What you are agreeing to.
WHAT CONTRACTS TYPICALLY CONTAIN
Scope of work Rates and how they apply Payment terms Liability and indemnity provisions Insurance requirements Safety and compliance obligations Local content obligations Termination Dispute resolution
WHAT TO EXAMINE MOST CAREFULLY
Indemnity provisions Liability limits Payment terms Scope definition
WHY INDEMNITIES
They allocate responsibility for harm and loss, and they can be substantial.
WHAT A MUTUAL INDEMNITY ARRANGEMENT MEANS
Each party bears responsibility for its own people and property, regardless of fault.
WHY IT IS COMMON
It avoids disputes about fault in a hazardous environment.
WHAT IT REQUIRES
Insurance matching what you have accepted.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That your insurance covers the obligations you are assuming.
WHY
Uninsured contractual liability is an existential exposure.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT SCOPE
Precisely what is included and excluded.
WHY
Scope ambiguity produces unpaid work in a sector where variations are heavily controlled.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT VARIATIONS
How they are instructed, priced and approved.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Perform additional work without written instruction.
WHY
It will not be paid.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT PAYMENT
Invoicing requirements Approval process Payment period What documentation must accompany invoices
WHY DOCUMENTATION
Invoices lacking required documentation are not processed and payment is delayed indefinitely.
WHAT TO HAVE REVIEWED
Any substantial contract, by a solicitor experienced in the sector.
