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301 Legal Forms, Letters and Agreements will help you get it in writing. It contains a legal form for practically every home and business need.
 

This is an Acceptance of Order Form for use by a Supplier to confirm an order for the sale of goods. This document is a template in Word format and can be adapted by you for your company's purposes.

A sample form is also provided to guide you in completing the document.

Form of Adoption of Trading Name in pdf format

This advance payment guarantee is for use where a developer makes an advance payment to a contractor and obtains a bank guarantee as security against that payment.

The guarantee is payable on demand and contains optional wording for the value of the guarantee to reduce as interim payments are made under the contract.

This Agent's Appointment is suitable for a company that wishes to act as agent for a manufacturer or supplier on an exclusive basis in a defined territory.

This is a ten-page document with 10 main clauses covering

• definitions of key terms
• duration
• terms of appointment
• agent's general obligations
• orders and sales
• principal's general obligations
• intellectual property
• termination
• non-competition
• a general clause detailing assignment, subcontracting, notices, language, dispute resolution and governing law.

This document is for international use and it is generally compatible with EU legislation.

This agreement is written from the agent's point of view. If you are a principal / manufacturer, see document A101.

This agency agreement is suitable for a principal, manufacturer or supplier, who wishes to appoint an agent on an exclusive basis in a defined territory for the sale of those goods.

This is a detailed agent's appointment with 11 main clauses covering

• definitions of key terms
• appointment of an agent
• duration
• minimum sales targets
• principal's right to make direct sales in certain circumstances
• general obligations of agent and principal
• procedures for ordering products
• intellectual property
• termination
• confidentiality
• non-competition
• a general clause detailing indemnity, assignment, subcontracting, waiver, severability, language, resolution of disputes and governing law. 

This appointment of an agent is designed to be compatible with EU law and has recently been updated.

This version is written from the point of view of the manufacturer or supplier - the principal.  For a bias in favour of the agent please see template A102.

If you are working in China you may also want to consider the Chinese translation of this template, C101.

This agency agreement is suitable for a principal, manufacturer or supplier, who wishes to appoint an agent on an exclusive basis in a defined territory for the sale of those goods.

This is a detailed agent's appointment with 11 main clauses covering

• definitions of key terms
• appointment and duration
• major terms of appointment
• agent’s general obligations
• orders & sales
• principal's general obligations
• intellectual property
• termination
• non competition
• confidentiality
• a general clause detailing indemnity, assignment, subcontracting, notices, the scope of the agreement, waiver, severability, language, resolution of disputes and governing law.

This version is written from the point of view of the manufacturer or supplier - the principal.

This legal template is designed for use in India.

If you are working in China you may also want to consider the Chinese translation of this template, C101.

This agreement for the sale or purchase of a business contains basic terms for a sale of the assets of a business on a going concern basis (that is, that the business will function without the reasonable threat of liquidation for the foreseeable future).

This eleven page document contains 14 clauses covering

• definitions
• sale and purchase
• consideration
• conduct of business before completion
• completion
• action after completion
• debts and liabilities
• contracts and employees
• apportionments
• warranties
• confidentiality
• notices
• law and jurisdiction
• a general clause addressing further assurance, variation, the scope of the agreement, representation, severability, assignment and third party rights.

This contract is suitable as a template either for the sale of a small business which is not established as a limited company, or for the sale of stock and other assets by a limited company.

This agreement is for the sale and purchase of a limited company by the sale of all of the shares in the company to the purchaser(s). This agreement is suitable for the acquisition or disposal of a small or medium sized company which has no subsidiaries.

This nine page document contains 13 clauses covering

• definitions
• sale and purchase
• sale price
• completion
• warranties
• indemnity
• further assurance
• non-competition
• payment of costs
• announcements and confidentiality
• notices
• law and jurisdiction
• a general clause detailing variation, the scope of the agreement, representation, severability, assignment and third party rights

An annexure allows for a disclosure letter to be written by the sellers.

You need this document if you want to buy or sell a small or medium-sized limited company, and want to buy or sell all shares in the company.

