How contractors should confirm contractual agreements via email
Ideally, contractors should never start work on a project until they have a signed contract, but arrangements can be confirmed by exchanging emails.
Contractor termination disputes increase as the recession bottoms out
Contractors are increasingly facing termination disputes, which can get very complex and messy if not correctly approached and quickly dealt with.
Contractor checklist for contract paperwork
Whilst contractors should avoid standard contracts from agents and clients, most contracts have a similar structure – here’s what to look out for.
Contractor contract reviews by a legal specialist
Requesting a formal contract review from a legal expert before signing can save contractors from future headaches if something goes wrong.
Contractors threatened by BERR consultation on Conduct Regulations opt-out
Contractors are under threat, with BERR’s consultation over proposed changes to the Conduct Regulations demonstrating a lack of sector knowledge.
Yet more evidence emerges that contractors must get contracts checked before signing
A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal highlights how essential it is for contractors to get their contracts checked by an expert before they sign.
Technicalities or confusion are not legal excuses for withholding contractor payment
An appeal court ruling means late and non-paying agents and clients face punitive interest claims from contractors for withholding payment.
Contractor guide to charging interest on late payments
Contractors have a statutory right to claim interest on late payments. The law says if customers pay late, they pay interest. Here’s how it works.
Contractors bankroll big business as overdue payments skyrocket
Late payments to small businesses, including contractor limited companies, have leapt by 40% to £26bn according to research by payments firm Bacs.
Sometimes agents cannot unilaterally cut rates mid-contract
When agents play fast and loose with the rules, getting professional advice early can win the day. Roger Sinclair of Egos tells us about a recent case
Continuing to work on a contract with no signed contract renewal
Many contractors drift into a contract extension with no signed renewal. That, according to Roger Sinclair of Egos, can leave them vulnerable.
Starting contracting without a signed contract
Contracting without a signed contract can place contractors in a highly vulnerable position, as Roger Sinclair of Egos explains.
When a contractor signs a contract with terms they’d not agreed
Contractors who sign a contract that includes a mistake may find it is still binding, even if their agent or client was aware of the error.
New tax tribunals will help contractors appealing against HMRC
The tax appeals modernisation programme looks set to streamline contractors’ appeals against HMRC judgments from April 2009.
Contractors should act now to stay on right side of October’s companies legislation
A raft of new regulations and laws came into force from 1st October and, one month on, contractors should ensure they have taken appropriate action.
Contractors Lose Employment Rights in Court Decision
Contractors are likely to lose chances to obtain employment rights in an upcoming decision of the Appeals Court.
What contractors should do if their agency or client goes bust
Agency or client gone bust? Phil Richards from accountants Blevins Franks tells contractors what to expect.
Contractors warned of return of Managed Services Company legislation
Post the Dragonfly case and awaiting the Treasury’s move on umbrella expenses, can contractors relax? Not according to Lawspeed’s Adrian Marlowe.
Contractors may lose out as IT recruiter goes into administration
Recruitment firm Greatfleet has gone into administration, putting some contractors at risk of not getting paid. ContractorCalculator looks at the story, and at the actions contractors can take to protect themselves.
When your contracting client refuses to sign your last timesheet
When a project comes to an end, it is vital that you get that last sign-off from the client – not just to get paid, but also because you get a final seal of approval.
When a client unfairly terminates your contract after you’ve given notice
Most contracts have a notice period to allow an orderly conclusion to a project. But what can you do if your client terminates your contract immediately when you hand in your notice?
Handling unfair termination when contracting
If the client or agent blames you for something that clearly isn' t your fault, and terminates you, what can you do?
Handling breaches of contract whilst contracting
When agents or clients breach your contract, you should react with notification, and if appropriate and necessary, termination of the contract.
When contractors are between contracts, they still get paid
When your first contract runs out, and you're still working on renegotiating it or renewing it with the same client, you still get paid for your work.
Illegal immigrants can't be employed - but they can be contractors
The Government has launched a major campaign against illegal immigrants in the workplace. But they seem to have forgotten about illegal immigrants who work as contractors? A strange gap in the legislation.
Professional Passport: a new legal help site for contractors
Professional Passport is soon to provide compliance help on tough topics like managed service company legislation.
Contractors see change of courts position on employee rights
An interview with Adrian Marlowe, managing director of recruitment industry specialist legal consultancy Lawspeed, on what is changing in the courts about employee rights.
Exclusive: courts to take away employment rights for contractors
An upcoming court decision is expected to deprive contractors of chances of obtaining their employment rights at the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
Contractor battle with revenue offers hope
An Appeals Court Win for construction contractor Neil Martin brings hope to all of us who may suffer unfairly from the way the Revenue deals with us.
Contractors should have schedules in their contracts
Having a schedule in your contract is a great way to stay outside ensure the expectations are clearly defined between contractor and client.