Spotlight on Commercial Contract Work

How Prettys deliver strategic legal support across a range of contract matters

Over the past 12 months, our team have been privileged to support clients in a variety of complex and commercially significant contract matters across a wide spectrum of industries and sectors, demonstrating our versatility and sectoral reach.  Our work has included advising clients involved in the food and drink, logistics, energy, retail, data protection, equestrian and healthcare sectors, and the subject matter of contracts ranges from sale and distribution of goods through to the provision of services and products including, software and IT services.

Another area of focus has been advising clients on the termination of legacy agreements and agreements which no longer align with their current business needs or market conditions.  In today’s challenging economic climate, long-term contracts entered into just a few years ago may no longer deliver the value originally expected of them or may even hinder operational agility.  Rather than remaining locked into unfavourable arrangements, we work closely with clients to negotiate exits which are as clean as possible, with the aim of reducing risk exposure and allowing businesses to refocus resources on more strategic and value-driven initiatives. This work shows the importance of regular contract reviews.  Whilst contracts can rarely be entirely future proofed, it also presents a strong case for building flexibility into contracts at the outset as part of ensuring that their terms are right and appropriate.  

As is to be expected given the pace and emphasis of technology innovation, advising on technology related contracts has formed a significant part of our work. This trend reflects the growing reliance on digital infrastructure across all sectors, as well as an increased focus on cost effective innovation and automation within businesses.  Our work in this area has included supporting clients in moving their IT solutions from one service provider to another as well as supporting other clients in launching their own technology solutions with legal confidence.  We are regularly instructed to draft and advise on a wide range of technology focused agreements, including master services agreements, SaaS contracts, software licence terms, and the supporting policy documentation required to ensure compliance and protect intellectual property.

With a growing focus for businesses on ensuring they operate as streamline as possible to ensure viability, we have spent time assisting clients in their own internal restructuring by drafting and advising on intra-group shared services agreements. 

In the current climate of rising costs, supply chain disruption, and broader contractual and economic uncertainty, particularly around tariffs, it is more important than ever for commercial contracts to be well drafted and offer robust protection and clear terms for all parties involved.  This in our experience, is particularly the case for recipients of contract services where the practice of providers offering contracts which are significantly unbalanced in their allocation of legal and commercial risk and economic fairness is, if anything, increasing.   

Contact Us

Our team is experienced, responsive, and committed to delivering practical, commercial, business-focused legal advice. For further information or to discuss a potential matter, please contact Sarah Lewis (slewis@prettys.co.uk) or any member of our Corporate and Commercial Team.