This agreement is suitable for use where both Seller and Buyer are the only Shareholders in a Company and the effect of the sale will be to transfer control of the Company to the Buyer.

This five page document contains 7 clauses covering

• sale and purchase of shares
• price
• warranties
• completion
• law and jurisdiction
• shareholders’ agreement
• a general clause addressing variation, the scope of the agreement, representation, severability, assignment and third party rights.

This agreement is shorter than many such agreements because of the relationship of the parties, both of them being shareholders and represented on the board of the company.

Warranties are therefore limited and the contract deals primarily with the number and shares to be sold, price, actions on completion - payment and resignation of directors.

The agreement provides for the cancellation of a shareholders' agreement if this exists.

You need this document if you want to transfer control of a company from a Seller to a Buyer, where the Seller and Buyer are the only shareholders in a company.

Form of Appointment of a Chairman in word format

This is a solid and straightforward consultancy appointment in the form of letter.

It is for appointing an individual as a consultant or freelancer to provide services to a company over a limited period in return for a fee. The fee is either fixed or calculated by reference to hourly/daily rates.

The 15 paragraphs in this letter can be adapted for a great variety of consultancy appointments - particularly useful for short-term appointments where a consultant is engaged for a few months on a particular project.

The letter covers

• services to be provided
• length of appointment
• minimum term
• provision of office space
• changes to the service
• fees and reimbursement of expenses
• invoicing
• standard of work
• relationship with the Company
• responsible for any tax, national insurance contributions
• confidentiality
• relationships with Company customers and suppliers
• copyright and intellectual property
• subcontracting
• termination
• scope of the agreement

You may also want to look at our Consultant's Legal Pack, which contains an array of legal template documents designed for use in a consultancy business.

You need this document if you want to appoint an individual or freelancer to provide consultancy services to your business over a limited period of time.

Form of Appointment of a Director in pdf format

This is a short document, with a schedule that contains details of the contract and disputes to be mediated.

This agreement contains 6 clauses covering

• appointment of a mediator
• procedure for mediation
• mediator’s fees
• confidentiality
• immunity of mediator
• governing law

You need this document if you want to appoint a mediator to resolve a dispute between yourself and another party to a contract. It is applicable to a range of disputes.

Designed from the structural engineer's rather than the client's perspective, this agreement is designed for use by anyone proposing to undertake a development.

In sixteen clauses this 4 page document covers

• appointment
• basic services
• fees & payment
• standard of care
• owner's obligations
• copyright
• insurance
• confidentiality
• publicity
• assignment & subcontracting
• termination
• suspension
• resolution of disputes & governing law
• notices
• the scope of the agreement
• relationship between the parties

Schedules are left blank for the description of the services and fee arrangements. A set of optional extra clauses is included with our explanatory notes.

You need this document if you are a structural engineer looking to undertake development work for a client, and want clarity on the terms of your agreement.

This legal document template is for two parties entering into a contract to agree to appoint an adjudicator for disputes which arise out of that contract.

This concise contract contains 8 clauses covering

• appointment
• adjudication procedure
• fees and payment
• liability
• confidentiality
• termination
• notices
• law and language

A schedule is included, allowing parties to detail the adjudicator’s fees and expenses.

You need this document if you are a party to a disputed contract, and want to appoint an adjudicator to address disputes.

Designed from the architect's rather that the client's perspective, this agreement is designed for use by anyone proposing to undertake a development.

In sixteen clauses this 4 page document covers

• appointment
• basic services
• fees & payment
• standard of care
• owner's obligations
• copyright
• insurance
• confidentiality
• publicity
• assignment & subcontracting
• termination
• suspension
• resolution of disputes & governing law
• notices
• the scope of the agreement
• relationship between the parties

Schedules are left blank for the description of the services and fee arrangements. A set of optional extra clauses is included with our explanatory notes - scroll down to see them.

You need this document if you are an architect looking to undertake design and/or development work for a client, and want clarity on the terms of your agreement.

