🇬🇧 England and Wales · Client work
A statement of work 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 statement of work (also called a project schedule or work order).
Lex drafts it in Plain English beside the legal wording. Share one link; both sides agree and sign.
In the UK a SOW is often attached as a schedule to the services agreement, so it inherits the master terms on liability and IP. Milestone invoices between businesses fall under the Late Payment Act, which is worth remembering when you set payment dates.
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
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
An action on a simple contract cannot be brought after six years from when the cause of action accrued; an action on a specialty (such as a deed) has twelve years.
Source: Limitation Act 1980, ss.5 and 8Checked 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 the Fees in the instalments set out in the Milestone Schedule, each within [14] days of the invoice date.
In Plain English
You get paid in stages as milestones are hit, with each invoice due within the days you agree.
How this clause works →Legal wording · example
Any change to the Deliverables requires a written change request agreed by both parties, including any change to the Fees or dates.
In Plain English
New asks are written down and agreed, with any extra cost or time, before work starts on them.
Legal wording · example
Ownership of the Deliverables passes to the Client on payment in full of the Fees for the relevant Milestone.
Legal wording · example
This SOW is governed by the Master Services Agreement dated [date]. If they conflict, the Master Services Agreement prevails unless this SOW expressly says otherwise.
In Plain English
The main agreement's terms win, unless this SOW clearly says it is changing them for this project.
How this clause works →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 statement of work is commonly a simple contract, not a deed, so no witness is needed.
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.
It can be, but in practice it usually points to a master services agreement for the legal terms. Without one, it may say nothing about liability, IP or termination.
Siblings
Glossary