A clear contract helps prevent disputes. Many problems arise from terms that were not read carefully or not fully understood before signing.
Key points to check
- The parties: are they correctly identified, and is the signatory authorised to sign?
- The subject: is it clearly described what is being provided, sold or offered?
- Price and payments: the amount, deadlines and method of payment.
- Duration: when the contract starts, how long it lasts and how it ends.
- Each party’s obligations and the consequences of non-performance.
- Penalties, guarantees and limitations of liability.
- Conditions for terminating or amending the contract.
- How disputes will be resolved.
Be careful with vague terms
General or unclear wording can be interpreted differently by each party. If you do not understand a clause, ask for clarification or an amendment before signing, not after a problem arises.
Review by a lawyer
For high-value contracts or those with long-term consequences, such as a property purchase, a commercial lease or an agreement between shareholders, a prior review by a lawyer helps you understand the risks and negotiate more balanced terms.