Contract for the supply of services (pro-customer)

Standalone contract for the supply of services between businesses, both of whom are within the UK, governed by English law and drafted generally for the benefit of the client/customer.

Read more

When do I use this document?

  • Use if you are a regular business client/customer for services
  • and or/ where both the client/customer and supplier are based in the UK
  • If you want a contract prepared more for the benefit of the client/customer than the supplier

What are the key features?

  • cover sheet and Appendix to be completed with details of supplier, customer, services, commencement date, fees and other additional terms
  • Schedule of contract terms, with 22 paragraphs over 9 pages
  • provisions relating to commencement date and duration, fees and payment
  • enhanced obligations from the supplier regarding the services to be provided
  • mutual exclusions and liability limitation clauses
  • mutual force majeure clause

What else do I need to know?

A business which contracts as customer with service providers on a regular basis may wish to do so on the basis of a standalone supply contract rather than using its own, or the supplier’s standard Terms and Conditions.

What terms are implied in contracts for the provision of services?

Unlike a contract for the sale of goods, relatively few terms are implied in a contract for the supply of services.

The principal applicable statute is the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (“SGSA”).  This implies the following terms in a B2B contract for the supply of services:

  • reasonable care and skill: that the supplier will carry out the services with reasonable care and skill
  • time for performance: if the contract is not fixed by the contract, left to be fixed in a manner agreed by the contract or determined by the course of dealing between the parties, that the supplier will carry out the service within a reasonable time
  • consideration: if the price for the services is not fixed by the contract, left to be fixed in a manner agreed by the contract or determined by the course of dealing between the parties, that the customer will pay a reasonable charge for the services

Can the SGSA implied terms be excluded or restricted?

Yes, under the SGSA and subject to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (“UCTA”), the terms implied by the SGSA can be excluded or varied by the contract itself, by the course of dealing between the parties or by usage.

In practical terms, the only implied term which is likely to be relevant is the implied term to use reasonable skill and care – the subject matter of the other implied terms is likely to be covered by the express terms of the contract.

Often, a customer’s own form of supply contract terms and conditions will in any event include an express term which extends the implied term of reasonable care and skill.  For example, the customer might include a term that the service provider will provide the services diligently and in accordance with best practice of the profession, trade or industry of the service provider.

Exclusion clauses

Generally, exclusion clauses and liability limitation clauses in contracts for the supply of services are subject to the requirements of UCTA and are discussed in more details in

What other documents are available?

For a form of standalone contract for the supply of services which is more for the benefit of the supplier, see

When do I use this document?

  • to sub-divide issued shares into a larger number of shares
  • to consolidated issued shares into a smaller number of shares
  • typically, on closing of an investment transaction or in connection with an issue of new shares
  • if the resolution is to be approved at a general meeting, in conjunction with our template general meeting notice Shareholder meeting notice

What are the key features?

  • ordinary resolution to be passed as a written resolution
  • alternative forms of the resolution depending on whether the issued shares are being sub-divided or consolidated

What else do I need to know?

A private limited company can alter its share capital in various ways, including:

  • sub-division: sub-dividing issued shares into shares of a smaller nominal amount
  • consolidation: consolidating issued shares into shares of a larger nominal amount

Other types of share capital alteration include the allotment of new shares, reduction of capital, redemption or purchase of own shares and converting issued shares into shares of a different class.

Why would a company sub-divide shares?

Companies are often incorporated with a small number of ordinary shares.  If the company plans to issue new shares, such as during an investment round, it may need to sub-divide the existing shares so that the numbers and percentages align with the investment terms.

For example, a company incorporated with 2 shares of £1.00 each will need to sub-divide them if it receives investment for 20% of the enlarged share capital. 

To achieve the correct percentage shareholdings, one way of doing this would be to sub-divide the existing 2 shares of £1.00 each into 4 shares of £.0.50 each.  The investor could then subscribe for 1 share of £0.50 and would own 1 out of the 5 shares in total, equal to 20% of the enlarged share capital.

Another idea would be to sub-divide the existing shares into a much smaller nominal share value as this will facilitate future shares issues and share transfers.  

How does a company sub-divide its shares?

Sub-dividing shares requires an ordinary resolution of shareholders unless the Articles of Association exclude or restrict this.  If such exclusions or restrictions exist, the Articles must be amended by special resolution to disapply the exclusion or restriction.  After passing the ordinary resolution, the company will need to file Companies House Form SH02 within one month.

Why would a company consolidate shares?

Share consolidation is the reverse of sub-division, where a specified number of existing shares are consolidated into a single share or fewer shares.

Private limited companies are less likely to carry out a consolidation than a public company, which may do this to increase its traded share price or perhaps to reduce the number of shareholders on its register.

If a private company wished to consolidate its share capital, this requires an ordinary resolution of shareholders, unless the Articles of Association exclude or restrict this right.  After passing the ordinary resolution, the company will need to file Companies House Form SH02 within one month.

Explanatory Guides

As with all of our document templates, your purchase will include access to clear explanatory guidance on the document and its use.

Updated by a lawyer on 04/11/2025

Create your document in 3 Easy Steps
Amanda | Bannister Creative
“It’s hard to find legal documents on the internet you can really trust. Knowing an expert lawyer has drafted what I need, gives my business the edge and gives me peace of mind.”
Elle, Founder | Winslow skincare & aesthetics.
“As an SME Paperrock saves us the legal fees we’ve previously had to spend. In these challenging times that's a big help. Great products and support.”
Giles, MD | Boniti Ltd.
Shopping Basket

Sample available