For copywriters

Contracts for copywriters

A UK copywriter needs a signed freelance copywriting agreement before the brief starts: deliverables, (use, territory, duration, exclusivity), revision rounds, , , credit, and who warrants claims in the copy. Commissioning copy does not transfer copyright. CDPA 1988 s.11 makes you first owner; s.90(3) requires a written, signed . Lex drafts that on one shared link.

Last updated 3 November 2026

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Templates copywriters use most

Client workFreelancer agreementA freelancer agreement sets the brief, deliverables, rate, rights and payment terms between a freelancer and a client.Read →Client workServices agreement (MSA)A services agreement sets the standing terms for every project with a client, so each new job needs only a short statement of work.Read →Client workStatement of workA statement of work sets the scope, deliverables, milestones and fees for one project under a wider services agreement.Read →NDAs & IPMutual NDAA mutual NDA lets two businesses share confidential information both ways before a deal, and says what each side can do with it.Read →Client workRetainer agreementA retainer agreement sets a monthly fee for a set amount of your time or availability, and what happens to unused hours.Read →Client workConsulting agreementA consulting agreement sets out advice and expertise you provide to a client, billed by the day, the month or the project.Read →

Which clauses decide a copywriter contract?

Five lines decide most copy jobs: who owns the words, the licence (web, print, ads, term), how many revision rounds sit in the fee, the kill fee, and the deposit. Write them in a freelancer agreement or services agreement before first drafts. Lex puts them on one paper the client signs from a link.

The clauses that usually decide a UK freelance copywriting job. Assignment of copyright must be in writing, signed — CDPA 1988 s.90(3).
ClauseWhat it doesTypical freelance line
IP and licenceWho owns the finals, unused lines and swipe files.Licence of named uses on full payment; assignment only if written, signed.
Usage rightsWhere, how long, and how exclusively they can use the copy.Named channels (web, print, paid ads), territory and term; perpetual or exclusive costs more.
RevisionsCaps rounds so “until we like it” is not the deal.Two consolidated rounds on the agreed brief; a new brief is quoted first.
Kill feeMoney due if the client cancels.Work done plus a set percentage of the remaining fee.
DepositMoney before work starts.30–50% on signature; work does not start until it lands.

What contract does a copywriter need?

Start from a freelancer agreement or a services agreement. There is no copywriting-only template yet; those two are the closest papers. They fix the brief, word counts, revision rounds, the fee, the deposit, cancellation, and whether the client gets a licence or an assignment of copyright. Repeat clients often sit under a services agreement plus a statement of work. A monthly content slot sits on a retainer. Strategy-heavy work can start from a consulting agreement. If you are sharing unpublished copy before the deal is signed, a mutual NDA sits next to it. Lex drafts from one sentence; the client signs from one link.

Who owns commissioned copy under UK copyright law?

You do, unless you assign it. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 s.11 makes the author the first owner of copyright in a freelance literary work. Commissioning the words does not move that. Section 90(3) says an assignment is not effective unless it is in writing, signed. Paying an invoice does not move ownership. Write a licence or an assignment on full payment, and keep swipe files and earlier lines as pre-existing materials. See who owns freelance work.

Should you licence the copy or assign it?

Licence unless they are paying for a buyout. A licence names use, territory, duration and whether it is exclusive — web, print, paid ads, or a named campaign. An exclusive licence still leaves copyright with you. An assignment moves copyright, in writing, signed, usually on full payment. “All media, worldwide, in perpetuity” is a buyout price, not a default. A US “” heading does not do that work in England and Wales. See IP licence vs assignment and usage rights and credit.

How should the brief, deliverables and revision rounds be written?

Name the pieces, the channels, the word counts and how many rounds sit in the fee. “Website copy” is not a list. “Home, about, five service pages, 150–250 words each, two consolidated rounds on the agreed brief” is a list. A round is one packed set of comments, not a drip of Slack notes. A new audience, a new offer or a second campaign is a change of brief, quoted first. The revision limit is the line that stops “until we like it”.

What should the kill fee and deposit say?

A deposit of 30–50% on signature, with work paused until it lands. A kill fee if they cancel: work done plus a set share of the remaining fee. There is no default UK right to keep a deposit; both sides have to agree it. Write the sums in the paper. See client cancels: can you keep the deposit?.

How should portfolio, credit, claims and AI-tool use work?

Write a portfolio licence after launch and the credit line you want. cannot be assigned; they can be waived in writing, signed (CDPA 1988 s.87). The client warrants facts, prices and testimonials they supply. You warrant originality and reasonable care and skill — not that their claims are true. If they want to know whether ChatGPT or Claude drafted the copy, write that disclosure as a contractual line; it is not a CDPA rule. See warranties, moral rights and publicity and portfolio use. If they publish unpaid work, see client using work without paying.

Frequently asked questions

What contract does a copywriter need?

A freelance copywriting agreement covering the brief, deliverables, licence (use, territory, duration, exclusivity), revision rounds, deposit, kill fee, credit and who warrants claims in the copy. There is no copywriting-only template yet; start from the freelancer agreement or the services agreement.

Does commissioning copy transfer copyright to the client?

No. CDPA 1988 s.11 makes you the first owner of a freelance literary work. The client gets only the licence the contract grants, unless you assign copyright in writing, signed, under s.90(3).

Do I own the copy until I am paid?

Yes, unless you already assigned copyright in writing, signed. Paying an invoice does not move ownership. Write assignment or licence on full payment, and that unpaid work stays yours.

Should I licence the copy or assign copyright?

Licence unless they are paying for a buyout. A campaign licence names web, print, ads, territory and term. An assignment transfers copyright, in writing, signed. Wider, longer or perpetual use costs more.

Can I keep the deposit if the client cancels?

Only if both sides agreed a deposit or kill fee. There is no default UK right to keep money described as a deposit after the fact. Write the sum, when it is due, and what happens on cancellation.

Can my client sign without creating an account?

Yes. You share one link, the client reads the agreement in Plain English, agrees and signs. It is free for them.

Sources

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The legal wording governsLast reviewed 3 November 2026Pending lawyer review