Contract Law For Non Lawyers

Overview:

Introduction:

By deciphering complex concepts into manageable terms, this workshop provides non-lawyers with a foundation in contract law. Participants will gain a basic understanding of contract formation, negotiations, potential pitfalls, contract content including exemptions and terms as well as ending contracts and contract terminations and breaches.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Understand contractual terms and their impact on the business
• Explore key elements of commercial contracts
• Analyze commercial risks and opportunities in terms of your own business environment
• Be able to propose appropriate means to mitigate risks
• Discover how to review third-party contracts effectively
• Learn how to identify areas that require specialist legal advice or Board-level approval
• Find out how to use internal or external legal resources more effectively

Targeted Audience:

• While this course would especially benefit those who come into contact with contracts, it is for anybody wanting to gain a basic understanding of contract law.

Course Outlines:

Unit 1: 

• Objectives for today - setting out our objectives for delegates and their benefit to your business
• A Memory Game - get those grey cells working!
• Exercise: Buying a commodity
• Consequences of Confusion - the pain of getting it wrong

Unit 2: 

• Defining Commercial Relationships - the fundamental markers
• Exercise: Define a typical deal for your business
• Exercise: Which legal terms define each area of the relationship?

Unit 3: 

• Who Does What When?

- Vendor Responsibilities
- The importance of clear specifications and change control
- Purchaser Responsibilities
- Delivery
- Intellectual Property
- The importance of timing

• When Does Payment Occur?

- Defining Milestones
- Good Acceptance Criteria
- Readiness for Invoicing
- Taxes and other payment headaches

Unit 4: 

• Exercise: Comparing vendor and purchaser acceptance provisions
• What Happens if Things Go Wrong?

- Warranties and warranty remedies
- Limiting liability
- Indemnities
- Confidentiality
- Liquidated Damages
- Applicable law and dispute resolution
- Termination
- Survival provisions

Unit 5: 

• Exercise: Comparing vendor and purchaser warranty provisions
• Exercise: Finding your way around a contract
• Recap: Review of key contract components
• Review of Objectives
• Introduction to Online Training Resources