Clause library
What every UK contract clause actually means
Every contract is built from clauses. Look one up to see what it does, the UK law behind it, what a fair version looks like, and what to question before you sign.
General information about UK law, not legal advice.
Employment contracts
Garden leave clauseEmploymentA garden leave clause keeps you paid but off work during notice. When it is enforceable in the UK, how it affects a non-compete, and what to check.Indemnity clauseEmploymentService agreementNDAAn indemnity clause is a promise to cover someone else's losses. It is not the same as ordinary damages, and for freelancers it is rarely capped by statute.Limitation of liability clauseEmploymentService agreementNDAA limitation of liability clause caps what you can be made to pay. Worked examples in pounds, per-claim vs aggregate caps, and what UK law never lets you cap.Non-compete clauseEmploymentService agreementA non-compete clause stops you working for competitors after a contract ends. In the UK it only binds you if it is reasonable in scope, duration and area.Non-solicitation clauseEmploymentService agreementClients who approach you first are usually fine. A non-solicitation clause bans the first move; only a stricter non-dealing clause goes further.Restrictive covenant examplesEmploymentService agreement12 restrictive covenant examples from UK contracts, each marked enforceable, borderline or unenforceable, with the case or statute behind the verdict.Restrictive covenantsEmploymentService agreementRestrictive covenants are the clauses that limit what you can do after a contract ends. In the UK they are void unless reasonable and no wider than necessary.Termination clauseEmploymentService agreementEmployees have a statutory notice floor, a week per year of service, capped at 12 weeks. Freelancers have none, only what the contract says.
Service agreements
Dispute resolution clauseService agreementEmploymentNDAA dispute resolution clause sets how, where and under which law a disagreement gets settled. The main types, and what to check before you sign.Entire agreement clauseService agreementEmploymentNDAAn entire agreement clause makes the signed document the whole deal. Emails, calls and proposals stop counting unless written into it or attached.Force majeure clauseService agreementA force majeure clause excuses a party when events outside their control stop performance. Under English law it works only if written in, and is read strictly.IP assignment clauseService agreementEmploymentAn IP assignment clause decides who owns the work you create. In the UK a freelancer owns it by default, so the assignment is what transfers ownership to a client.Payment terms clauseService agreementA payment terms clause sets when, how and how much you get paid. In the UK the Late Payment Act gives freelancers a statutory backstop for interest on late invoices.
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