Idea Transcript
we use cookies to provide you with the best experience. see our privacy policy (/privacy.rl).
I understand
Home (/) > Documents (/all-documents.rl) > Consultancy agreement
Create your free Consultancy agreement Create my document (/documentV2.ca?t=bc249371-c510-4739-9ad8-6816cf91f196) How it works Create your document
Download & Print
Sign & Make it Legal
Overview of the Consultancy agreement Whether you're engaging a consultant or you're being engaged as a consultant make sure you put things on a formal footing with this consultancy agreement. This simple consultant contract will make certain that both parties are clear on the services to be provided by the consultant as well as payment obligations. This consultancy contract will also protect you and your business on crucial issues such as ownership of intellectual property created by the consultant and data protection matters.
When to use Use this consultancy agreement: when you want to appoint a consultant to provide services on a self-employed basis when you are an individual wanting to provide services to a business on a self-employed basis when you want to appoint an individual consultant to provide services through an intermediary company when you are an individual wanting to provide services to a business through an intermediary company only for consultants based in England and Wales
View sample
What it covers Sample Consultancy agreement
This consultancy agreement covers: the services to be provided by the consultant consultant substitution payment insurance and liability intellectual property, data protection and confidential information how to end the agreement
More than just a Consultancy agreement template, our step-by-step interview and guidance makes it easy to create your document. Easily create online, download, print and sign your free Consultancy agreement in minutes.
What is a consultancy agreement? A consultancy agreement is a contract between a self-employed person (consultant) and a customer requiring the consultants services. Consultancy services are wide ranging and include advice from experts in certain areas eg brand consulting or the services of an independent contractor, such as freelance designer.
This document is also sometimes called: Contractor agreement, Services agreement, Consultancy contract, Consulting services agreement and Consulting agreement.
Do I need a consultancy agreement? You will need a consultancy agreement when you hire a consultant and when you want to set out the details of your arrangement. Rocket Lawyer's consultancy agreement sets out all the terms of the arrangement such as the amount of time a consultant will spend on the project, how much they will be paid and contains clauses on confidentiality and ownership of IP. This contract will ensure that both client and consultant are legally protected.
What is the difference between a consultant and contractor? Rocket Lawyer's consultancy agreement can be used for both consultants and contractors. A consultant provides expert knowledge in return for a fee. They tend to work in an advisory capacity and are usually some of the most knowledgeable people in their chosen field. Consultants tend to work in specialist industries, such as finance and technology and provide businesses with professional, expert advice. A contractor on the other hand, provides a specialist service in return for a fee. Contractors are used by organisations that wish to acquire a given skill set for a period of time, but which do not want to employ someone permanently. Unlike a consultant, a contractor will actually carry out physical work, although they may also advise on what that should be beforehand. The types of work they undertake includes IT maintenance and support, cleaning services and security services.
Who is a consultant? A consultant is not an employee or a worker. A consultant provides services on self-employed basis as an independent contractor or freelancer to a client company. Why is it important to distinguish between employee and consultant or independent worker? It is important to distinguish between an employee of a company and a consultant who provides services for your company. Consultants are not protected under employment law and are responsible for paying their own taxes. The relationship between a customer and a consultant is simply contractual and subject to less statutory regulation than employment contract. Employees are protected by a bundle of statutory employment rights and are paid through PAYE. This agreement clearly indicates that this is a contract for services and that the consultant is an independent contractor.
Is the consultant allowed to work for competing businesses? The customer can choose if they will allow the consultant to work for competitors during the term of the agreement. The risk of creating an employment relationship if the consultant works for only one client is high. Allowing the consultant to work for others helps to avoid the risk of employee or worker status.
What are the consultant's obligations under this agreement? Under this agreement, a consultant is required to perform services using reasonable care and skill and to the best of their ability. A consultant must report the progress of any projects and attend any meetings, comply with law, regulations and policies and procedures that are reasonably requested by a client. This agreement allows you to specify the minimum amount of time a consultant must spend in order to perform the services for the client.
