Consultancy agreements

Creating a consultancy agreement that brings clarity and eliminates uncertainty At a glance

• A consultancy agreement sets out the terms under which a consultant or self-employed contractor will work for you.
• A properly drafted consultancy agreement can save problems later if there is a dispute.
• Our specialist employment solicitors can produce a consultancy agreement that meets your exact needs.

Using an external consultant or self-employed contractor is often more cost-effective than employing full-time staff, and gives you greater flexibility. However, although you don’t need a full employment contract to use a consultant, it is wise to have a consultancy agreement, between you and the consultant.

The agreement will regulate all aspects of the relationship, such as hours, pay and the employment status. By setting out the specific terms, it can help to settle any disputes, and gives you the opportunity to include clauses for aspects such as confidentiality and performance targets. It can also be used to help demonstrate to HMRC that the person is a consultant and not an employee; there is a very different legal distinction.

We can draft a consultancy agreement for you, either as a bespoke version for a specific consultant or project, or as a template which you can use again in the future. Please contact us, so we can discuss your needs.