Avoiding a Legal Fright Night

A quick guide to taming your terrifying terms and conditions.

Contracts and T&Cs aren’t the stuff of ghost stories, but they can still give you a fright if you don’t know what’s lurking inside them.

From “zombie” renewals to vanishing payment clauses, the fine print can hide more than its fair share of tricks. And when those surprises appear, they tend to do so at the worst possible moment, when there’s a dispute, a delay, or a bill that doesn’t look quite right.

The good news? With a little attention (and a torch to shine into the dark corners), you can turn your contracts from creepy to confident.

Here’s a quick checklist of spooky red flags to watch out for and how to exorcise them before they cause chaos:

The Vanishing Payment Terms

If your contract doesn’t clearly say when and how you’ll be paid or what happens if you’re not, you could end up chasing ghosts instead of invoices.

Fix it: Set clear payment dates, specify consequences for late payment, and make sure everything lines up with your invoicing process.

The Never-Ending Contract

Auto-renewals sound convenient until you realise your “12-month deal” has quietly renewed for another year or three.

Fix it: Check renewal and termination clauses before you sign. Make sure you know how to end the contract and when notice needs to be given.

The One-Sided Liability Clause

If your contract limits the other party’s liability to pocket change but leaves yours wide open, that’s a legal fright waiting to happen.

Fix it: Look for balance. Liability should be fair and proportionate on both sides. If it feels lopsided, it probably is.

The Phantom Deliverables

Vague language like “services as required” or “to be agreed” might seem harmless until you discover your idea of “the job” doesn’t match your supplier’s.

Fix it: Always attach a clear scope of work or specification. Spell out exactly what’s included, what’s not, and when delivery happens.

The Curse of the Missing IP

If your supplier creates something for you — a design, a process, a piece of software — make sure you actually own it. Without an IP transfer clause, you may have paid for the work but not the rights.

Fix it: Include a clear intellectual property ownership clause in every agreement involving creative or technical work.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Summon Trouble Later

It’s far easier (and cheaper) to fix your contracts before problems arise than to fight over them later. Regular reviews, clear drafting, and professional guidance keep the monsters at bay.

Final Thought

Contracts shouldn’t be scary; they should help you sleep better at night. A few small changes can turn a confusing, outdated document into a confident one that protects your business and strengthens your relationships.

At Lawpoint, we help businesses tame their terrifying terms and conditions. We’ll review your contracts in plain English, highlight the risks, and help you fix them before they cause any nasty surprises.

Don’t let your contracts give you a fright this Halloween. Call 01202 729 444 or email info@law-point.co.uk to find out how we can make your T&Cs clear, fair, and far less frightening.