Most disputes we're asked to resolve started with a contract that was never properly reviewed. Someone signed a lease, a supply agreement, or an employment contract because it "looked standard," and by the time a problem shows up, the clause that would have protected them is either missing or written in the other party's favour.
What a lawyer checks
A review compares the written terms with the deal and identifies risks that may be easy to miss:
- Whether the written obligations match what the parties agreed verbally
- Termination clauses: who can end the agreement and under what conditions
- Penalty and indemnity clauses that could expose you to costs beyond the contract value
- Dispute resolution clauses, whether disagreements go to arbitration, mediation, or court, and where
- Whether the other party is legally who they claim to be (a registered company, a verified landlord, etc.)
A review before signing typically costs a fraction of what it costs to unwind a bad contract afterward.
When it matters most
Contract review is especially worth doing for property leases, supplier and vendor agreements, employment contracts for key staff, partnership and shareholder agreements, and any contract involving payment in instalments or performance milestones. These are the categories where vague wording causes the most expensive disputes.
What to do before you sign anything
If a contract is ready for signature, have it reviewed first. Advice before signing can cost less, in time and money, than resolving a dispute later.
Get a contract reviewed