Contract Terms Checklist

As you may know, a legally binding contract requires several necessary elements: offer, acceptance, parties who have the legal capacity to contract (minors under 18 years old and people who are mentally incompetent do not have the legal capacity to enter into contracts), lawful subject matter, mutuality of agreement, valuable consideration, mutuality of obligation, and, in many cases, a writing. Here we will focus on what provisions are necessary when forming a written contract.

Although all contracts are different, there are certain contract terms that are commonly included in business contracts. Not all of these provisions will be included in every contract, and most contracts will include additional provisions that relate specifically to their particular subject matter.

Common Types of Business Contracts

There are several common types of business contracts that people enter into every day. These include sales-related contracts like a bill of sale or warranty. There are also employment contracts such as consulting agreements and non-compete clauses. There are also leases, joint venture agreements and more.

The following checklist serves as a general guide to what provisions may be important to include, or at least consider, in the business contracts that you enter into.

Please note that the following checklist is provided for informational purposes only and is intended to be used as a guide prior to consultation with an attorney familiar with your specific legal situation. This checklist should not be considered a substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you require legal advice, you should seek the services of an attorney.

Contract Terms Checklist

Identity of the parties

Individuals or business entities?
If businesses, what type? (partnership, corporation, etc.)
Name of person signing on behalf of the business
Signer's official title
Does he or she have authority to bind the business?

Addresses of the parties

Purpose(s) of the contract

Underlying assumptions

Contract terms

In general
Duties of each party
Rights of each party
Relevant dates
Relevant prices or other dollar amounts
Relevant quantities
Payment terms
Lump sum, COD, installments?
Payment due dates
Taxes
Interest
Late fees

Warranties

Disclaimers

Limitations on liability

Liquidated damages

Confidentiality provision

Indemnification agreement

Default

Arbitration clause

Governing law

Venue of lawsuits involving the contract

Statement that contract constitutes entire agreement

Severability of individual provisions

Signatures of authorized signatories

Notarization

Check FindLaw's Contract Law and Drafting Contracts Sections for Additional Articles and Resources

When Will a Promise or Statement Be Considered a Binding Contract?;
What Is the Most Common Legal Remedy for a Breach of Contract?;
Do All Construction Contracts Have to Be in Writing?

Learn More About Contract Terms by Speaking to an Attorney

While it's important that you understand the terms and conditions included in any contract you draft or sign onto, sometimes it takes the expertise of a legal professional to interpret contractual language into plain English. A misused or misspelled word, for example, has the potential to entirely change the meaning of a contract. Reach out to a local contracts attorney to learn more about drafting and interpreting your business's contracts.