Tricks, Not Treats: The Frightening Cost of Weak Terms

Make sure your contracts are full of treats, not tricks.

In business, not all tricks are playful, and the ones hidden in weak or vague contracts can cost far more than a bag of Halloween sweets.

At first glance, a contract might look harmless: a friendly agreement, a good price, a straightforward deal. But buried in the small print, there can be clauses that twist meanings, blur responsibilities, or quietly shift risk onto you. And when things go wrong, those “little details” can turn into very big problems.

This Halloween, let’s take a look at some of the most common contractual tricks and how to turn them into treats instead...

Trick 1: The Shape-Shifting Price

Ever signed a deal thinking the price was fixed, only to find it creeping up later?

A weak pricing clause can be one of the most expensive tricks in business. Without clear wording on how and when prices can change, you might face “revised” rates, hidden extras, or unexplained increases.

How to turn it into a treat:

• Define your price clearly - including what’s included (and what’s not).

• Specify when price changes can happen, and what triggers them.

• Make sure your payment terms match your cash flow and expectations.

• A few extra lines in your contract now can save you a frightening bill later.

Trick 2: The Vanishing Deliverables

A contract that says “the supplier will provide services as required” sounds flexible, but it’s actually a nightmare waiting to happen.

Without a clear description of deliverables, timeframes, or quality standards, you may find yourself arguing over what was promised, what was delivered, and whose to blame.

How to turn it into a treat:

Attach a detailed schedule or scope of work that spells out deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria. The more precise you are upfront, the less chance of things going bump in the night later.

Trick 3: The Haunted Dispute Clause

When things go wrong, weak dispute clauses can make matters worse.

If your contract doesn’t say how disputes will be resolved, where, and under what law, you could face costly, time-consuming battles, possibly even in another country.

How to turn it into a treat:

Include a clear dispute resolution clause that sets out the process (for example, mediation before litigation) and confirms which law governs the contract. A simple clause can save months of stress and thousands in legal fees.

Trick 4: The Hidden Liability Trap

Many businesses don’t spot liability clauses until it’s too late, and by then, the damage is done.

A one-sided clause might severely limit the other party’s liability while leaving yours wide open. If things go wrong, that imbalance can be financially terrifying.

How to turn it into a treat:

Check that liability caps are fair and proportionate. If you’re accepting risk, make sure it’s one your business can genuinely handle. Fair doesn’t mean scary; it means balanced.

The Moral of the Story

Strong contracts aren’t about endless pages of legalese; they’re about clarity, balance, and protection.

A well-drafted contract builds trust, prevents misunderstandings, and helps both parties focus on what really matters: doing great business together.

Weak terms, on the other hand, can drain time, money, and energy long after the ink has dried.

Final Thought

At Lawpoint, we help businesses take the fear out of contracts. We translate complex terms into plain English, make sure the risks are clear, and ensure your agreements reflect how your business actually works.

Don’t let your contracts play tricks on you. Call 01202 729 444 or email info@law-point.co.uk to chat about how we can help make your terms watertight and full of treats, not tricks.