The clause that costs you money
It's usually in the text you skimmed that the clause sits which later costs you money. A penalty that applies only to you. The other side's right to terminate at any time. An auto-renewal nobody remembers.
I never sign a serious document on the day I first see it. The most expensive mistakes happen when “it's all clear, why wait”.
What you'll get
- A short conclusion: sign it, sign with edits, or better not to sign.
- A list of risks in plain words, most important first.
- Tracked-change edits you can send straight to the other side.
- An explanation of how to respond if the other side doesn't agree.
What I look at
| Section | What I look for |
|---|---|
| Subject | Whether what you do and what you get is described precisely |
| Payment | Deadlines, VAT, exchange rate, late-payment fines |
| Liability | Whether it's the same for both sides |
| Termination | Who can exit the contract and how |
| Intellectual property | Who owns the work product |
| Disputes | Where and under which law you'd litigate |
When a review is especially needed
A big client has sent its contract. A landlord has handed you a “standard” three-year lease. An investor has sent a term sheet. A foreign partner is offering a contract in English under their country's law. In cases like these an hour of a lawyer's time is cheaper than any mistake. If you have many contracts, a legal retainer works out better.
How it works
Your part: the contract and your questions about it. The rest of the arrows are mine.
Civil Code of Ukraine, Articles 626–654 (general provisions on contracts), Articles 549–552 (penalties); Commercial Code of Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions about contract review
How much does a contract review cost?
From €150. It depends on the length and language of the contract.
How fast?
A typical contract from 1 day. Urgent reviews can be arranged.
Can you review a contract in English?
Yes. I explain the risks in Ukrainian or English and make the edits in English.
What if the other side refuses the edits?
We decide which edits are critical and which you can let go. Sometimes it's better not to sign at all.
If there's no contract yet and one needs writing, see contract drafting. For IT contractors there's a separate developer agreement.