Protect the deal. Protect the business.
A contract should make it easier to trade, not create uncertainty every time something changes. Clear terms protect payment, performance, intellectual property, confidential information and the route out if the relationship stops working. We draft and negotiate commercial contracts around the way your business actually supplies, buys, licences or delivers its products and services.
Our commercial solicitors advise businesses across the South West from offices in Exeter, Plymouth, Plymstock, Torpoint and Tavistock.
Commercial
Personal
- Administration of Estates
- Adoption
- Appeals before the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
- Applications to join British or settled residents
- Applying for British citizenship
- Applying for Probate
- Buy to let
- Buying a home
- Changing Your Name
- Civil Partnerships
- cohabitation agreements
- Contentious probate
- Conveyancing
- Court of Protection
- Disputes involving children
- Divorce
- Domestic abuse
- Employment law
- Equity release
- Family Law
- Financial Remedy Proceedings
- Financial settlements
- First registration
- Human Rights applications
- Immigration law
- Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Inheritance Disputes
- Inheritance tax planning
- Landlord and tenant
- Lease extensions
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Managing a trust
- Military Hearing Loss
- Powers of Attorney
- Prenuptial agreements
- Remortgaging
- Selling your home
- Seperation agreements
- Setting up a Trust
- Transfer of Equity
- Unmarried Couples
- Visitor visas to the UK
- Wills, trust and probate
- Work visas and sponsorship
- Writing a Will
Commercial
- Can you explain the new inheritance tax laws to me?
- What is commercial litigation?
- What do I do about tenants sub-letting?
- How many specialities does your team have?
- How long have you been practising in this field?
- What are the laws on paternity leave?
- Can you help me decide on insolvency for my company?
- Will my trademark stand in EMEA?
- How long does a merger take?
- How do I protect myself from negligence?
- I have a question on property litigation
Personal
- What time should I allow for conveyancing?
- How are assets split in a divorce?
- I think I was unfairly dismissed - can you help?
- What are your main Family Law services?
- Immigration laws have changed - help!
- My landlord has just sold the property - what are my rights?
- I've been served an eviction notice - please help!
- My neighbour is claiming my land - who is right?
- I have tinitus from army service - can I get compensation?
- Can you adivise on probate?
Deal with the difficult scenarios before they happen
Most commercial relationships begin with optimism. Problems arise when the contract is silent on delayed delivery, changing scope, poor performance, price increases, ownership of work or termination. We identify the risks that matter to the transaction and allocate them clearly, helping your team understand what it can promise, what it must do and how to respond when circumstances change.
How we can
help you
We prepare, review and negotiate terms and conditions, supply and purchase agreements, service contracts, framework agreements, agency and distribution agreements, licensing arrangements, confidentiality agreements, outsourcing contracts, collaboration terms and online business agreements. We also help update contract suites, improve approval processes and resolve questions arising under existing agreements.
Why choose CWC Solicitors
Commercial contracts need to be legally robust and usable by the people selling, buying and delivering the work. We avoid unnecessary complexity, explain the effect of proposed terms and focus negotiation on risk that is commercially significant. Our team works with businesses of different sizes and sectors, adapting the contract and the process to the value and importance of the relationship.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure or need something explained in more detail? Contact us, and we’ll guide you through it.
1. When should a solicitor review a commercial contract?
A review is particularly valuable before signing a high-value, long-term, unusual or business-critical agreement. Advice should also be taken where the other party has supplied its terms, liability is uncapped, intellectual property is important, personal data is involved or the contract is difficult to terminate.
2. Can terms and conditions be incorporated by referring to them on a quote or invoice?
They may be, but incorporation depends on when and how the terms were brought to the other party’s attention and whether competing terms were exchanged. Relying only on a link or invoice can create uncertainty. The contracting process should make clear which terms apply before the agreement is concluded.
3. What should a commercial contract say about payment?
It should cover price, VAT, invoicing, payment dates, disputed invoices, interest, set-off and any right to suspend work for non-payment. Where fees depend on milestones, usage, volume or changing scope, the calculation and approval process should be objective and easy to administer.
4. How should liability be limited in commercial contracts?
The contract can allocate risk through exclusions, financial caps, insurance requirements, warranties and indemnities. The appropriate position depends on the value of the agreement, the likely losses and each party’s ability to control the risk. Some liabilities cannot be excluded, and limitations must be drafted carefully to be effective.
5. Who owns intellectual property created under a services contract?
Ownership depends on the contract and the legal position applying to the work. The agreement should distinguish pre-existing intellectual property from material created for the project, specify any assignment or licence and cover third-party materials. It should also state what each party may use after termination.
6. What is the difference between termination for breach and termination for convenience?
Termination for breach applies when specified contractual failures occur, often after a remedy period. Termination for convenience allows a party to end the contract without breach, usually on notice. The agreement should address outstanding payments, work in progress, return of information and continuing obligations after termination.
7. Do commercial contracts need clauses about data protection and confidentiality?
They often do, particularly where confidential business information or personal data will be shared. The contract should define permitted use, security, disclosure, return or deletion and responsibility for breaches. Data-processing terms may also be required depending on each party’s role and the services provided.
8. Can CWC create a standard contract suite for repeated use?
Yes. We can review how the business sells or purchases, identify recurring risks and prepare templates, schedules, order forms and guidance for different transaction types. We can also help establish approval thresholds and fallback positions so the commercial team knows when a variation requires legal review.
Related services
Joint ventures
Collaborations often depend on supporting supply, service, licensing and confidentiality arrangements. We make sure the operational contracts reflect the wider joint venture agreement.
Mergers and acquisitions
Key contracts can affect value, risk and continuity in a transaction. We review change-of-control, assignment, termination and liability provisions during due diligence and completion planning.
LET'S TALK
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