IT Contracts Guides & Features

Don’t rely on rights in ‘unlawful’ agreements

A contract ruled as illegal is no basis to bring claims on the rights it may afford.

Why IT contractors must check indemnity tenses

Incurred or to be incurred? That is the question which robbed a bank of its losses.

Nobody likes a bully when negotiating your contract

Even lawful ‘bullying’ tactics can render your contract unenforceable – IT lawyer.

Contractor checklist: structure and clauses a contract for services should include

Barrister, John Antell, on getting the contract right.

When is an agency worker not an employee? Answer – most of the time

Contracts for services that reflect the arrangements are still determinative of status – Lawspeed.

On paper, when is an employee not an employee?

Why the courts could be about to make consultancy agreements more appealing.

Contract basics for IT contractors

Seven questions IT freelancers should ask about their contract.

Beating the IT contract crunch: i) client cuts

Legal aid on fighting cuts to your pay, duration and contract.

Beating the IT contract crunch ii) broken promises

Legal aid for when agents, clients and contractors go back on their word.

Beating the IT contract crunch iii) pressure points

Legal aid for when contractors are pushed to accept the unacceptable.

IR35 contracts & risk: 10 things to be wary of when signing a consultancy contract

What should you be wary of before agreeing a contract with your agency or client? There are two broad areas that contractors should be concerned with - exposure to commercial risk and exposure to IR35 liabilities.

When is a contract not a contract?

Legal expert on what the high court is saying about ‘subject to contract’ negotiations.

How NOT to frame freelancer-agency contracts

Four contractual sins for agency contractors to abhor, by Cubism Law's David Buckle.

What NOT to miss in freelance contracts

The four contract hooks that freelancers overlook, by Cubism Law's David Buckle.

Putting the gross in ‘gross negligence’

Clients seeking the highest standards of care have cause to redraft supplier contracts.

Age of email blurs what’s a binding contract

Why unnecessary problems are likely to loom for contractors who fire off emails, by commercial solicitor Sue Mann.

Entire agreement clauses don’t work

Or at least, they don’t do everything you might want them to, writes IT lawyer Richard Nicholas.

Contracting out of your obligations upon failure isn't easy

Companies can’t leave creditors out of pocket if they fold, reminds contracts advisor Paul Cox.

Why IT contractors mustn’t ignore ‘terms & conditions on request’

IT lawyer Richard Nicholas on a contractual request you can’t afford to turn down.

What NOT to do with freelance contracts

The five contract mistakes that freelancers make, by Cubism Law's David Buckle.

Offset the IR35 risk of long-term IT contracts

How IT contractors can win longer lasting work without paying the price.

Contractors' Questions

Extra cause for contractors to take care with restrictive covenants

Your options; if end-users tighten up to stop a 'tidal wave' of their clients defecting to you.

Contractors’ Questions: What to do if my rate gets cut?

Practical tips for IT contractors told to drop their pay or leave.

Contractors’ Questions: What if I was terminated prior to start date?

Expert aid for a new IT contractor left hanging after leaving permiedom.

Contractors’ Questions: Does the agency’s closure void the contract?

Legal aid for an IT contractor hoping the restrictive covenants died with the agency.

Contractors’ Questions: Is my acceptance on email binding?

Legal aid for a freelancer with more IT contract offers than he can manage.

Contractors’ Questions: Does leaving me unpaid reduce their right to IP?

Legal aid for an IT contractor hoping to put the client’s IP rights in shackles until he’s paid in full. 

Contractors' Questions: How to keep my current client?

Legal aid for an agency contractor stuck with a 12-month restriction clause.

Contractors' Questions: Should I accept a 10-day termination clause?

Legal aid for an IT freelancer facing non-payment if he proves 'unsuitable'.

Contractors' Questions: What if I quit without giving notice?

Expert helps an IT freelancer stuck with his contract until it ends.

Contractors' Questions: Is my contract in the bag?

Legal expert on the world of difference between a contract and a contract offer.

Contractors' Questions: Should contract spaces be filled in later?

Legal expert says IT contractors shouldn't let agents fill in the blanks.

Contractors' Questions: How to draw up a contract?

Legal tips for drawing up a contract agreement between 'Ltd' and client companies.

Contractors' Questions: Is a non-payment clause fair?

Legal aid for an IT contractor facing a sharp termination clause.

Contractors' Questions: Is my agency contract unfair?

Legal aid for an IT contractor who doesn't get paid until his agency does.

Contractors' Questions: How to get a contract for freelancing?

Expert helps a new freelancer looking for a 'one size fits all' contract.

Contractors' Questions: Can I cancel a signed contract?

Expert helps an IT contractor tempted to renege his contract for a better offer.

Contractors' Questions: Should I start with no contract?

Legal tips for when IT contractor clients don't do paperwork until day one.

Contractors' Questions: Did I have an oral contract?

Legal aid for a freelancer who 'doesn't have a leg to stand on.'

Further Reading

Should I invoice for downtime?

IT contractor advised to bill for hours sat at home twiddling his thumbs.

Why no termination clause?

Legal aid to an IT contractor whose contract is silent on termination.

How to beat 'subject to approval'?

IT contractors should speak for themselves when client intentions aren't forthcoming.

What's in a contract?

Legal help for a freelancer who needs to draw up his own contract to go direct.

What now I've walked out on my contract?

Legal aid for an IT contractor who quit in week three of a 3-month contract.

Emails did not form a contract – ruling

Appeal Court judge: calls and emails were a business discussion, not a contract.

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