{"id":10089,"date":"2025-07-22T19:28:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T16:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/?p=10089"},"modified":"2025-07-22T19:28:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T16:28:29","slug":"doviryajte-ale-pereviryajte-analiz-dogovoru-z-biznes-partnerom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/doviryajte-ale-pereviryajte-analiz-dogovoru-z-biznes-partnerom\/","title":{"rendered":"Trust but verify: analyzing an agreement with a business partner"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"134\" data-end=\"539\">In today's business, the word \"trust\" comes at a price - and often a very high one. Successful partnerships are based not only on good intentions, but also on clearly written agreements. A single rash signature on a contract can cost a company financial losses, a damaged reputation, or even litigation. That is why <strong data-start=\"436\" data-end=\"474\">analysis of the contract with a business partner<\/strong> - This is not bureaucracy, but a mandatory stage in protecting your interests.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"541\" data-end=\"693\">In this article, we'll look at why you need legal due diligence on an agreement, what you should check before signing it, and how to protect yourself from hidden risks.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"695\" data-end=\"698\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"700\" data-end=\"744\">Why is contract analysis always beneficial?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"746\" data-end=\"946\">Many Ukrainian companies still treat contracts as a formality. However, practice shows that: <strong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"945\">90% commercial conflicts arise from gaps or ambiguities in contracts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"948\" data-end=\"1009\">Here are a few reasons why the contract needs to be carefully reviewed:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1303\">\n<li data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1080\">\n<p data-start=\"1013\" data-end=\"1080\"><strong data-start=\"1013\" data-end=\"1080\">The terms may be deliberately written in favor of one party.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1156\">\n<p data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1156\"><strong data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1156\">Regulations may contradict the law or contain legal traps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1236\">\n<p data-start=\"1159\" data-end=\"1236\"><strong data-start=\"1159\" data-end=\"1236\">Key provisions are missing: liability, terms, termination procedure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1237\" data-end=\"1303\">\n<p data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1303\"><strong data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1303\">The document was prepared without taking into account the specifics of your business.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1305\" data-end=\"1392\">And most importantly <strong data-start=\"1317\" data-end=\"1391\">one point is enough to lose control of assets or money<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1397\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1447\">Which contracts must be checked?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1449\" data-end=\"1510\">The list is not exhaustive, but it is worth checking especially carefully:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1512\" data-end=\"2072\">\n<li data-start=\"1512\" data-end=\"1606\">\n<p data-start=\"1514\" data-end=\"1606\"><strong data-start=\"1514\" data-end=\"1559\">Contracts with new partners or clients<\/strong><br data-start=\"1559\" data-end=\"1562\" \/>The first cooperation is always a high risk.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1731\">\n<p data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1731\"><strong data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1664\">Contracts for large amounts or with deferred payment<\/strong><br data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1667\" \/>The more obligations, the more serious the guarantees should be.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1837\">\n<p data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"1837\"><strong data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"1792\">Joint venture agreements, investments, franchises<\/strong><br data-start=\"1792\" data-end=\"1795\" \/>There are many nuances and hidden risks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1974\">\n<p data-start=\"1841\" data-end=\"1974\"><strong data-start=\"1841\" data-end=\"1907\">License, copyright, IT agreements, rights transfer agreements<\/strong><br data-start=\"1907\" data-end=\"1910\" \/>Intellectual property requires a separate legal filter.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1976\" data-end=\"2072\">\n<p data-start=\"1978\" data-end=\"2072\"><strong data-start=\"1978\" data-end=\"2021\">Agreements concluded under foreign law<\/strong><br data-start=\"2021\" data-end=\"2024\" \/>If you don't understand the jurisdiction, you need a lawyer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"2074\" data-end=\"2077\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2079\" data-end=\"2112\">What exactly to check in the contract?