Drafting and Negotiating Commercial Contracts: A guide to contract law for non-lawyers

Offered By: College of Law via FutureLearn

Course Description

Overview

Effective contract negotiation is a crucial part of any business and the ability to draft effective, readable, non-ambiguous contracts is a valuable skill for everyone. Some common examples of commercial contracts include employment, supplies, leases, licenses, franchises, sales, license, real estate and partnership agreements.

This is a practical course which focuses on developing the key knowledge and skill required by professionals when negotiating and drafting commercial contracts that involve parties, laws or businesses. It is important that professionals have the sufficient knowledge and skills to achieve their desired outcome from a commercial contract negotiation.

All professionals (non-lawyers) such as executives, managers or individuals who want to improve their drafting and negotiating skills when negotiating external contracts on behalf of themselves or their company.

Syllabus

Introduction to drafting and negotiating commercial contracts

Getting started
Contract Basics - The What, How & Why of Contracts
Civil law vs Common law
Some practical tips and guidance
Weekly feedback from the educators

How to effectively draft commercial contracts

Welcome to Week 2
Drafting elements
Contract structure
Drafting clauses
Language in drafting
Reviewing the contract
Techniques for plain language drafting
Weekly feedback from the educators

How to effectively negotiate commercial contracts

Welcome to Week 3
Negotiation Basics - The What, How & Why of Negotiation
Models of negotiation
Forms of negotiation
Communication
Managing legal risks
Weekly feedback from the educators

Understanding termination rights in commercial contracts

Welcome to Week 4
Types of termination rights
Exercising termination rights
Termination clauses
Sample termination clauses
Weekly feedback from the educators

Taught by

Daniel Hope