Legal contract review checklist
Using a checklist helps to ensure that contract reviews, conclusions and recommendations are reported in a consistent manner. This contract review checklist for use during legal due diligence records the review of contracts provided during the due diligence process.
Read more
When do I use this document?
- as a template for the review of different types of contract provided during due diligence
- to help achieve a consistent approach to the contract review and reporting process
- to enable conclusions and recommendations from contract reviews to be presented in a common format
What are the key features?
- checklist to be completed by the reviewer of a legal contract
- introductory section, requiring completion of forms including:
- name of reviewer
- purpose of review
- document name
- key issues arising
- recommended action(s)
- tabular checklist of contract terms to be reviewed and completed by the reviewer, including comments arising
What else do I need to know?
A legal contract review checklist will help achieve a consistent approach to the due diligence review and reporting process. The investor and its advisers may adapt a common document review checklist for use by the reviewers of documents. The review results and any recommended actions can then be presented in a consistent manner.
Legal due diligence is likely to involve the review of a number of legal agreements or other legal documents relevant to the subject of the transaction.
For an investment transaction, the subject company will have entered into numerous contracts dealing with different topics and activities, including:
- purchase and sale of goods
- acquisition of assets
- provision of services
- leasing of property and equipment
- development/licensing of intellectual property
- loans and other finance
- employment contracts
- agreement with the company’s founders and shareholders
When do I use this document?
- for the appointment of an individual to provide consulting services through a service company
- for a fixed term appointment or an appointment terminable on notice
What are the key features?
- 24 clauses over 16 pages
- time-based appointment for a fixed term, terminable by notice by either client or consultant
- service performance obligations on the consultant company, including for performance of the services by the named individual
- consulting fees on the basis of time spent at an agreed contractual rate
- ownership of intellectual property rights arising from the services
- status of the consultant as an independent contractor
- early termination for breach and other circumstances
What else do I need to know?
Often, this type of Consultancy Agreement is also accompanied by a letter from the named individual to the client. This will contain undertakings from the individual directly to the client covering the following:
- that the individual owns the service company and will continue to do so
- that the individual will be employed by the service company by the individual
- that the client will own intellectual property rights in materials/work product generated by the individual
- that the individual will be responsible for the service company’s performance of the consultancy agreement
We have a form of this side letter available – see
What other documents are available?
For a form of consultancy for a service company on a project basis, see
For forms of consultancy agreement with an individual consultant, see
Related Articles
£25.00 exc VAT
Updated by a lawyer on 02/07/2025
- Updated By a lawyer on
- Guidance notes included
- No hidden extras
- Easily customisable
Create your document in 3 Easy Steps
- Download
- Customise
- Share & Sign
PaperRock offers affordable, legal document templates, written by experienced and expert lawyers, trusted by businesses across the UK and beyond. No hidden charges or trial sign-ups are required to complete your document.
“I have worked in legal and business affairs for over 25 years and need access to a wide range of corporate and commercial legal precedents. Paperrock is a refreshing source of high-quality legal templates. Superb value for money.”
Amanda | Bannister Creative
£25.00 exc VAT
- Written by expert lawyers
- Quick to download
- Easy to customise
- No hidden extras
- free re-downloads
“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.
