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Online business owners face numerous hurdles in complying with UK law. Often, these legal requirements can be a complex and document-heavy exercise. For this reason, many UK business owners obtain expert legal assistance with their documentation. This article will explore the main benefits of using an expert lawyer to draft documents for your online business, so you can determine whether it is a worthwhile investment.
Important of Document Wording
Legal documents usually act as a safety net. On initial viewing, legal documentation exists to demonstrate what your business may do in certain circumstances. Sor example, a website terms of use policy will detail situations in which your organisation may ban users from its webpage.
However, legal documents can also be the primary reference for future legal action. For example, let us say that your website has a marketplace terms and conditions policy for third-party sellers, and you enter into a legal dispute with them over an alleged breach. The policy’s wording will be vital as to whether a Court will rule that the document is binding and has legal effect.
Poorly Drafted Documents
Poorly drafted legal documents and business contracts can negatively affect your business. Of course, this will depend on how poor and inaccurate the document in question is.
However, if the contract drafting is inferior, the contract may be invalid. An invalid document does not offer your business legal protection. Moreover, it may mean that your company fails to comply with UK law.
Now we know the benefits of good drafting, let us explore three benefits of using a lawyer to draft legal documents for your online business.
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1. Tailoring Documents
Two different websites can require two very different versions of a legal document. For example, eBay and Amazon have numerous differences in privacy and website user documentation to reflect how their websites work.
Contrary to popular belief, lawyers refrain from using template documents and lightly manipulating them for their business clients. Instead, expert lawyers will tailor the contents of legal documents to suit the relevant organisation. Doing so will make the document much more effective for your business and, importantly, legally binding.
2. Expertise in Ensuring Legal Enforceability
Clients often ask lawyers why it is crucial to ensure a document’s full legal enforceability. Put simply, drafting a legal document without confidence that it is enforceable undermines the value of the entire contract.
Accordingly, a well-drafted legal document can protect and promote your commercial interests. However, this is only possible if the document is legally enforceable. A document that lacks enforceability lacks commercial value.
3. Good Language and Professional Appearance
Online businesses tend to display legal documents on their website. Therefore, like other content on your website, you should ensure it looks professional and contains good grammar and spelling.
It is also helpful to draft legal documents in a manner that is easy to understand and absent unnecessary legalese. Sometimes the use of small sections of legal jargon is unavoidable. Nevertheless, it is crucial to ensure that individuals can understand the purpose and legal issues tackled within the document.
Key Takeaways
Having accurate and up-to-date legal documentation is vital to ensuring good legal compliance in the UK. While some documents are more straightforward than others, it is common for online business owners to obtain expert legal advice to ensure their legal contracts deliver on their purpose. Having a lawyer draft a bespoke document can be well worth the cost investment when set against the negative consequences of inaccurate or non-binding wording.
If you need help putting relevant legal documentation in place for your UK online business, our experienced e-commerce and online business lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from the odd exception, it is rarely mandatory for a business to instruct a lawyer concerning a legal document or written contract. However, since most business documents relate to high sums, it is often worth the financial outlay to ensure the paper achieves its purpose.
Yes, most contract disputes will settle without a hearing where the relevant document is legally drafted. This is because that business has more chance of convincing the other party that the document is fully effective and legally binding.
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