Using Standard Terms and Conditions or Agreements
Having in place a properly written set of Terms and Conditions ("Ts and Cs") or a formal Agreement containing terms and conditions (see "Which should you use, Terms and Conditions or a formal Agreement ?" below) can help you protect your business interests when you’re trading with other businesses or consumers. The Ts and Cs or Agreement should set out all of your legal and commercial trading terms, including various processes such as payment, delivery and returns, so that both parties know all terms that apply and know what to expect prior to any transaction taking place. This can reduce the possibility of uncertainty and disputes further down the line.
Businesses dealing with consumer customers need to be aware of all relevant legislation that protects consumers (including the Consumer Rights Act 2015) and ensure that their Ts and Cs or Agreements for consumers are drafted within the constraints of applicable consumer legislative protections.
If you provide hire purchase or other credit facilities, all arrangements may be regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, and so if you do provide any credit facility, you would need expert legal advice.
If you are a manufacturer or reseller, and will have an ongoing business relationship, you should especially have a formal Agreement( rather than just Ts and Cs) which goes beyond a set of standard Ts and Cs, to include those provisions needed to take account of the ongoing nature of the relationship.
If your commercial situation changes, you may need to change the Ts and Cs or Agreement for your supply or purchases, or change, or even end, the Agreement or the contract containing the Ts and Cs.
Find details on the above topics below.
- Which should you use, Terms and Conditions or a formal Agreement ?
- Why should your business have sales Terms and Conditions or Agreements?
- Terms and Conditions Templates & Examples
- Website Terms and Conditions & Terms of Use
- Sale of goods terms and conditions
- Supply of services terms and conditions
- Terms and conditions for consumers
- Using Agreements (instead of Terms and Conditions) for manufacturing or resale
- Changing and terminating contractual supply or other agreements