Form of Appointment of Auditors in pdf format.

Form of Appointment of Bankers in word format

This agreement is designed for use by a company which is based in one country and is buying goods from another and wishes to appoint either an individual or a company to represent it in its dealings with the foreign manufacturers or suppliers.

This seven page document contains 13 clauses covering

• definitions
• representation
• commencement and duration
• duties of the representative
• duties of the company
• representative’s fees and expenses
• relationship of parties
• confidentiality
• force majeure
• termination
• communication and notices
• governing law and resolution of disputes
• a general clause detailing assignment and subcontracting, the scope of the agreement, waiver and severability

You need this contract if you are a company looking to appoint an individual or company to represent you outside the United Kingdom in dealing with foreign manufacturers or suppliers.

In the form of a letter from the employer to the employee, this contract sets out the terms of the employment and expatriate benefits for an executive. Suitable as a basis both for a new recruit and an existing employee who is to be posted overseas.

This eight page contract contains 16 clauses covering

• job title and duties
• commencement and term
• salary
• travel arrangements
• accommodation
• car
• leave
• children’s education
• medical
• sickness
• pensions
• confidentiality
• termination
• restrictions after termination
• notices
• governing law

You need this document if you are an employer looking to send a new or existing employee to an overseas post, and want clarity about the employee’s rights and obligations.

This employment contract is in the form of a letter from the employer to the employee, setting out the terms of the employment and expatriate benefits for an executive.  Suitable as a basis both for a new recruit and an existing employee who is to be posted overseas. There are two versions – English and Chinese.

There are 16 paragraphs setting out the terms of the appointment.  In addition to the usual provisions there are terms dealing with travel arrangements, accommodation, children's education and medical treatment etc.

This appointment letter for a non-executive director is based on the sample letter found in the Good Practice Suggestions from the Higgs Report.

The letter addresses the appointment and termination of the non-executive director's contract, and includes clauses detailing:

• the director's time commitments, role and duties
• fees
• outside interests
• company committees, and
• commitment to confidentiality

Reference to the company's annual review is made. The letter also details:

• company policy on data protection
• insurance, and
• the right of the director to seek independent legal advice.

The letter should be presented in duplicate to the director so that he or she can retain one copy for their records.

Given that many non-executive directors are not employees, the practical, straightforward format of the letter is invaluable in clearly detailing the non-executive director’s role within a company.

This is a comprehensive agreement suitable for the appointment of a wide range of professional consultants – architect, structural engineer, quantity surveyor, services engineer, landscape consultant etc.

This eight page document contains 19 clauses covering

• definitions and interpretation
• appointment
• commencement & term
• scope of services & duties of consultant
• fees & payment
• additional services
• copyright licence
• professional indemnity insurance
• assignment & subcontracting
• warranties
• termination
• suspension
• confidentiality
• notices
• resolution of disputes
• governing law
• previous agreement
• rights of third parties
• partnership

There are four schedules to be completed, detailing the description of the project and client’s appointment brief, detailed services, fees and a form of collateral warranty deed.

You need this document if you want to undertake a development and appoint a consultant. It can be used for a wide range of professional consultants – architect, quantity surveyor, structural engineer, landscape architect, etc.

Anyone embarking on a project to build a new home is going to need professional support – there will be an architect to prepare the designs and other professionals could include a quantity surveyor, a structural engineer, mechanical and electrical engineer, project manager, interior designer and landscape architect.

This is a user friendly generic form of agreement that is suitable for appointing these professionals. While some of them will want you to sign up to their standard terms, professional institutes such as the RIBA have quite complicated contract forms. If you are managing your own project, it is easier to use a straightforward, fairly balanced contract than to have a variety of different forms with different professionals.

This agreement contains 19 clauses covering

• services
• duration
• standard of care
• directions
• general duties
• key personnel
• fees and payment
• changes
• copyright
• insurances
• third party rights and warranties
• termination
• suspension
• confidentiality
• assignment and subletting
• resolution of disputes
• notices
• partnerships
• the scope of the agreement

There is also a Schedule to be completed that will contain details of the project, scope of services and fees.

