UK Contract Law: Plain English Guides

Practical guides to UK contract clauses — written for employees reviewing job offers, freelancers dealing with client agreements, and founders navigating commercial contracts.

Not legal advice. For educational purposes only.

Filter: All Employment Freelance Commercial Startups
Employment 6 min read

What Is a Non-Compete Clause? A UK Employee's Guide

Non-compete clauses are among the most contested provisions in UK employment contracts. Here is what they mean, when they are enforceable, and what to do before you sign.

Freelance 7 min read

Seven Contract Red Flags Every UK Freelancer Should Know

Client contracts often contain clauses that expose freelancers to significant risk. Here are the seven provisions most likely to cause problems.

Employment 8 min read

UK Employment Contract Checklist: 10 Clauses to Review

A practical checklist of the ten contract clauses most likely to affect UK employees — what to look for and what should concern you.

Commercial 6 min read

What Is an Indemnity Clause? A Plain English Guide

Indemnity clauses are among the most financially significant provisions in any UK contract. This guide explains what they mean and how to negotiate them.

Employment 7 min read

How to Negotiate Your Employment Contract in the UK

Employment contracts are more negotiable than most people realise. This guide explains what to push back on and how to frame requests professionally.

Employment 5 min read

Garden Leave UK: Your Rights and What the Clause Means

Garden leave allows employers to keep employees away from work during notice. This guide explains your rights and how it interacts with non-competes.

Commercial 6 min read

IP Assignment Clauses UK: Who Owns What You Create?

IP assignment clauses determine who owns the intellectual property you create during employment or as a contractor. This guide explains the UK rules.

Commercial 5 min read

Force Majeure Clauses UK: What They Cover and When They Apply

Force majeure clauses excuse performance in extraordinary circumstances — but their scope varies enormously. This guide explains what your clause must say.

Commercial 6 min read

NDA Guide UK: What Non-Disclosure Agreements Actually Mean

NDAs are among the most commonly signed contracts in UK business — and among the least understood. This guide explains what to check before signing.

Startups 7 min read

Five Contract Mistakes UK Startup Founders Make

Early-stage contracts shape a company's future in ways that are difficult to unpick later. Here are the five most consequential mistakes and how to avoid them.

Contractor · IR35

IR35 Contract Clauses: What to Check Before You Sign

IR35 status depends heavily on the wording of your contract. Here are the specific clauses HMRC scrutinises — substitution, control, mutuality — and what to do if yours fall the wrong side of the line.

May 2025 · 7 min read
Employment

Settlement Agreement Clauses Explained: A UK Employee's Guide

Settlement agreements are legally binding and waive your right to bring employment claims. Before you sign, here is what each clause actually means — and what you can negotiate.

May 2025 · 8 min read
Commercial · SME

Commercial Contract Checklist UK: 12 Clauses to Review Before Signing

Before signing a commercial contract in the UK, check these 12 clauses. Each one carries specific legal risk that is easy to overlook — and expensive to discover after the fact.

May 2025 · 8 min read
Contractor · Employment

Contractor vs Employee Contract: Key Differences in UK Law

Contractor and employee contracts look similar but carry very different rights and risks. Here is what actually differs — and why the label on the contract is not determinative.

May 2025 · 7 min read
Employment

Zero Hours Contracts: Your Rights Under UK Law

Zero hours workers have more rights than many realise — including the statutory ban on exclusivity clauses. Here is what the law says and what your contract should not include.

May 2025 · 6 min read

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