We provide general commercial law support to many different types of business, assisting with both the procurement and sale of goods and services. Our client base ranges from global operations to smaller product suppliers and customers based in the UK and Europe. The diverse range includes a major international provider of payment systems and related products, a leading firm of consultants in the UK’s District Energy industry, a provider of gaming accessories, an eating disorder charity, a UK based paint manufacturer and IT businesses. To provide the best service, we make sure that we gain a thorough understanding of our clients and their business operations. In the age of AI there are benefits of standardisation in the contracting process, but we do not simply take the commodity approach of using the same standard boilerplate templates for every business. Terms and conditions that are not tailored to the products and markets to which they relate are likely to have unintended and disadvantageous consequences and to cause unnecessary tension in the negotiation process.
We advise on procurement and tender documentation, the creation or updating of standard terms and conditions, drafting, and negotiating bespoke contracts for specific deals and contract management issues as they arise during the contract lifecycle. We advise on arrangements for the distribution of products and establishment of sales networks, in the UK, Europe, and further afield. A great deal of our work involves the supply of products or services across different countries and legal jurisdictions. We are English lawyers but with our knowledge of many of the potential pitfalls of doing business outside the UK we can help to guide you through the minefield of international commerce, working with local lawyers as appropriate. It is amazing how many companies and advisers focus on preparing “belt and braces” contracts but give little thought as to whether and how they might be enforced, particularly in foreign jurisdictions. We are always looking for practical protections to support your contract, to minimise the need for costly litigation.
We have listed below the main types of contracts that we can help you with, but if the deal that you are looking at does not fall into those categories, the chances are that we can reflect your commercial objectives in an appropriate form of agreement. Over the years we have prepared agreements for the franchise of exotic lingerie, the commercialisation of a board game, and the provision of circus acrobats!
- Standard terms and conditions for sale and supply of goods and services
- Supply and manufacturing agreements
- Framework agreements
- Maintenance and technical assistance agreements
- Warranty and service level agreements
- Guarantees and indemnity agreements
- Agency, distribution and franchise agreements
- Introducer, fee and commission agreements
- Request For Proposal (RFP) and other tender documentation
- Sub-contractor contracts
- Freelancer agreements
- Consultancy agreements