For guidance on issues that need to be considered in the contracts for a building project, see our free document Guidance Notes for a Home Builder Z165.

Designed from the quantity surveyor's rather that the client's perspective, this agreement is designed for use by anyone proposing to undertake a development.

In sixteen clauses this 4 page document covers

• appointment
• basic services
• fees & payment
• standard of care
• owner's obligations
• copyright
• insurance
• confidentiality
• publicity
• assignment & subcontracting
• termination
• suspension
• resolution of disputes & governing law
• notices
• the scope of the agreement
• relationship between the parties

Schedules are left blank for the description of the services and fee arrangements. A set of optional extra clauses is included with our explanatory notes.

You need this document if you are a quantity surveyor looking to undertake development work for a client, and want clarity on the terms of your agreement.

This Agreement is designed for use by the manufacturer or supplier of a product who wishes to appoint an agent to sell it in a particular area.

The product could be almost any product - from gym equipment to stationery.

This nine page document contains 14 clauses covering

• definitions
• appointment
• account for the commission
• principal’s obligations, including support, exclusivity, indemnity, quality, supply and payment
• agent’s obligations, including completion, sales, promotion, loyalty, compliance, enquiries, intellectual property, secrecy, reporting, records and inspections thereof, agency, indemnity, credit, profit, warranties and compliance
• termination
• consequences of termination
• title
• severance
• principal’s assignment rights
• change of address
• partnership
• VAT
• jurisdiction

You need this document if you are a manufacturer or supplier wanting to formalize the appointment of an agent to sell your product in a particular area.

This agreement appointing a sales consultant is suitable for use by a company that wishes to appoint an individual to provide services as a self-employed consultant promoting the products sold by the Company in return for agreed fees and expenses (and, perhaps, commission on sales).

The sales consultant agreement is prepared in the form of a letter to be issued on the company's notepaper and countersigned by the consultant.

This five page letter contains 21 clauses covering

• services and territory
• commencement and duration
• working time
• office facilities (as applicable)
• consultation and change to services
• fees and expenses
• invoices
• obligations of consultant
• independence and authority
• company obligations
• taxation
• confidentiality
• intellectual property
• assignment and subcontracting
• termination
• restrictions after termination
• indemnity
• notices
• language
• resolution of disputes
• governing law

A schedule is appended, detailing products to be covered by the agreement, services to be provided by the consultant, territory and fees, commission and expenses.

The Consultant is not an agent and has no authority to make sales on the Company's behalf.

You need this letter if you want to appoint a self-employed sales consultant in return for fees, commission or expenses, and formally set out the terms of your agreement.

Form of Appointment of Secretary in pdf format

Appointment of an individual to provide services on a part-time, self-employed basis. This form is suitable for a wide range of appointments - from engaging a drama tutor to a bookkeeper. (Letter form)

The letter makes reference to the following:

• services
• appointment
• minimum working hours
• location
• changes to services
• payment rate
• invoices
• duty of care
• relationship between parties
• tax and National Insurance contributions
• notice
• confidentiality
• post-termination obligations
• substitution
• termination
• governing law

Use this document if you want to appoint an individual on a part-time, self-employed basis, and want clarity on the terms governing your relationship.

Form of Approval and Register of Transfer of Shares in pdf format

This Arbitration Agreement is designed for use where an employer, main contractor and subcontractor agree to refer disputes arising out of a project to the same arbitrator. It is suitable for international or domestic disputes.

This four page document contains 11 clauses covering

• submission to and purpose of arbitration
• appointment of arbitrator
• place of arbitration
• language
• law
• written pleadings & procedure
• costs
• binding effect
• prior agreements superseded
• settlement
• interpretation

There is also a clause dealing with partial settlement before the arbitration has been completed.

The schedules will contain details of relevant contracts, disputes and matters to be decided by the arbitrator.

You need this document if you are a party to a project dispute, and agree to refer the dispute to an arbitrator for resolution.

