Understanding Contracts

Get to grips with contract terminology and common clauses. Articles explain boilerplate terms, invalid contracts, personal guarantees and what happens when agreements are breached.

Giving a Personal Guarantee

A personal guarantee puts your own finances at risk if someone else can't pay, here's what you need to know before signing.

How to Interpret a Contract

Break down the key elements that make a contract legally binding and how to read one properly.

Invalid Contract Examples

See real examples of situations that aren't legally binding contracts, from unclear terms to missing acceptance.

Legal Terminology or Jargon in Contracts

Contract language can be confusing with legal jargon and Latin terms, so here's a plain-English breakdown of the most common phrases.

Policies and Contracts

Policies guide decision-making but aren't legally binding like contracts, though public bodies may be challenged if they ignore them.

Questionnaire: What to Do When a Contract Is Breached?

When someone breaks a contract, you can demand they fix it, claim damages, or take them to court depending on what your contract says.

Smith vs Hughes: Offer and Acceptance

Smith v Hughes established that sellers aren't required to correct buyers' mistaken assumptions about what they're purchasing.

What Are Boilerplate Clauses?

Standard contract clauses explained: what amendment, assignment, arbitration and other boilerplate terms actually do.