QUICK ANSWER
A contract review is more useful when the lawyer understands the commercial result, the non-negotiable terms and the consequences of delay. Identify your decision and risk tolerance before discussing individual clauses.
Key takeaways
- Use the latest complete agreement.
- Explain the commercial result you need.
- Mark deadlines and non-negotiable terms.
Explain the deal in plain language
Describe what each party will provide, when money or value changes hands and what success looks like. Identify relationships or dependencies that may not appear clearly in the draft.
Tell the lawyer which terms matter most commercially. A review can then distinguish legal risk from a commercial compromise you are prepared to make.
Control the document set
Send the latest draft with schedules, policies and incorporated documents. Explain who prepared it and identify any comments or agreed changes that are not yet reflected.
- Current editable draft and all schedules
- Earlier agreed changes or term sheet
- Key dates, approval steps and signing authority
- Relevant insurance, licences or technical requirements
Define the review output
Ask whether you will receive a marked-up document, written risk summary, negotiation points or a call. Confirm whether tax, employment, privacy or industry-specific advice is outside scope.
Before signing, make sure responsibility for final changes and execution is clear. Keep the signed version and any notices required after commencement.
TURN PREPARATION INTO A USEFUL SEARCH
Find providers connected to this guide.
Browse published services, then confirm the individual’s experience, availability, scope and fees directly.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Useful answers before you start.
Can the lawyer review only one clause?
Possibly, but surrounding terms may affect its meaning. Define the limited question and ask what assumptions the lawyer must make.
What if the other party says the contract is standard?
Standard wording can still allocate significant risk. Ask which terms matter for your transaction and intended use.
Should I ask for a fixed fee?
You can ask whether the scope is suitable for a fixed fee and what would trigger additional work.