A contract lawyer protects your business by drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts so that every clause is legally enforceable, commercially fair and free of the ambiguous wording that causes disputes. Contracts sit behind almost every relationship a company has — with employees, suppliers, landlords, investors and customers — which is why a single unclear or missing clause can end up costing far more to unpick than it would have cost to get right in the first place.
In recent years it has become easy to create a commercial contract for little or no fee using templates found online. But in a contract, every sentence, every defined term and every piece of punctuation affects what each party is actually obliged to do — and a small drafting mistake can move the document further from what you intended, and leave your business exposed to liability you never agreed to take on.
This guide explains what a contract lawyer does, why a free template rarely offers the same protection, and how Adam Bernard’s business contract lawyers can help you get it right the first time.
What Does a Contract Lawyer Do?
A commercial contract lawyer drafts new contracts, reviews and negotiates contracts you’ve been sent, and advises on your position if a contract is breached. A “contract” is a written or verbal agreement intended to be enforceable by law, most often used in sales, employment and property matters. An “enforceable contract” means that if either party breaks its terms, they become liable for damages and for remedying the loss caused by that breach. Understanding that distinction is the starting point for knowing why professional drafting matters.
Why Use a Contract Lawyer Instead of a Free Template?
They understand current contract law and legislation
Contract law and the regulations that sit around it change regularly, and keeping up with those changes while running a business is a full-time job in itself — which is exactly what it is for a commercial contract lawyer. Without one, it’s easy to breach a term without realising it, or to leave an important liability-protecting clause out of a contract altogether.
They use precise, unambiguous legal language
Free templates often rely on vague, generic wording. A contract lawyer knows the direct, industry-standard language that reduces ambiguity and reflects the customary terms used in your sector — language that can save a business thousands of pounds over the life of a contract.
They work solely in your interests
A contract lawyer you instruct is working for one client: you. That means your interests are prioritised throughout drafting and negotiation, giving you more bargaining power than negotiating alone or relying on a template written for nobody in particular.
They identify every contract your business actually needs
Beyond the one document you approach them with, a good contract lawyer will flag other agreements your business needs — employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements, terms and conditions — to maximise legal protection rather than leaving gaps.
They can step in if a contract is breached
If a dispute arises after a contract has been signed, the most effective resource is often the professional who drafted it and already understands its terms and intent. Even where you’ve drafted a contract yourself, it’s worth getting a qualified contract lawyer’s advice as soon as a breach looks likely.
The Real Cost of Getting a Contract Wrong
Poorly drafted contracts are a leading cause of disputes between UK businesses and their customers or suppliers. GOV.UK’s guidance on how to write fair contracts highlights unclear or unfair terms as a recurring source of complaints and legal risk for businesses, and the Small Business Commissioner’s contract guide points to vague payment terms and scope-of-work clauses as some of the most common causes of disputes between SMEs and their suppliers or clients.
Litigation over a contract dispute is almost always more expensive, slower and more disruptive than the cost of having the contract drafted properly the first time — which is why a contract lawyer is best thought of as a risk-management cost, not a discretionary one.
What Types of Contracts Can a Contract Lawyer Draft or Review?
A contract lawyer can typically help with:
- Employment, engagement and senior employee contracts
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and non-compete agreements
- Shareholder and joint venture agreements
- Supply, distribution and sale & purchase contracts
- IT, software and e-commerce contracts
- Franchise and influencer/brand ambassador agreements
This isn’t an exhaustive list — part of a contract lawyer’s job is identifying which of these your business needs even if you only came to them about one.
Already Have a Contract? When to Get It Reviewed
You don’t need a dispute to justify getting an existing contract checked. If you’ve been sent a contract to sign, or drafted one yourself from a template, a contract lawyer can review it before you’re bound by it. Adam Bernard offers an Analyse Your Contract service to identify risk in an existing contract, and a Redraft Your Contract service if it needs rewriting before you sign.
How Adam Bernard’s Business Contract Lawyers Can Help
Adam Bernard’s business contract lawyers draft, review and negotiate contracts for start-ups, SMEs and established businesses across industry, employment, IT, data and company/shareholder matters.
Every instruction includes an in-depth consultation with an expert business contract lawyer, a drafted contract, and one re-draft if you need it — on a fixed fee agreed upfront, so there are no hourly-rate surprises. We’re based in High Holborn (Central London) and Upton Park (East London), and advise businesses across the UK by video consultation on Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or Skype.
Call 0207 100 2525 today for your free 15-minute consultation, or visit our Central London or East London offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a contract lawyer do?
A contract lawyer drafts, reviews and negotiates the agreements a business relies on — from employment and supplier contracts to shareholder agreements and terms of service — and represents the business if a dispute arises over a breach.
How much does it cost to hire a contract lawyer in the UK?
Costs vary with the complexity and length of the contract. Adam Bernard Solicitors works on a fixed-fee basis, agreed upfront after a free 15-minute consultation, so there are no hourly-rate surprises.
Can a contract lawyer help if I’ve already signed a contract?
Yes. A contract lawyer can review a signed contract to explain your obligations and options, and can help renegotiate or draft a variation if both parties agree to change its terms.
What’s the risk of using a free online contract template?
Templates are rarely written for your specific industry or transaction. Vague or missing clauses are one of the most common causes of contract disputes between UK businesses, which can be far more costly to resolve than the fee for a professionally drafted contract.
Do I need a London-based contract lawyer, or can I get advice remotely?
Adam Bernard Solicitors has offices in High Holborn (Central London) and Upton Park (East London), and also advises businesses UK-wide via free video consultations on Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or Skype.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
