🇬🇧 England and Wales · Client work
A consulting agreement drafted under the law of England and Wales. Below: what it is usually called here, what the legislation says, and the governing-law clause this draft prints.
In England and Wales this is usually called a consultancy agreement.
Lex drafts it in Plain English beside the legal wording. Share one link; both sides agree and sign.
'Consultancy agreement' is the usual UK name. Because the work is advice, the reliance and liability wording matters more than in a delivery contract, and UCTA's reasonableness test applies to how far negligence liability is limited.
Liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence cannot be excluded or restricted by a contract term; other negligence liability can be limited only so far as the term is reasonable. Consumer contracts are carved out to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, whose s.31 lists liabilities a trader cannot exclude in contracts for goods.
Source: Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, s.2Checked 7 October 2026Pending lawyer review
Statutory interest on late payment of commercial debts is set by order under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998; gov.uk states the rate as 8% plus the Bank of England base rate.
Source: Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, s.6; gov.uk guidanceChecked 7 October 2026Pending lawyer review
In England and Wales, an electronic signature is admissible in evidence on any question about the authenticity or integrity of a communication or data.
Source: Electronic Communications Act 2000, s.7Checked 7 October 2026Pending lawyer review
More on England and Wales: how contracts work in England and Wales.
This agreement and any dispute arising out of or in connection with it are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.
In Plain English: if there is a dispute, the law of England and Wales decides what the contract means, and the named courts hear it. It does not say this is the right choice for you; that depends on where the parties are and what they agree.
Legal wording · example
The Client shall pay [rate] per day, invoiced monthly in arrears, plus reasonable expenses approved in advance in writing.
In Plain English
You bill your days at the end of each month, and the client pays agreed expenses they okayed first.
How this clause works →Legal wording · example
The Consultant shall not disclose the Client's confidential information except to the extent required by law.
In Plain English
You keep the client's information private unless the law makes you share it.
How this clause works →Legal wording · example
The Client is responsible for decisions it takes based on the Services. The Consultant's liability is limited to the fees paid in the [3] months before the claim.
In Plain English
The client decides what to do with your advice; if something goes wrong, your liability is capped.
How this clause works →Legal wording · example
Either party may end this agreement on [30] days' written notice.
Both are understood; 'consultancy agreement' is the more common UK term.
Between businesses, statutory interest is available under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. gov.uk states the rate as 8% plus the Bank of England base rate. A contract can also set its own rate.
Usually, yes. An electronic signature is admissible in evidence (Electronic Communications Act 2000 s.7), and the Law Commission's 2019 report says it is capable of executing a document where the signer intends to authenticate it. A consultancy agreement is commonly a simple contract, not a deed, so no witness is needed.
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