This agreement is designed for use when the owner of an Art Gallery wants to exhibit works by an artist or sculptor for sale in the Gallery.

This six page document contains 11 clauses covering

• basic agreement
• role of gallery owner
• artist’s warranties and obligations
• pricing, payment and commission
• confidentiality
• assignment
• notices
• termination
• partnership
• the scope of the agreement
• law and disputes

You need this document if you are the owner of an art gallery, and want to exhibit an artist’s works for sale in your gallery.

This agreement is designed for use where two parties are involved in the purchase/sale of assets of a business.

This twenty-nine page agreement contains 20 clauses covering

• purchase and sale of assets
• purchase price
• assumption of liabilities
• closing
• labor and employment matters
• loss, destruction, condemnation or damage to assets
• taxes/fees, other expenses and prorations, etc.
• other agreements of the parties
• real estate
• representations and warranties of the seller
• representations and warranties of the buyer
• conditions to the obligation of the buyer to close
• conditions to the obligation of the seller to close
• operation of business prior to closing; cooperation
• indemnification by the seller
• indemnification by the buyer
• termination of agreement
• choice of law; dispute resolution
• the scope of the agreement; modification/waiver
• a miscellaneous clause detailing survival of representations and warranties, covenant of further assurances, force majeure, notices, governing language, headings, assignment, severability, counterparts and knowledge of the parties.

This form is comprehensive in scope and is of moderate complexity, and can be adapted for use both with smaller, less complex transactions and larger, more complex transactions.

It includes language relating to the transfer of real estate, which can be deleted if not needed. It is intended for use in any state in the United States.

This agreement template is for use where a tenant (the assignor) agrees to transfer the remainder of its lease to a third party (the assignee) in return for a fee. It can be used for the assignment of either a lease or a sublease.   This Assignment of Lease is only suitable for transferring/assigning a lease that is not registered at the Land Registry and is for less than 7 years.  See our Explanatory Notes for more information.

This four page document contains 9 clauses covering

• definitions and interpretation
• assignment
• title guarantee
• indemnity
• 1954 Act proceedings
• costs
• VAT
• rights of third parties
• applicable law

A Schedule is included, allowing users to include property title details.

You need this document if you are a tenant looking to transfer your lease to another person in exchange for a fee.

This legal document template is for use where a tenant who assigns his lease to a third party is required by the landlord to guarantee that the assignee will perform the tenant's obligations under the lease.

It covers:

• definitions
• authorised guarantee agreements
• the guarantor’s covenants
• the landlord’s covenant
• circumstances under which the guarantor will not be released from liability
• Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

The basic rule is that once a tenant transfers his lease he no longer has any obligation to the landlord.

An Authorised Guarantee Agreement keeps the original tenant on the hook in case the assignee defaults.

This Bidding Agreement (Teaming Agreement in the USA) sets out the basis upon which two parties will co-operate together to bid for a contract.

This five page document contains 10 clauses covering

• co-operation
• submission of tender & pre-contract negotiations
• tender preparation costs
• subcontract
• further agreement
• duration
• confidentiality
• obligations and restrictions
• assignment
• governing law and disputes

Use this legal document template when you want your company to co-operate with another company in bidding for a contract, to clarify the terms of your relationship.

This Bidding Agreement (Teaming Agreement in the USA) sets out the basis upon which two parties will co-operate together to bid for a contract.

This five page agreement contains 10 clauses covering

• co-operation
• submission of tender & pre-contract negotiations
• tender preparation costs
• subcontract
• further agreement
• duration
• confidentiality
• obligations and restrictions
• assignment
• governing law and disputes

You need this document if you want to work together with another party to bid for a contract. The terms of the agreement set out your relationship to the other party, and your mutual obligations.

A simple bill of sale to transfer ownership of personal property, designed for use when U.S. law applies. The document contains 5 clauses dealing with

• assignment and consideration
• limited warranty
• further assurances
• waiver of bulk sales laws
• choice of law

You need this document if you are looking to transfer ownership of your property, and want us law to apply to your transaction.

