Contract clause guides
The clauses that decide who pays when something goes wrong, explained in plain English — with sample wording, the red flags to watch for, and what to ask for instead. Free to read, no account needed.
Contracts in everyday life
First job, freelance work, internships, renting, brand deals — the agreements people sign before they ever meet a lawyer.
How to read your first job offer or employment contract
A plain-English walkthrough of your first employment contract: pay, hours, probation, notice, non-competes and IP. What each section really means and what to ask before you sign.
How to read a freelance or contractor agreement
Scope, payment terms, revisions, IP and kill fees explained in plain English for freelancers and contractors — with sample clauses and the red flags that lead to unpaid work.
How to read an internship agreement
What an internship agreement should say about pay, hours, learning outcomes, IP and certificates — and the clauses that turn an internship into unpaid labour.
How to read a rental or lease agreement
Deposits, notice periods, repairs, rent increases and inspection rights explained in plain English for first-time renters, with red flags and what to photograph before you move in.
How to read a brand deal or sponsorship contract as a creator
Deliverables, usage rights, exclusivity, approval and payment explained in plain English for creators and influencers — plus the clauses that quietly cost you future income.
Clause by clause
The individual clauses that decide who pays when something goes wrong.
What is an indemnity clause?
An indemnity clause decides who pays when something goes wrong. Learn what indemnification means, see one-sided vs. mutual sample language, and spot the red flags before you sign.
What is force majeure in a contract?
Force majeure excuses performance when something extraordinary and outside your control makes it impossible. Learn when it applies, when it does not, and how to read the clause.
How to review an NDA in 10 minutes
A practical, ordered checklist for reviewing a non-disclosure agreement: definition of confidential information, term, carve-outs, residuals, return of materials, and the traps to catch.
Limitation of liability clauses explained
How liability caps work, what direct and consequential damages mean, which carve-outs are standard, and how to tell whether a cap actually protects you.
Termination clauses: notice, cause, and convenience
How contracts end: termination for convenience, for cause, cure periods, notice requirements, and the obligations that survive after the contract is over.
What is a non-compete clause, and is it enforceable?
What a non-compete actually restricts, how courts assess reasonableness, how it differs from a non-solicit, and what to negotiate before you sign one.
Governing law and jurisdiction clauses
Governing law decides which rules interpret your contract; jurisdiction decides where disputes are heard. Why the difference matters and how to read the boilerplate at the end.
Auto-renewal clauses and how to spot them
Evergreen and auto-renewal clauses lock you into another term unless you cancel inside a narrow window. How they work, where they hide, and how to stay in control.
Payment terms and late-fee clauses
Net 30, late interest, set-off, disputed invoices, and suspension rights — how payment clauses work and which details decide whether you get paid on time.
Confidentiality clause vs. NDA: what's the difference?
An NDA is a standalone contract; a confidentiality clause sits inside a bigger one. What changes in practice, which to use when, and how the two interact.
What is an arbitration clause?
An arbitration clause sends disputes to a private arbitrator instead of court. Learn what binding arbitration means, when it helps, when it hurts, and what to check before you agree.
Who owns the work? IP ownership clauses explained
Intellectual property clauses decide who owns code, designs, inventions, and content created under a contract. Learn work-for-hire vs. licence, background IP traps, and what freelancers must check.
Warranties and representations: what are you promising?
Warranties and representations are factual promises in a contract. Learn the difference, what 'as is' disclaimers do, how long warranties last, and which promises to push back on.
What is an exclusivity clause?
An exclusivity clause restricts who you can work with or sell to. Learn the difference between exclusive dealing and non-competes, how scope and duration change everything, and when to say no.
What is an assignment clause?
An assignment clause controls whether a contract can be handed to someone else. Learn why 'no assignment without consent' matters, the change-of-control loophole, and what affiliates language does.
What is a liquidated damages clause?
A liquidated damages clause pre-agrees the money owed if something goes wrong — late delivery, a breach, an early exit. Learn when these clauses are enforceable, the penalty rule, and fair numbers.
The entire agreement clause: why emails and promises don't count
The entire agreement clause says only the written contract counts — sales promises, emails, and side chats are legally erased. Learn what it wipes out, its fraud exception, and how to protect yourself.
What is a severability clause?
A severability clause keeps the rest of a contract alive if one part is struck down. Learn what it does, the 'blue pencil' idea, and the one situation where it cannot save the deal.
The notice clause: the small print that decides if you were told
The notice clause defines how official messages — termination, breach, renewal — must be sent. Send it wrong and your notice may not count. Learn what to check and the email question.
Data protection clauses: what happens to personal data?
When a vendor handles personal data for you, the contract must say how. Learn what a DPA is, controller vs. processor, breach notification windows, and the clauses regulators expect to see.
Indemnity vs. liability cap: which one wins?
Contracts often cap liability, then carve indemnities out of the cap — quietly creating unlimited exposure. Learn how the two clauses interact and how to read them together.
What is a breach of contract notice?
A breach notice is the formal warning that a contract has been broken. Learn what it must contain, what a cure period is, what to do if you receive one, and when to send one yourself.
Looking for a single term instead? Try the plain-English legal glossary.