Contract review and specialist advice

Understand what you are signing before it becomes your obligation.

Contracts presented to you are written by the other side to protect the other side. Before you sign, you need to know what you are agreeing to — not just the headline terms, but the liability clauses, the termination rights, the restraints, and the provisions that only matter when something goes wrong. Specialist contract review gives you that understanding before you are bound.

What is contract review advice and why does it matter?

Every commercial contract presented to you has been drafted by the other side to protect the other side. Contract review advice is the process of having a specialist lawyer analyse a document before you sign it — identifying the liability clauses, termination rights, restraints, and provisions that only matter when something goes wrong. Understanding what you are agreeing to before you are bound by it is the most cost-effective legal investment most businesses make.

What types of contracts do you review?

We review a wide range of commercial contracts including supply agreements, service agreements, distribution and reseller agreements, licence agreements, joint venture agreements, franchise agreements, procurement contracts, shareholder agreements, and employment contracts for senior executives. If you have a contract of any kind that you need to understand before signing, we can help.

How long does a contract review take?

Turnaround depends on the length and complexity of the contract and your timeline. For most commercial contracts of standard length, we can provide written advice within two to five business days of receiving the document and your instructions. If you have a tight deadline, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate it.

What is the difference between a contract review and a contract negotiation?

A contract review involves reading and analysing the document and advising you on its terms and risks. A contract negotiation involves actively working with the other party to change the terms. The two often go together: we review first to identify what needs to change, then assist you in negotiating amendments. We can advise on both.

Can I negotiate a contract if the other party says it is non-negotiable?

Sometimes, but it depends on the commercial relationship and the nature of the contract. Large corporates with standard-form supplier agreements often resist changes. However, it is usually worth identifying the provisions that are most important to you and raising them, even in a contract presented as standard. Knowing which terms to prioritise and how to frame the request is something we can advise on.
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Know your obligations

Full review of the contract before you are bound by it.

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Risks identified early

Understand the liability exposure, termination rights, and onerous clauses before you sign.

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Negotiate from knowledge

Advice on what is worth raising with the other party and how to approach it.

Get your contract reviewed before you commit.

Talk to ADLV Law today for a no-obligation discussion.

The terms you did not read are still enforceable.

Contracts presented by the other side are designed to protect the other side. Liability caps, indemnities, IP ownership, termination without cause, and automatic renewal clauses are common provisions that significantly affect your position but are easy to miss in a long document. Signing without understanding these terms does not make them unenforceable — it just means you agreed to them without realising it.

When you have a contract in front of you and need to understand it before signing

You are about to enter a significant commercial arrangement and the other side has provided their standard contract. It may be for a major supply relationship, a service agreement, a licence, a joint venture, or a complex procurement. The document runs to dozens of pages and the commercial terms look acceptable — but you are not confident you understand the full legal picture. You want someone to read it carefully, identify the issues that matter, and tell you clearly what you are agreeing to.

What's included in your contract review service

The contract you did not fully read is the one that comes back to cost you.

Most contract disputes do not arise from terms that were hidden. They arise from terms that were in the document, read quickly, and not fully understood before signing. A liability cap that prevents you recovering your actual loss. A termination clause that allows the other party to exit without cause or compensation. An IP assignment that transfers ownership of work you created. These provisions are enforceable regardless of whether you noticed them. By the time you need to rely on the contract, it is too late to change what it says.

From an unreviewed contract to a clear-eyed commitment

We read the contract with the same attention the other side’s lawyers put into drafting it. We identify the provisions that affect your position most significantly, explain what they mean in practical terms, and advise on what is worth raising with the other party. The goal is not to create friction — it is to ensure that when you sign, you know exactly what you have agreed to and have had the opportunity to push back on anything that is unreasonable.
Your contract review roadmap.

From document received to an informed decision.

1

Document and context

You provide the contract and background on the commercial arrangement so we understand what you are trying to achieve.

2

Review and advice

We review the contract in full and provide written advice on the key terms, risks, and any provisions we recommend raising with the other party.

3

Negotiation support

If amendments are needed, we prepare proposed changes and support you through the negotiation.

Commercial lawyers with extensive experience reviewing a wide range of complex contracts across multiple industries.

We know that commercial contracts are often time-sensitive and that the pressure to sign quickly can work against careful review. We also know that the cost of a properly reviewed contract is a fraction of the cost of a dispute that could have been avoided. Our team reviews complex commercial contracts regularly and knows exactly what to look for.
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We understand you want to know the cost, before we get started.

We will map out our process, from beginning to end, so you know what the journey will look like before you get started.

We will provide you with a clear and detailed Work Proposal covering each step along the way.

Our fair fees are all-inclusive. No hidden costs for telephone calls, emails, photocopying, couriers, or coffee.

Our great lawyer guarantee

We want to be part of your team over the long term. We achieve this by adhering to these core principles:

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Take the time

We listen carefully to understand what you want to achieve. Then we thoroughly explain our advice and step you through the documents. You can be sure you know the full consequences.

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Share our knowledge

We will pass on as much knowledge as we can, so you can make your own informed decisions. We want to make you truly independent.

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Stick to our knitting

We only do what we're good at. You can be confident that we know what we're doing and don't pass on the cost of our learning.

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Work as one team

Someone will always be available to answer your questions, or point you in the right direction. You will also benefit from a range of perspectives and experience.

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Fair pricing

For advice and documents, we provide a fixed or capped quote so you don't take price risk. If you're in a dispute, we map out the process and costs so you know what to expect.

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It's your show

We're not in this for our egos. We're in it for a front row seat to witness your success.

Get your contract reviewed before you commit.

Contracts presented to you are written by the other side to protect the other side. Before you sign, you need to know what you are agreeing to — not just the headline terms, but the liability clauses, the termination rights, the restraints, and the provisions that only matter when something goes wrong. Specialist contract review gives you that understanding before you are bound.

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