Consulting Agreement

Consulting Agreement: Create a Verified Consultancy Contract

A verified consulting agreement is a contract between a business and an independent consultant. It records the services, the timetable, the fees and invoicing, who owns the work, confidentiality and how the arrangement ends. Robot Lawyer drafts the agreement from your answers, for the law of the country or state you choose. On the Verified plan, a legal professional checks it before you sign.

CONTENTS

What Is a Consulting Agreement?

A consulting agreement is a contract for services. The consultant brings expertise and runs their own business; the client gets clear commitments on what will be delivered and when. A written agreement avoids disputes about scope, fees and ownership of the work.

When Do You Need One?

• Hiring a consultant
  Strategy, finance, IT, marketing, HR or other specialist advice.
• Working as a consultant
  Clear terms for every client, including when you get paid.
• Short projects and retainers
  A one-off engagement or ongoing monthly support.

What's Included in Your Agreement?

• The services
  What the consultant will do, set out in a schedule.
• Dates
  When the engagement starts and when it ends, or that it continues until ended by notice.
• Fees and invoicing
  The fees, expenses and payment terms. If you don't choose, the consultant invoices monthly and invoices are paid within 30 days.
• Intellectual property
  Who owns the work created during the engagement.
• Confidentiality
  Protection for both parties' confidential information.
• Status, liability and termination
  Independent contractor status, sensible liability limits and how either side can end the agreement.

Consultants and IR35 (UK Only)

In the UK, the off-payroll working rules (IR35) may apply where a consultant works through their own company. Medium and large clients must decide the consultant's status and give a status determination statement. Your agreement reflects genuine self-employment, but how you work in practice matters too. See our IR35 Determination Statement.

How It Works on Robot Lawyer

1. Answer the questions
   Tell us about the client, the consultant, the services and the fees.
2. Generate your agreement
   We draft a complete consulting agreement with a schedule of services.
3. Get it verified
   On the Verified plan, a qualified legal professional checks the agreement within 24 hours and makes amendments where needed. See how our documents are verified.
4. Sign and start
   Both parties sign before the work begins.

Consulting Agreement FAQs

What is the difference between a consultant and an employee?

A consultant runs their own business, controls how they work and is responsible for their own tax. An employee works under the employer's control and has employment rights.

Who owns the work a consultant produces?

It depends on the agreement. Without a written assignment, the consultant usually keeps the copyright, so your agreement says clearly who owns it.

Can a consulting agreement be ended early?

Yes. Your agreement includes a notice period and the right to end it immediately for a serious breach.

Create a Verified Consulting Agreement

Put your consultancy on a clear footing. Related documents: Freelance Services Agreement, Independent Contractor Agreement, Statement of Work and Non-Disclosure Agreement.