02/09/2026
Commercial Contract Myths That Leave Businesses Exposed
❌ MYTH: A standard template contract downloaded online is good enough
✅ REALITY: Generic contracts rarely reflect your actual business relationship, your sector's specific risks, or current UK law. They often contain gaps that are exploited in disputes.
❌ MYTH: If the other side has signed, the contract is enforceable
✅ REALITY: Contracts can be unenforceable if they contain unfair terms, lack consideration, or were signed under duress. Signing is the start, not the end, of the legal analysis.
❌ MYTH: We've always traded on a handshake with this supplier, we don't need a contract
✅ REALITY: Long-standing relationships are the ones most likely to cause disputes when they break down, precisely because nothing was ever formalised. A contract protects both sides.
❌ MYTH: Our website terms and conditions aren't that important
✅ REALITY: Your T&Cs are a contract with every customer. Poorly drafted terms can expose you to liability, limit your ability to recover debts, and breach consumer protection law.
The truth about commercial law: The businesses that avoid costly disputes are the ones that get the paperwork right in the first place.
Our Corporate & Commercial team reviews, drafts, and future-proofs your contracts.
Speak to our team today.
