Consultancy agreement: single assignment, negotiable
This consultancy contract covers a multitude of work types for a self employed consultant. It has been drawn for periodic assignments with any client. It is intended to make clear the self employed status of the consultant
About this document
This is one of a set of consultancy documents drawn by Net Lawman. Links to the other are available from this page.
This consultancy agreement is suitable for:
• A consultant or self employed person who sells expertise or knowledge
• A “client” requiring a contract to set out trading terms with a consultant or self employed person
• A business using self employed people.
This consulting agreement has been drawn so as to be presented to a client on the basis that the client will probably sign it “as is”, but may wish to negotiate. It is for specific, one off assignments.Of course if you take your clients only off the Internet, you will need a “terms and conditions” document to put on your website. If you do repeat work, choose our other document called ‘Terms and conditions for a consultant’, which is linked from this page.
Self employed? Simply using this agreement will not necessarily avoid the relationship of employer and employed. Both the Inland Revenue and any industrial tribunal will be entitled to look behind the agreement at the reality of the contract. Some of the questions they might ask are:
• Is this the contractors only work or does he work for others too?
• Does the client control how the work is done?
• Are the hours fixed by the client or can the contractor choose when he works?
• Does the contractor work on the clients premises, using the client's equipment?
• To what extent is the contractor at risk as a self employed person?
• Is self employment normal for this kind of work?
• Read more on IR35 and self employment by clicking the link at the top of this page.
This document is not suitable if you are really an employee.
Application
and features
“Over-arching” agreements to be used for single assignment
Consultant to work from home or office
Very flexible to suit the requirements of either or both parties
Provides a complete framework
Protects both sides
Establishes as far as possible a self employed status for the purposes of IR35
Reduces the chances for employer obligations to arise.
