Commercial Contracts
When it comes to contracts, you want a legal service that is responsive and helps drive your business forward. We'll ensure you get the small print right to save you time, costs and help to avoid disputes.
What is involved with commercial contracts?
When it comes to contracts, you want a legal service that is responsive and helps drive your business forward. Getting the small print right will save you time, reduce costs and avoid disputes. This is where our experienced team of lawyers can help.
We are used to advising on all forms of commercial contracts in a range of sectors, from highly complex outsourcing, I.T. and logistics contracts, to drafting standard terms and conditions focused on the risks and issues key to your industry, to providing training to empower your personnel and reduce legal spend. Whatever you need, our focus is to get the best deal for you.
We have extensive experience acting for clients from FTSE 100 companies to SMEs and start-up businesses and know the importance of getting it right the first time. We can help you with preparation and negotiation of all kinds of commercial agreements.
"The team were a well-oiled machine. They were incredibly organised and had great time management. They also maintain thorough and regular communication throughout the entire project. They were on top of all the key legal and commercial issues that a complex deal could face."
The Legal 500, 2023
Contact our contracts team:
Why choose our commercial expertise?
- We are renowned as “business people first and lawyers second” – we understand that contracts should be there to help your business, not slow you down
- We have a team of over 60 specialist lawyers, which ensures that we have a detailed knowledge of your sector and the commercial and regulatory pressures that shape it
- We work with you to understand your business and ensure we can add real value and be more than just legal advisers
- We avoid the costs of lengthy legal debates by avoiding overly drawn-out negotiations and concentrating on what is important to your business
- Our commercial clients include Aldi, Experian, National Express, Tarmac and Travis Perkins
How we can help you
By coupling an in-depth knowledge of your sector with outstanding legal expertise we can help you reach your objectives quickly and efficiently while adding value to your business. We always look to tailor our advice to your needs to provide the level of service and support you require at a price that is acceptable to you.
Our friendly and responsive lawyers offer a full spectrum of specialisms across a variety of sectors including manufacturing, retail, leisure and financial services.
As well as commercial agreements, our team’s expertise includes advising on the law relating to partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Bribery Act 2010, the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), Information Technology/cloud licensing, supply and procurement, Data Protection and the GDPR, franchising and providing company secretarial services such as company formations and annual compliance.
Notable work
- Drafting and negotiating a suite of ten commercial agreements for the UK element of a multi-billion pound corporate divestment. This included agreements for the supply and purchase of raw materials and transitional service arrangements covering I.T., insurance and accounting services and international software licences.
- Commercial contracts to govern media and advertising services, including internet search optimisation services and social media.
- Advising a Building Society on a restructuring programme involving large scale redundancies and variation to terms and conditions of employment.
- Acted for Tarmac in advising on an NEC3 contract for major highways works in London in collaboration with Transport for London. This work involved due diligence on complex construction documentation and reporting on the client's risk profile and suggesting commercial alternative drafting.
- Redrafting the standard terms and conditions of sale for a multi-billion pound supply company, then helping them to roll them out both to customers and to the front-line sales personnel. This included the provision of guidance notes and the completion of twelve separate training sessions around the country.
- Advising on a wide variety of contracts including, energy, IT, outsourcing, plant and materials, hire, PR, cleaning, stationery and office supplies, PR and Marketing, print and packaging, Apps, e-commerce, franchise, warehousing and logistics, waste management, gaming equipment and bet in play TV etc.
- Recent examples include acting on a multi-million pound haulage contract, supply agreements and agreements for the outsourcing of soft and hard services.
- Acting for a supply chain services company on the contracts for provision of warehouse and distribution services for a major fashion retailer and a leading cosmetics brand.
- Preparing the contract on behalf of a top six supermarket with a national parcels carrier for domestic business to consumer delivery and collection services within the UK, including support on negotiation and service level agreement issues.
- Advising airports on concessions, tenders, and commercial arrangements including contracts specific to airport operators.
Testimonials
JN
"I have worked with Philippa and her team on numerous occasions covering commercial, trademark and business contracts all within the retail sector."
Jo Newton, Former Managing Director of Lisa Stickley plc and owner of Newton Network
GdG
“Nigel (Gardner) has been a most valued and trusted adviser through the growth of our business for over 15 years. We always get clear, practical as...
Gino de Gol, Managing Director RoboCoaster Limited
"The team were a well-oiled machine. They were incredibly organised and had great time management. They also maintain thorough and regular communic...
The Legal 500, 2023
"Team is well placed to advise on a wide range of commercial contracts. We have received good solid commercial advice in desired timescales. Thorou...
The Legal 500, 2023
"Very commercially strong team, with the ability to put options on the table in the language and scenario required by business owners."
The Legal 500, 2023
"The team provides a tailored service, and where I particular value them is their ability to understand what I am trying to achieve – they then fin...
The Legal 500, 2023
Meet the team
Philippa Dempster
Senior Partner & London Office Managing Partner
Chris Freeston
Nottingham Office Managing Partner & National Head of Banking & Finance
Rebecca Howlett
Commercial Partner & Head of Freeths' Virtual Legal Team
Nathan Holden
Partner & Head of Local Government
Jackie Heeds
Partner & Joint Lead of Major Projects
Rena Magdani
Partner & National Head of Employment, Pensions & Immigration
Jessica Matthews
Managing Associate
Jaskeerat Sanghera
Managing Associate
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Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
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