The contracts toolkit
Using the Contract builder
What it can be used for
There are two main uses:
- Helping you prepare a proposed contract to send to someone you are dealing with such as a buyer, gallery, or commissioner.
- Helping you react to a contract which has been prepared by someone you are dealing with.
Preparing a contract yourself
- First, you should read through the Contract builder templates carefully together with all the accompanying notes and glossary and other explanatory material. This will probably raise a number of questions (for example about what to, and what not to, include, how to cover any other points that you have agreed, and any queries about the wording) which you should make a note of for future reference.
- Work through the Contract builder to produce a first draft contract.
- Print out this draft contract.
- Identify any queries and additional terms and (if possible) note these within the document.
- Compare the draft contract with any correspondence or other matters you may have discussed already with the other party to the contract.
- Consult a solicitor or other expert who is familiar with the type of contract before you send it out. They will help you check the wording of any difficult clauses and help you ensure that the contract adequately protects your interests.
Reacting to a contract prepared by someone else
- Use the Contract builder template to compare with the draft contract you have received.
- Identify any discrepancies you think are important.
- Using (where possible) the wording from the Contract builder templates, add or amend the wording as necessary.
- Consult a solicitor or other expert who is familiar with the type of contract you are dealing with before you send out the revisions. They will help you check the wording of any difficult clauses and help you ensure that the contract adequately protects your interests.