Define the work
Describe the services, deliverables, milestones and how the client accepts completed work. Clear scope helps manage changes.
Business contracts · Ireland
Contracts for Start-ups, Sole Traders and Irish SMEs
Most small businesses do not stall because of a bad idea. They stall when ownership, client work or payment expectations were never written down.
Arc Accord Co. prepares the documents that give a business a clear starting point, then helps add to them as the work and team grow. Start with the essentials.
For new and growing businesses
Documents prepared in stages
Ownership and decisions
Founder, Shareholder and Partnership Agreements
Good working relationships still need clear terms. Agree the rules while everyone is on the same page.
Decide before pressure builds.
Make expectations clear
A written foundation for the people behind the business.
A founder agreement Fingal businesses can use should reflect the actual arrangement, not leave important questions to memory. The document can set out:
Ownership and contributions
Record each person's agreed interest, initial contribution and any agreed arrangements for future investment.
Voting, decisions and deadlock
Set out how routine decisions are made, which matters need wider agreement and how a deadlock is handled.
A founder leaving or changing role
State what happens to ownership and responsibilities if someone leaves early or stops taking part in the business.
Disagreement between owners
Agree a route for raising and working through disputes before they put day-to-day trading at risk.
The right terms depend on the business structure. Take legal or tax advice where the decision calls for it.
Working with external talent
Consultancy and Independent Contractor Agreements
A clear agreement gives both sides a shared record of what the work involves. Put it in writing.
Set fees and expenses
Record the fee structure, invoice timing, approved expenses and when payment is due for the engagement.
Cover work and exit terms
Address ownership of work produced, termination notice and how unfinished work is handled when the arrangement ends.
A freelancer contract Ireland businesses use should describe the real working arrangement. A written label alone does not settle employment or tax status.
Working with customers
Client Service Contracts and Terms of Business
Sole trader terms should tell a client what they are buying and what you need from them to deliver it. Clarity saves time.
For defined work
Project service contract
Useful when the work has a clear brief, price or sequence of deliverables.
- Included work, exclusions and how extra work is priced.
- Milestones, approvals and client information needed to proceed.
- Cancellation, rescheduling and changes to the agreed scope.
For ongoing work
Terms of business
Useful when you provide a recurring service or take on work under a consistent set of conditions.
- How work is requested, agreed and added to the service.
- Responsibilities for access, information and timely approvals.
- Invoice timing, payment terms and ending the arrangement.
SME contract drafting Dublin businesses request can be scoped around a single client relationship or a repeatable set of terms for future work.
Protect sensitive discussions
Confidentiality Agreements and NDAs
Use an NDA when a business discussion requires clear limits on how information can be shared. Keep sensitive discussions contained.
- One-way or mutual
- Set whether one party or both parties will share protected information.
- What counts as confidential
- Describe covered information and set out appropriate exclusions.
- Duration and permitted use
- State how long duties apply and how information may be used.
- Permitted disclosures
- Address disclosures required by law or made to approved professional advisers.
An NDA cannot make every business secret safe. The wording should fit the information, the people involved and the purpose of sharing it.
Cash flow terms
Payment Provisions That Protect Small Businesses
Unclear payment terms can turn a completed job into a dispute. Set the terms early.
A contract can state when invoices are issued, how long the client has to pay and what happens if an invoice is disputed or overdue.
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Invoice clearly
Set the billing cycle, invoice details and payment window before work begins.
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Agree project stages
Use deposits or staged payments where they suit the project and the agreed scope.
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Set out late payment
State the position on overdue invoices, disputed sums and pausing further work.
Payment wording should reflect the deal and applicable rules. It can also clarify how retention or a change in scope affects the next invoice.
A clear first step
Get Your Business Foundation Documents in Place
Tell Arc Accord Co. what your business does and which document needs attention first. Documents can be prepared in stages as the business grows. Make the first document count.
Document preparation and review support is not a substitute for advice from a solicitor. Where your matter needs legal advice, seek a qualified legal professional.