How can I check if a contract is legally valid?
March 13, 2022 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Mia Schulz
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am reaching out to you because I am unsure if a contract that I recently entered into is legally valid. My name is Roberta Koch, I am 32 years old, and I work as a freelance graphic designer. Recently, I entered into a contract with a client for the creation of a new website for his company.
The situation was as follows: After agreeing on the services and terms, I drafted a contract and presented it to my client for signature. He signed the contract and returned a copy to me.
Now, I am unsure if the contract is truly legally valid and if all important points were correctly documented. I am concerned that there may be legal issues if there are disagreements between me and my client.
Therefore, my question is: How can I verify if the contract is legally valid and if all important points are included? Are there specific criteria that I can use to check the legality of the contract? And what can I do if it turns out that the contract is not legally valid or if important points are missing?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Roberta Koch
Dear Mrs. Koch,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the contract for the creation of a new website for your company. It is understandable that you are concerned about the validity of the contract and whether all important points have been correctly documented. In such cases, it is always advisable to carefully review the contract to avoid potential legal issues.
To check the legality of the contract, you should first verify if all components of the contract are present. These include the parties involved, the subject of the contract, the services, the compensation, the payment terms, the duration of the contract, and any liability provisions. Additionally, ensure that all agreements are clearly and unambiguously formulated to prevent misunderstandings.
Another important aspect is verifying the effectiveness of the contract signing. Make sure that both parties are of legal age and have the capacity to enter into contracts. Furthermore, the signature of the client should be present on the contract. If you are unsure about the authenticity of the signature, you can request a signature sample or have a signature verification conducted.
If you find that the contract is not legally valid or that important points are missing, I recommend contacting your client immediately to clarify any misunderstandings and potentially amend the contract. If an amicable resolution is not possible, seek legal assistance to protect your interests and initiate legal action if necessary.
In any case, I suggest carefully archiving the contract and all documentation, and consulting with a lawyer for a legally sound advice if needed.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and I am available to assist with any further questions.
Sincerely,
Mia Schulz
Contract Lawyer