This Agreement is for joint owners of a boat who use it for leisure, and are already the owners, or who intend to purchase one together to form a new syndicate.

This seven page document contains 16 clauses covering

• definitions
• interpretations
• background
• terms of ownership of the boat
• terms of ownership of the equipment
• operational regulations
• syndicate monies
• formal meeting
• pre-emption right
• shares purchase option
• owners’ liability and insurance
• owners’ obligations
• determination of the purchase price
• arbitration
• change of ownership or address
• notices

Four Schedules are included, allowing parties to set out details of ownership, equipment, regulations and option events.

This agreement is not suitable for a boat used for commercial purposes, but is suitable for a boat used for leisure purposes.

This is a handy guide to book-keeping for new business start-ups. 

This book is different from most on bookkeeping because it's written primarily for the entrepreneur.

Whilst students and those entering book-keeping and accountancy careers for the first time may find it of interest, it's not a textbook. It's really aimed at small business owners. Apart from showing how to set up accounting records and explaining the jargon used by those in the profession, it also demonstrates the practical uses to which a goahead businessperson can put the information stored within the accounts of a business.

Keeping an accurate detail of all your business transactions should never be classed as a job to be done only when you can fit it into your busy schedule. Your business paperwork needs to be updated daily because it's the gauge of the financial health of your business. It's no good moaning that time could be more profitably spent making sales, because if you sell goods or services at a loss due to poor accounting procedures, what is the point of being in business? Did you know that more businesses fail in their first year or two because of insufficient financial control than for any other reason?

This contract is for a home owner appointing a contractor to build a new house or carry out other construction or renovation work.

The contract is in a user-friendly style in four parts:

• a one page form of agreement that the client and contractor will sign
• a set of standard Terms & Conditions
• a one-page Appendix with a list of specific items such as the completion date, amount of insurances etc.
• Schedules that should contain details of the project including the scope of work or specification, the contract price and payment terms.

The included Terms and Conditions detail:

• contractor obligations
• client obligations
• planning and permits
• representatives
• work at site
• price and payment
• change and delay
• acceptability of services
• completion, defects and liquidated damages
• insurance and indemnity
• ownership and risk
• termination and suspension
• client supplied materials and equipment guarantees
• third party rights
• a general clause addressing notice, assignment, subcontracting, the scope of the agreement, amendment, severance and waiver
• settlements of disputes and law
• definitions

The format allows for the client to appoint more than one contractor on a project using essentially the same terms and conditions if the client decides to appoint a number of different contractors for different parts of the project.

For guidance on issues to consider in the contracts for a building project, see our free document Guidance Notes for a Home Builder Z165.

Business Agreements Made Easy: from pre-contractual business discussions to bringing a business deal to an end, this guide covers every step of the business agreement process. 

It is a general guide to some of the main commercial and legal issues, as well as the pitfalls, which can arise in relation to these business agreements.

The focus of this book is business-to-business contracts for the sale of goods or the supply of services to clients.

Contracts are looked at in a practical and commercial context, not just a legal perspective.  Various commercial and legal issues which occur throughout the contract process (e.g. from pre-contract to the end of the contract) are looked at.

In this book most of the issues are looked at from your perspective when dealing with your clients.  They are also relevant when dealing with your suppliers or subcontractors.  The book is not intended to deal with any specific industry.  It is intended to cover general simple business agreements for the supply of goods and/or services.   For example, it does not cover agency agreements or distribution agreements, employment contracts, contracts for sale of businesses or research and development agreements.

This Business Forms Pack is a collection of one-page forms suitable for a small business.  

There are no detailed explanatory notes as each form is self-explanatory.  

They are all in Word format and can easily be adapted or customised for your own business.

This business forms pack incorporates:

• Purchase Order
• Confirmation of Purchase Order 
• Invoice 
• Statement of Account
• Time Recording Form
• Expenses Claim Form
• Mileage Claim Form
• Petty Cash Voucher
• Message Recording Form
• Overtime Claim Form

These standard forms for running a small business will make admin easier and give you  a professional presentation to customers and clients.

