Proportionality.
WHEN AN EMAIL IS ENOUGH
Small, one-off work A straightforward sale Where the amounts are modest
WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING PROPER
Substantial amounts Ongoing arrangements Anything involving ownership of work Anything with significant risk Partnerships or shared ventures Anything involving premises
WHAT TO CONSIDER
What is at stake if it goes wrong.
Proportion the effort to that.
WHAT TO NEVER SKIP
The scope The price and payment terms Who owns what What happens if it ends
WHERE TO GET AN AGREEMENT
A lawyer, for anything significant A reputable template, adapted and reviewed A trade association, for some sectors
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Templates from unknown sources Templates written for another country Anything you have not read
WHAT TO DO
Take advice once, on the kind of agreement you use repeatedly.
Then reuse it.
That is a one-off cost with continuing value.
