Logistics Contracts Solicitors
Logistics contracts are agreements for the carriage, storage and handling of goods, setting out each party’s responsibilities, rates, liability for loss or damage and the rules for delays and claims.
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Adam Bernard Solicitors drafts and reviews logistics contracts for hauliers, freight forwarders, warehouse operators, couriers and the businesses that rely on them. Logistics is a sector where small drafting gaps create large losses. A pallet lost in transit, a delayed delivery that stops a production line, or an unpaid storage invoice can quickly turn into a dispute if liability has not been allocated clearly.
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Types of Logistics Contracts We Handle
Haulage and carriage agreements for domestic and international road transport.
Third-party logistics (3PL) agreements covering warehousing, pick-and-pack, fulfilment and distribution.
Warehousing and storage agreements.
Freight forwarding terms for arranging carriage by road, sea and air.
Courier and last-mile delivery agreements.
Subcontract haulage agreements between carriers.
Vehicle hire and fleet services agreements.
Key Clauses in a Logistics Contract
A strong logistics contract defines the service, the rates, the point at which responsibility for goods starts and ends, and the limits on liability for loss, damage and delay.
Service description and service levels – collection windows, delivery times and performance measures. See our service level agreements page.
Rates and surcharges – fuel surcharges, waiting time, storage charges and indexation.
Liability limits – usually a cap per kilogram or per consignment.
Claims procedure – notification deadlines for loss and damage.
Lien – the right to hold goods until charges are paid.
Insurance – goods-in-transit and public liability cover.
Subcontracting – whether the carrier can use other hauliers.
Customs and compliance – responsibility for documentation and duties.
International Road Haulage and the CMR Convention
International carriage of goods by road to or from the UK is usually governed by the CMR Convention, which limits a carrier’s liability and sets strict time limits for claims. The Convention has the force of law in the UK under the Carriage of Goods by Road Act 1965. Where it applies, the parties cannot contract out of its mandatory rules, so your contract must be drafted around it. For sea freight, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971 gives effect to the Hague-Visby Rules.
Domestic Carriage and Warehousing
Domestic UK road haulage and warehousing are not governed by a single mandatory regime, so the written contract and any incorporated standard terms decide liability. That makes clear terms on liability caps, exclusions and claims periods essential. Any limitation of liability in a business contract must be reasonable under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. Services must be performed with reasonable care and skill under section 13 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 unless validly modified.
Operator Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
Most businesses that use goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to carry goods for hire or reward need a goods vehicle operator’s licence, and customers should require evidence of it in their contracts. The GOV.UK goods vehicle operator licensing guide explains the requirements. Logistics contracts should also deal with driver hours, vehicle maintenance and health and safety obligations.
Drivers and Employment Status
Owner-drivers and agency drivers raise employment status and tax questions that logistics contracts should address. See GOV.UK guidance on employment status and our agency worker contracts page.
Getting Paid
Late payment is a recurring issue for hauliers. The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 gives a statutory right to interest, and a well-drafted lien clause gives practical leverage.
Logistics Contract Checklist for Customers
Businesses buying logistics services should check four points before signing: liability limits, insurance, claims deadlines and exit.
Liability limits – is the cap per kilogram or consignment enough for the value of your goods? If not, arrange declared-value cover or your own goods-in-transit insurance.
Insurance – does the provider’s cover match the contract’s liability, and are you named or noted?
Claims deadlines – how quickly must loss or damage be notified? Deadlines can be very short.
Exit – how will stock held in a warehouse be released if the relationship ends or there is a payment dispute, given any lien?
For providers, the same points apply in reverse: liability should be capped and insured, and claims procedures should be enforceable.
How Adam Bernard Solicitors Can Help
We draft logistics contracts and standard trading terms, review customer and subcontractor agreements through our contract review service, and prepare related supply of services agreements. See all our commercial contract services.
Call 0207 100 2525 (24/7) or book a free consultation to discuss your contract.
This page is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a logistics contract include?
Does the CMR Convention apply to UK domestic haulage?
Can a haulier limit its liability for lost or damaged goods?
What is a lien clause in a logistics contract?
Do I need an operator's licence to run a haulage business?
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