Business Letters Made Easy is a comprehensive collection of a wide range of business letters and this book will repay you, not only in time saved, but also in helping you to clinch deals, get debts paid quickly, obtain better prices and persuade people to your way of thinking.

Subjects covered include managing suppliers and customers, debt collection, credit control and more.

The Guide has a comprehensive Contents page, which groups the letters by topic.

Each topic is then subdivided into further categories, for example, under Managing Suppliers you will find (amongst others) Quotations, Orders, Invoices and statements, etc.

Each letter is also numbered for ease of reference. 

Business Letters Made Easy: ready-drafted letters for every business situation.

Outline Business Plan in word format

The Business Terms and Conditions e-Kit provides you with guidance and background information to help you understand the key elements of business terms and conditions including:

• Price and payment
• Delivery
• Recourse for faulty goods
• Force majeure
• Retention of title
• Limit of liability
• Termination

It also includes some model forms.  The kit covers the supply of services as well as goods and includes advice on debt recovery and how to choose and get the best out of your lawyer.

This is a key download for anyone starting a business or if you want to update your knowledge and make sure you understand the legal basics of business transactions.

This document is a template for detailing details of flights, hotels, car hire etc, for signing off by a manager prior to an employee travelling on company business.

It can be edited in Word, and adjusted to suit individual requirements and purchase order numbers or accounting codes.

This form should ideally be used alongside the Travel & Expenses policy document (E117) to highlight to employees the type of flights, and hotels they should be booking and which class or value of travel their position allows them to book.

Buying and Selling a Business gives you all you need to buy or sell a business in one neat information-packed pocket book.

Buying or selling a business are stressful events and, while they are apparently closely related (the same commodity is being traded, that of a business), in reality both are very different.

If you are buying a business, you will be in the driving seat. If you are selling one, you need to present your business to the purchaser in such a way that he will decide to buy.

Until he agrees to the purchase, and you have his signature on the contract, he is free to drop out at any moment of his choosing. In other words, he, as purchaser, not you, will be in the driving seat.

So with these two roles being very different, you will find that this book tries to cater for your adopting and, indeed, understanding both roles.

Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR is the phrase widely used nowadays to describe a method of resolving disputes without going to court. This free document gives you background information about ADR and arbitration.

Arbitration is a method of settling disputes between parties to a contract without having recourse to the courts.  The clause in the contract which provides for arbitration is usually referred to by lawyers as "the Arbitration Agreement".

If there is no arbitration clause then, unless the parties otherwise agree, in the event of a dispute, either of them may start proceedings in the courts.

It is usual for parties to have a contract to determine whether they will permit each other to assign their respective rights or transfer their respective obligations to third parties; in the absence of any specific provision in the contract, the usual rule is that whilst it may be permissible for a party to assign its rights under a contract, it is not permissible for that party to transfer its obligations under a contract to a third party without the consent of the other members of the agreement.

This free guidance document gives information on this process and is useful to contractors in the construction industry.

This document contains a number of clauses which are routinely incorporated in agreements prepared for use in England and other common law countries.

In this briefing paper, Dr Linda Spedding highlights some of the key issues to be aware of when starting to do business in India.

This free note explains the contracting out procedure when a landlord is granting a new lease of business premises and wants to exclude the security of tenure provisions of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 that could otherwise protect the tenant at the end of the lease.

This free document goes in detail through the matters you need to consider when entering into a Joint Venture.

It is designed to work with our documents such as the Heads of Agreement but it will be useful to anyone drawing up such an agreement from ContractStore or elsewhere.

This free document goes in detail through the matters you need to consider when drawing up a Shareholder's Agreement.

It fits closely with our Shareholder's Agreement contract template but it will be useful to anyone drawing up such an agreement from ContractStore or elsewhere.

Summary note on the main requirements of the EU Regulations concerning the appointment of a Commercial Agent, as adopted by the UK Government.

