Legal help with contracts, policies & procedures

First4Lawyers can help you draw up contracts, policies and procedures that follow UK law, to reduce the chance of costly disputes with employees, customers and third parties.

You might have been stung in the past by not having water-tight policies, or you could be so busy running your business you haven’t had time to issue formal contracts, or draw up official procedures. Whatever your situation, you can benefit from hiring experts to review your existing position.

What are business contracts?

A business contract is an agreement between two or more parties that is bound in law. The contract will set out what each party must do or not do as part of the mutual agreement.

For example, the contract in question could define the nature of goods or services, as well as the price paid for those things.

There are many different types of business contracts. These relate – but are not limited - to:

  • Lease or sale of business premises
  • Partnership agreements
  • The lease or sale of plant equipment
  • The rights of employees
  • Exchanges of information.

What are the essential elements of a contract?

A contract must contain six essential elements to be binding in UK law. These six elements are:

  1. Offer
    This is a promise to do or not to do something in clear terms.
  2. Acceptance
    This forms the contractual obligations.
  3. Consideration
    This is a promise to act, or a promise not to act and represents the value within the contractual terms.
  4. Capacity
    In order to enter a contract, each party must have the capacity to fulfil its part of the agreement.
  5. Intention to create legal relations
    Both parties must expressly intend that the contract be binding in legal terms.
  6. No vitiating factors
    The contract must not contain any terms that legally invalidate the agreement.

What general matters are covered in a contract?

A business contract could define the parties involved, dates relevant to the terms and clauses, as well as descriptions of the goods and/or services that your business will receive or provide.

It’s also likely to cover payment amounts, any interest amounts on late payments, guarantee and insurance provisions, as well as damages for breach of contract and the termination conditions.

Why choose First4Lawyers?

Expert legal services for your business needs - whether it's employment law, policies or commercial property, we can help.

Free initial case review
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Our fully trained legal advisors are happy to offer initial guidance and advice for free

Panel of expert solicitors
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All our solicitors are pre-vetted and experts in providing legal services for business

No pressure
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We offer advice with no obligation.  We never cold-call or apply pressure to our customers

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What are policies and procedures?

Policies are rules, principles and guidelines. Procedures are the courses of action your company will take in different situations in line with policy.

The purpose of setting policies and procedures is to ensure actions and outcomes that are attuned to your company’s ethos.

What are the basic requirements of policies and procedures?

If your business employs five or more people, the law requires you to set out an achievable health and safety procedure in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This policy should include fire safety, risk assessment and workstation assessment procedures.

As equality is a statutory responsibility, you should also consider drawing up an Equal Opportunities Statement of Intent. This could include reference to recruitment, harassment and confidentiality.

Other policies and procedures could relate to the following:

  • Personnel – this may include staff discipline, dismissal, grievances, redundancy, retirement and more.
    Office management – like use of office and group facilities, security.
  • Finances – such as insurance.
  • Governance - eg. reporting procedures.

What are the main advantages of having thorough contracts, policies and procedures in place?

Having detailed contracts, policies and procedures in place can, among other things, reduce the risk of your employees needing – or having grounds – to make a claim against you.

How can First4Lawyers help?

Whether you want to draw up new contracts, policies and procedures, or you need to adapt your existing documentation, we have contract law experts who can help.

Our friendly legal advisors can assess your requirements for free and with no obligation. Just get in touch to find out more.

Need a hand? First4Lawyers will...

  • Review your legal requirements for free
  • Recommend the most appropriate action based on your personal needs
  • Assign you a pre-vetted solicitor from our expert panel

Holly was amazing, her attentiveness, understanding and her general customer care was outstanding. Made me feel very comfortable speaking to her. I could not recommend a better company to speak to and with such amazing staff.

Miss Emma J

I was dealt with the most kind and caring manner by Rebeka. Also very efficient by explaining everything I had to know and connecting me to a solicitors who would deal with my claim. Thank you!

Mrs A Hill

Nice staff, very helpful and very easy to deal with. The initial part only took a few minutes. Staff also very knowledgeable and know what they are talking about.

Mr Richardson

Spoke with a lovely advisor called Chelsea who was great. She listened to everything that I said and gave brilliant advice. Her customer service was brilliant, she was very polite and gave me all the information about what are the next steps.

Mr N Dean

Get in touch today to discuss your requirements 08005677866
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