<\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2148\">1. <strong data-start=\"2121\" data-end=\"2148\">Correctness of details<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2150\" data-end=\"2304\">The first thing you should check is whether the person signing the contract is really authorized to do so. Fraudsters often use fake seals or signatures.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2306\" data-end=\"2333\">2. <strong data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2333\">Subject of the agreement<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2335\" data-end=\"2564\">It must be clearly and understandably described. No ambiguities. If the contract provides for the supply of goods, specify their quantity, characteristics, and quality standards. If it is a service, specify the specific scope, results, and terms.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2566\" data-end=\"2605\">3. <strong data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2605\">Terms of fulfillment of obligations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2607\" data-end=\"2733\">\"As soon as possible\" is not a deadline. Specify dates, schedules, and the possibility of rescheduling. Clear planning protects both parties.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2735\" data-end=\"2772\">4. <strong data-start=\"2742\" data-end=\"2772\">Price and payment procedure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2774\" data-end=\"2794\">The agreement must contain:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2795\" data-end=\"2940\">\n<li data-start=\"2795\" data-end=\"2847\">\n<p data-start=\"2797\" data-end=\"2847\">a clearly fixed amount or a mechanism for calculating it;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"2905\">\n<p data-start=\"2850\" data-end=\"2905\">payment schedule (advance payment, phased payment, upon completion);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2906\" data-end=\"2940\">\n<p data-start=\"2908\" data-end=\"2940\">penalties for late payment.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"2942\" data-end=\"2976\">5. <strong data-start=\"2949\" data-end=\"2976\">Responsibility of the parties<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2978\" data-end=\"3098\">Who is responsible and for what? What happens in case of violation? What are the penalties? How are claims processed?<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3100\" data-end=\"3127\">6. <strong data-start=\"3107\" data-end=\"3127\">Terms of termination<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3129\" data-end=\"3302\">Can the agreement be terminated unilaterally? What are the grounds? What are the consequences? Often, businesses find themselves in a \"trap\" when it is legally impossible to withdraw from an agreement without incurring losses.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3304\" data-end=\"3352\">7. <strong data-start=\"3311\" data-end=\"3352\">Jurisdiction and dispute resolution procedure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3354\" data-end=\"3498\">Determine which court will hear any disputes. If we are talking about an international partner, are you ready to sue, for example, in Austria?<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3500\" data-end=\"3533\">8. <strong data-start=\"3507\" data-end=\"3533\">Force majeure circumstances<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3535\" data-end=\"3671\">If the contract is concluded for a long time, it is necessary to foresee unforeseen situations: war, lockdown, export ban, changes in legislation.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3673\" data-end=\"3676\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3678\" data-end=\"3720\">Examples of hidden risks in contracts<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3722\" data-end=\"4164\">\n<li data-start=\"3722\" data-end=\"3856\">\n<p data-start=\"3724\" data-end=\"3856\"><strong data-start=\"3724\" data-end=\"3760\">Automatic contract renewal<\/strong>If the company does not send a refusal within 30 days, it will be forced into a new year of obligations without any desire.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3857\" data-end=\"3936\">\n<p data-start=\"3859\" data-end=\"3936\"><strong data-start=\"3859\" data-end=\"3906\">Obligation to purchase a minimum volume of goods<\/strong>even if it is not needed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3937\" data-end=\"4013\">\n<p data-start=\"3939\" data-end=\"4013\"><strong data-start=\"3939\" data-end=\"4013\">The ability of a partner to unilaterally change prices or terms.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4014\" data-end=\"4090\">\n<p data-start=\"4016\" data-end=\"4090\"><strong data-start=\"4016\" data-end=\"4070\">Signing annexes without signing the main agreement<\/strong> - legal conflict.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4091\" data-end=\"4164\">\n<p data-start=\"4093\" data-end=\"4164\"><strong data-start=\"4093\" data-end=\"4164\">Intellectual property rights are automatically transferred to the counterparty.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"4166\" data-end=\"4169\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4171\" data-end=\"4207\">Who should be entrusted with the contract review?