Approach to costs
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. always aim to approach
legal work in a financially-disciplined way. We offer
competitive rates. Our charging approach is both transparent
and geared to the options open to our clients. Our
solicitors generally charge by reference to time spent but
we can often agree fixed fees for specific work or in some
cases risk-adjusted funding structures.
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Contracts drafting, negotiation & claims
| Solicitors: contract lawyers: distribution, agency, terms & conditions of business, intellectual propertly licensing, employment contracts: Bristol, London, UK clients: |
Solicitors here draft, explain, advise on, try and improve, document and orchestrate completion of commercial contract documentation. If claims arise, we litigate for our clients on contracts in London & UK regional courts.
A contract is an agreement giving rise to obligations which are enforced or recognised by law. Contracts are more easily enforced if they are clear, unambiguous and carefully expressed in writing. Taking a DIY shortcut now, by agreeing a deal on the back of an envelope, moves things on but may lead to litigation and more expense expense down the line.
Contract law
What is a contract?
A contract is an agreement giving rise to obligations which are recognised or enforceable by law. All manner of commercial agreements may give rise to a contract: the agreement does not have to be in writing. In order to protect your position and reduce the likelihood of disputes you ought to make sure that the terms of any agreement that you are proposing to enter into is in writing and prepared by experienced solicitors.
Why should I seek specialist legal advice?
Whatever the nature of your business and whatever the nature of the agreement which you intend to enter into, you should seek legal advice so that your agreement:
- is in writing, and therefore easy to prove if this becomes necessary;
- is in clear, unequivocal terms, so that instances of dispute can be avoided or more easily resolved;
- is enforceable – our solicitors are aware of the pitfalls that could render a poorly-drafted contract unenforceable which, depending on the value of the contract, could potentially result in the loss of millions of pounds to your business;
- provides for the unexpected – our solicitors can ensure that your contract is skilfully drafted to ensure that when the unexpected occurs, you are not left out-of-pocket;
- protects your position by having been properly negotiated and drafted in terms favourable to you.
| Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. draft, negotiate & explain legal documents of all kinds, and can put together contracts in relation to all manner of commercial transactions, including: terms and conditions of business, intellectual property licensing agreements, agency and distributorship agreements, commercial property contracts agreements for the supply of goods and/or services, contracts of employment, shareholding sale & purchase agreements, asset sale & purchase agreements, assignments of intangible rights, consultancy agreements: commercial relationships of all kinds that impose legal obligations on the parties.
Our solicitors combine technical skill with commercial flair, to provide practical and effective contract work to go towards achieving our clients business objectives.
We know that costs are always a primary concern. We offer clear, up-front scopes of work and proposed costing is so as to help avoid unexpected expense down the line.
Working out of Bristol offices, our cost-disciplined lawyers can supply legal contract work at competitive rates, often at fixed charges, but without compromising on quality.
If you are a business or an individual needing advice on the meaning and effect of the terms of any contract to which you are a party, or into which you intend to enter, or if you need documentation drafted, our lawyers can do the job.
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Commercially-focused scopes of work and proposed costings |
Contract frequently asked questions
What is a contract?
A contract is an agreement giving rise to obligations which are recognised or enforceable by law. All manner of commercial agreements may give rise to a contract: the agreement does not have to be in writing. In order to protect your position and reduce the likelihood of disputes you ought to make sure that the terms of any agreement that you are proposing to enter into is in writing and prepared by experienced solicitors.
Why should I seek specialist legal advice?
Whatever the nature of your business and whatever the nature of the agreement which you intend to enter into, you should seek legal advice so that your agreement:
- is in writing, and therefore easy to prove if this becomes necessary;
- is in clear, unequivocal terms, so that instances of dispute can be avoided or more easily resolved;
- is enforceable – our solicitors are aware of the pitfalls that could render a poorly-drafted contract unenforceable which, depending on the value of the contract, could potentially result in the loss of millions of pounds to your business;
- provides for the unexpected – our solicitors can ensure that your contract is skilfully drafted to ensure that when the unexpected occurs, you are not left out-of-pocket;
- protects your position by having been properly negotiated and drafted in terms favourable to you.
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Contract formation
“The law on formation of contract can be encapsulated in a number of basic propositions:
(1) The test of whether an offer has been accepted is an objective test, namely whether the words or conduct are such as to induce a reasonable person to believe that the person intends to be bound.
(2) As a general rule an offeree who does nothing in relation to an offer is not bound by its terms.
(3) If the offeree has solicited the offer, the agreement that he should not be put to the trouble of rejecting the offer when it is made loses much of its sting.
(4) If there is a course of dealing between the parties, the offeror may be led to suppose that silence amounts to acceptance.
(5) Acceptance can be given by conduct. Where this amounts to a positive act it may well be clear that acceptance has been given, although no words of acceptance have actually been spoken”
Hayes & Others –v- Gallant [2008]
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Fixed charge package with options and recommendations |
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Accessibility
We take instructions from UK & international clients. Our independent lawyers are available by email, telephone & fax. With central Bristol offices we are just 90 minutes from London by road or rail and 15 minutes from Bristol International Airport. We can travel to meetings if required.
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Independent approach
We are an independent professional law firm here, not a legal factory turning out mass-produced products. In our experience, determined case-handling is more likely to produce effective results.
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Turnaround time
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. look to input not only
careful legal work and precision but also the determination
to keep matters moving. They aim to work in clients' real
interests with energy and pragmatism.
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Communication skills
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. always try to open up the
legal process by giving advice and explaining options to
clients in a concise and straightforward way, identifying
clear courses of action whatever the technical or legal
complexities of the subject. |
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