Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts can be a daunting task, fraught with difficulties and potential pitfalls. Mistakes or oversights can lead to costly disputes and legal complications, making it crucial to approach the task with care and caution.
The ICAEW Library & Information Service can help by providing ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users with an array of invaluable resources, including model agreements and contract clauses. These resources are intended to help you to navigate the intricacies of this complex area with confidence, and draft clear, robust, and legally sound contracts that are suited to your needs.
Model agreements and contract clauses from our third-party databases
The ICAEW Library subscribes to specialist databases which provide regularly updated model contracts and clauses. Below are examples of documents we can email to ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users.
Template agreements for the sale and supply of goods and services
A wide range of precedent contracts for the supply of goods and services, covering individual-to-business, business-to-business, and business-to-consumer transactions. Some are tailored for particular service types, such as bookkeeping, VAT, and company secretarial.
Model contract clauses
An extensive collection of model contract clauses covering a wide range of issues. Clauses available include an anti-tax evasion facilitation clause, a limitation of liability clause, and a number of audit clauses.
Template sub-contractor agreements
Model agreements for use in cases in which a contractor party under a main contract wishes to sub-contract some or all of its obligations to a sub-contractor.
Template partnership agreements
Various model partnership agreements, including an accountants’ partnership agreement, and a solicitors’ partnership agreement.
Template joint venture agreements and shareholders’ agreement
A number of precedent agreements for the establishment and operation of particular kinds of joint venture companies, as well as a model shareholders’ agreement.
Template agency agreements
Precedent contract models for appointing an agent, or an authorised dealer/retailer.
Contact the Library enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or email library@icaew.com to request documents or get help with research. The service is free for ICAEW members, ACA students and other permitted users.
eBooks
The Library & Information Service also provides access to a number of eBooks covering commercial contracts as a benefit of membership. Some of these include model documents. Please log in to access these titles. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive
Joint ventures and shareholders' agreements
A guide to the law and practice in this core area of corporate law surrounding joint ventures and shareholders' agreements. Includes a number of template documents, including a shareholders’ agreement, an international joint venture agreement, and a support agreement.
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Commercial contracts: a practical guide to standard terms
Provides commentary on the law surrounding commercial agreements, and presents a number of precedent contracts. The authors take into account the latest developments in UK commercial law.
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Business law
A guide to the legal principles that apply to business, aimed at non-law students. Includes extensive references to cases and legislation, such as the Companies Act 2006, the Sale of Goods Act 1979, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
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Primer on negotiating corporate purchase contracts, A
Designed to help buyers with negotiations.
Books in the ICAEW Library collection
In addition to the above resources, the collection of the ICAEW
Library & Information Service includes a range of print books which cover commercial contracts. Some of these contain model documents. Recent titles available to borrow from the Library include:
Negotiating software contracts, 6th ed.
This book provides an overview of the key issues one ought to consider when negotiating and drafting software licences, and of the UK law around other computer contracts.
The law of contract, 10th ed.
A concise overview of the fundamentals of contract law, its underlying rationales, and associated academic debates. The author breaks complex problems down into manageable steps, and provides self-test questions at the end of each chapter.
A-Z of contract clauses
Book compiling ready-to-use contract clauses, copyright and other intellectual property rights, and further definitions and terms.
Drafting commercial agreements
Provides a range of flexible and adaptable precedents to help you draw up contracts accurately and efficiently. Precedents include both exclusive and non-exclusive distribution agreements, equipment leasing master agreements, a non-disclosure agreement that can be put in place before contact negotiations begin and an agreement between two parties to develop a product.
Further titles
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.
Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service
Eligible firms have free access to Bloomsbury Professional's comprehensive online library, comprising around 80 titles from some of the country's leading tax and accounting subject matter experts. Find out who is eligible and how you can access the Accounting and Tax Service.
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Contract
Chapter on contracts in this reference guide for accountants faced with an unfamiliar legal problem or query.
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Contract: terms of engagement
A chapter on the relevance of contract law to tax professionals, looking at issues such as typical terms of business, terms of a contract and breach of contract.
Disclaimer
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