Download this free Supplier Contracts Checklist to ensure your contracts will meet your business\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\nDownload Now<\/a> <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n Always invest in getting an experienced lawyer to draft a contract tailored to your business and to prevent what could go wrong \u2013 this investment is small compared to the cost if things go wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A written contract can prevent disputes in several ways, as we will explore below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By documenting precisely what products and services you are delivering, you can easily reference and remember the terms of your legally binding agreement. Where contracts are agreed orally but not documented in writing, the parties could forget what they originally agreed to. Over time, this could lead to misunderstandings and disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Agreeing on things verbally could result in convoluted arguments with your customer. For example, imagine you promised to deliver 100 units of products to a customer on the phone and did so. However, a few weeks later, the customer forgets your conversation and calls you up, saying they thought you would deliver 150 units. If you had a clear written contract, you could send it to the customer and direct them to the clause stating how many units you agreed to deliver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By having a written contract, you can clearly and precisely scope out your services and the level of service you will be providing. Mismatched customer expectations can be extremely difficult in practice \u2013 so you should use your contract to expressly lay out what you promise to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, imagine you are agreeing to write website pages for your customer\u2019s new website. How many pages will you draft? How many redrafts will you work on once the customer has approved the first draft? What happens if the customer tells you what they want initially but then changes their mind later? Can you charge for the extra work, and how long will it take? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Documenting your agreement will reduce the chance of a dispute \u2013 as you can set out all details about your services, charges and timeframes for delivery. Customers will have less room to argue with you if you can point to specific contractual clauses to support your position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Often, a well-drafted written contract will include specific clauses to help you minimise the chance of disputes escalating and going to court. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a written contract can help prevent disputes by:<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Written Contracts Prevent Disputes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Written Contracts Create Certainty and Avoid Misunderstandings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Written Contracts Can Help Resolve Problems Before They Escalate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A business contract<\/a> is one of your business’s most important legal documents. It sets out legal terms designed to help protect you when things go wrong<\/a>. You should carefully draft yours to cover your specific products and services and regularly update them as your business changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t use a written contract, you expose your business to high risk and various problems. For example, your customer may misunderstand what you have promised to provide or complain about the delivery of your products and services.<\/p>\n\n\n ![\"Front](\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/03024102\/LegalVision_UK-Supplier-Contracts-Checklist.jpg\")
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