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4209\" data-end=\"4382\">Best of all <strong data-start=\"4220\" data-end=\"4243\">commercial lawyer<\/strong>who understands not only the law but also the business logic. A CFO or sales manager may overlook important legal details.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4384\" data-end=\"4390\">Lawyer:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4392\" data-end=\"4589\">\n<li data-start=\"4392\" data-end=\"4420\">\n<p data-start=\"4394\" data-end=\"4420\">will analyze all the provisions;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4421\" data-end=\"4450\">\n<p data-start=\"4423\" data-end=\"4450\">will indicate potential risks;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4451\" data-end=\"4511\">\n<p data-start=\"4453\" data-end=\"4511\">will suggest wording that will better protect your side;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4512\" data-end=\"4537\">\n<p data-start=\"4514\" data-end=\"4537\">will help in negotiations;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4538\" data-end=\"4589\">\n<p data-start=\"4540\" data-end=\"4589\">prepare recommendations or a new version of the agreement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"4591\" data-end=\"4594\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4596\" data-end=\"4626\">Conclusion: what should businesses do?<\/h2>\n<ol data-start=\"4628\" data-end=\"4961\">\n<li data-start=\"4628\" data-end=\"4677\">\n<p data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4677\"><strong data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4677\">No contract is signed without analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4678\" data-end=\"4762\">\n<p data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4762\"><strong data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4711\">Don't be afraid to make changes.<\/strong> An agreement is the result of negotiations, not a dictate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4763\" data-end=\"4829\">\n<p data-start=\"4766\" data-end=\"4829\"><strong data-start=\"4766\" data-end=\"4829\">Keep a single register of contracts and review them regularly.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4830\" data-end=\"4880\">\n<p data-start=\"4833\" data-end=\"4880\"><strong data-start=\"4833\" data-end=\"4880\">Sign it only after consulting a lawyer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4881\" data-end=\"4961\">\n<p data-start=\"4884\" data-end=\"4961\"><strong data-start=\"4884\" data-end=\"4961\">If in doubt, it is better to lose the deal than to get the company into trouble.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr data-start=\"4963\" data-end=\"4966\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4968\" data-end=\"4994\">How can we help?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4996\" data-end=\"5296\">\u0423 <strong data-start=\"4998\" data-end=\"5012\">Axel Legal<\/strong> We analyze business, investment, partnership and IT agreements on a daily basis. We don't just read documents - we <strong data-start=\"5125\" data-end=\"5164\">We take into account the specifics of your business<\/strong>We see risks where others do not, and always offer <strong data-start=\"5219\" data-end=\"5243\">constructive corrections<\/strong>who do not disrupt the deal but protect your interests.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5298\" data-end=\"5370\"><strong data-start=\"5298\" data-end=\"5370\">Need a contract review - quickly, accurately and without water? Don't hesitate to contact us.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5372\" data-end=\"5376\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"5378\" data-end=\"5440\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-right kksr-valign-bottom kksr-disabled\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;right&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;10089&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Rate this post&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;5\\\/5 - (4 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;\u0414\u043e\u0432\u0456\u0440\u044f\u0439\u0442\u0435, \u0430\u043b\u0435 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0456\u0440\u044f\u0439\u0442\u0435: \u0430\u043d\u0430\u043b\u0456\u0437 \u0434\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0443 \u0437 \u0431\u0456\u0437\u043d\u0435\u0441-\u043f\u0430\u0440\u0442\u043d\u0435\u0440\u043e\u043c&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;142.5&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 142.5px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            5\/5 - (4 votes)    <\/div>\n    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today's business, the word \"trust\" comes at a price - and often a very high one. Successful partnerships are based not only on good intentions, but also on clearly written agreements. A single rash signature on a contract can cost a company financial losses, a damaged reputation, or even litigation. That is why analyzing an agreement with a business partner is not a bureaucracy, but a mandatory stage of [...]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10089"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10089\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10091,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10089\/revisions\/10091"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/axellegal.com.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}