This free document summarises the UK legislation which requires contracts for construction operations to contain certain terms including those relating to payment, suspension and adjudication.  The law was originally passed in 1996 and changes take effect from 1 October 2011.

This is a PDF Pamphlet on Starting a Business - with Legal Tips from ContractStore's legal experts.

It introduces what you need to know for setting up - taxes, company structure, naming your business, and of course the legal documents and info that you need to put in place to establish your company.

This article gives you some tips on doing business in China if you are new to the country. It is written by Xie Rong, a Chinese lawyer. She is a member of the ContractStore legal team who, after several years in a Chinese law firm, has been  based in the UK in recent years.

This article gives you some tips on doing business in the United States if you are new to the country. It is written by Derek Devgun, a United States lawyer.

This free article explores the implications of new legislation allowing employees new rights to ask for unpaid time off for training.

This short Employment Contract Checklist covers the main points you need to make sure you consider when entering into an employer-employee relationship. It is designed to complement our Employment Contract Templates.

This free document is designed for UK use but will be relevant anywhere.

When writing an employment contract it is necessary to take account of the relevant legislation. This free note sets out the basic requirements for employment contracts in the UK. It is designed to assist users of our Employment Contract Templates.

It contains

• a checklist of necessary contract terms
• information on a range of employment related topics

New customers will be asked to register to download this document - click Add to Basket and follow the links.

"Force Majeure" means "greater force". Force majeure clauses are used in some European legal systems to excuse a party from liability if some unforseen event beyond the control of that party prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract.

Force majeure clauses generally apply to natural disasters or other "Acts of God", war, or the failure of third parties - such as suppliers and subcontractors - to meet their obligations.

This free download explores the issues surrounding the use of such clauses in a contract.

In a transaction with no foreign element involved it will not usually be necessary to specify the system of law which is to govern the transaction or the courts which are to have jurisdiction in the event of a dispute.  However, where any one or more of the following foreign elements are involved in a transaction, the parties would be well advised to consider governing law and jurisdiction issues.

This Free download gives guidance on Governing Law and Jurisdiction clauses and usage.

Users of contract templates with an international element will benefit from this guidance. These can include our Chinese Contracts, US documents, Agents and Distributor Agreements, and any others with cross-border application.

This document is designed to assist someone who is embarking on a home build project, whether a small extension or a new house on a greenfield site.

The guidance notes include hints and tips on the terms that you need to consider including in your contracts with builders, tradesmen and suppliers.

These Guidance Notes should be read with our Home Builder contracts: B151, B152, B153 and B154.
 

This free guidance document provides detailed notes on the legal entity of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) established in the UK by the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000.

All our contract templates contain blank spaces.  This free document contains some hints on filling in those blank spaces and using our documents.

Bear in mind that different countries have different rules, so if in doubt check with a local lawyer before finalising the contract. Or you can ask us to help - see Legal Services for more details.

We also have info in this video.

This article deals with the risks for companies that are required to provide on-demand bonds in support of contracts in the international market and offers some suggestions on how to mitigate those risks. It is written by ContractStore's founder, Giles Dixon and Georg Goesswein, a German lawyer. 

This free 24-page document, supplied to ContractStore by Cantium Consulting Ltd will help you with the preparation of a Business Plan.

Written by Andrew Bradley of Cantium Consulting Limited, this free guidance document is in PDF format. It covers the basics for deciding what company structure to use and takes you through the processes needed when running a limited company.

Our Business Structures section contains the useful contract templates you'll need to set up a business.

The Builder's Business Pack contains a collection of useful advice and contract templates to help you in your business as a builder or construction contractor. The pack represents great value, as the contents cost a lot more when purchased separately, and we've picked relevant supporting documents to help and give guidance as well.

This consultant's business pack contains a collection of legal documents and statements for use when setting up a website to supply consultancy services as well as various helpful guidance documents for someone setting up a new business. The pack is suitable for a wide range of consulting businesses.

This online retailer's business pack contains a collection of legal documents and statements for use when setting up an e-commerce website to sell goods online as well as various helpful guidance documents for someone setting up a new business.