Can the consultant get someone to do the work for them if necessary, if they are unavailable? In this document, it is possible to choose whether a consultant can send a substitute in their place. If the nature of the services provided can be replaced, it is recommended that customer allows their consultants to find someone else to replace them in order to avoid accidentally creating employment relationship.
How is a consultants liability limited? A consultant is liable and has to indemnify the customer, for any loss, liability, costs, damages or expenses arising from a breach of duty or negligence. You can choose to limit this liability to a maximum amount or the total amount paid by the customer. However, in practice, liability limits can be difficult to enforce, especially if the client is a consumer. Therefore in this agreement, the consultant is required to have in place adequate insurance.
How can this contract be terminated? This contract can either be terminated by written notice or immediately if one party is in breach. This document, allows you to choose the notice period which is typically between 1-3 weeks. The customer can terminate the agreement in writing immediately without notice or payment of compensation if the consultant or representative: is guilty of any misconduct commits any repeated or fundamental breach of any terms of this agreement fails to comply with the customers policies or any reasonable and lawful directions of the client is negligent or incompetent in performing the services commits a criminal offence or acts in any way dishonestly, whether or not while providing the services and it is likely that this will damage the reputation of client is unable to provide services for 10 days in any one month consecutive period by reason of incapacity is dissolved, goes into liquidation or bankruptcy or when court administration order is made against them (if a company)
How is the customer's confidential information protected under this agreement? This agreement specifies the types of confidential information the consultant may be exposed to, such as customer lists and business plans. A consultant is restricted from using, disclosing or allowing the use or disclosure of such information, without the clients prior written consent. The consultant must return or delete any confidential information when the agreement ends. The customer is also under the same obligation of confidentiality regarding the consultants confidential information.
Who owns any intellectual property created by the consultant? This document expressly sets out that any intellectual property created by the consultant or their representative is owned by the client, or is held on trust by the consultant for the client. The customer is protected from any claims arising from the intellectual property by an indemnity from the consultant.
Further advice Ask a lawyer (/browse-lawyers.rl) if the consultant: is involved in creating intellectual property central to the client's business is or may become a managed service company is based outside England and Wales
Related documents If you're using a Consultancy agreement, you might need one of the following: Working time directive opt out letter (/documents-and-forms/working-time-opt-out-letter-agreement.rl) Probation letter (/documents-and-forms/probation-letter.rl) Job offer letter (/documents-and-forms/offer-of-employment-letter.rl) Senior employment contract (/documents-and-forms/senior-employment-contract.rl) Zero hours contract (/documents-and-forms/zero-hours-contract.rl) Non-executive director letter of appointment (/documents-and-forms/non-executive-director-letter-of-appointment.rl)
Create my document (/documentV2.ca?t=bc249371-c510-4739-9ad8-6816cf91f196) SHARE THIS ON: 24
Get free legal advice
Who uses Rocket Lawyer?
From our network lawyers.
Ask a lawyer your legal question here.
We've used Rocket Lawyer for literally everything! From client contracts, to health & safety policies for our office, and everything in between, including our first office lease and shareholders agreements - Rocket Lawyer document creation is invaluable. Characters remaining: 600
- Ben Harper | Datify
Ask a lawyer
Follow us on:
Products
Information
News
Legal
Family (/personal-and-
Legal guides (/legal-guides.rl)
Blog
Terms & Conditions (/terms.rl)
family.rl)
About us (/about-us.rl)
(https://www.rocketlawyer.co.uk/blog)Privacy policy (/privacy.rl)
Business (/business.rl)
Contact us (/contact-us.rl)
Press
Ask a lawyer (/browse-
Help (/help.rl)
(https://www.rocketlawyer.co.uk/blog/press-
lawyers.rl)
releases/)
Pricing (/pricing.rl)
Careers (/careers.rl)
Copyright © 2017 Rocket Lawyer
(https://www.mcafeesecure.com/verify? host=rocketlawyer.co.uk)