s long-term success.

Signing a contract without a lawyer’s review can expose your business to significant risks, including:

• Hidden or unclear terms: A contract might include terms that are not immediately obvious or are worded in a way that’s confusing. Without a legal review, you may overlook obligations that aren’t in your favour.
• Unfavourable clauses: Some contracts contain one-sided terms, such as excessive penalties for breaches or clauses that heavily favour the other party.
• Vague responsibilities: If roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined, it could lead to disputes later about who is accountable for what.
• Dispute resolution issues: Contracts may include dispute resolution mechanisms that do not align with your interests, such as mandatory arbitration in a far-off location.
• Unenforceable or non-compliant terms: A lawyer can ensure that the terms of the contract comply with relevant laws, avoiding clauses that might be unenforceable.

Without a legal review, you run the risk of agreeing to terms that could harm your business, lead to costly disputes, or place you at a legal disadvantage.

Our fixed-fee Contract Review packages start at $900 + GST.

We’ll review a contract provided by you and highlight its major issues and risks. This package includes a review of the contract by a Sprintlaw lawyer and a complimentary phone consultation with a Sprintlaw lawyer to walk you through the advice.

If you wish, our lawyers will also provide you with a list of requested changes in a format that you can easily send to the other party.