The nature of business today and the increasing frequency of cross-border transactions means that UK companies need to be aware of the contractual requirements of other jurisdictions, when negotiating and performing contracts.

In an increasingly hi-tech world, more businesses are seeking a competitive edge through bespoke software. Unlike packaged, ‘off the shelf’, software, a bespoke solution – be it a small stand-alone programme, a multi-tiered application or a large-scale system – can perform in ways that meet the unique needs of your business.

These days software supply options abound, but by far the most common choice remains an ‘off-the-shelf’ package with its take-it-or-leave-it licence. But before you accept those standard terms and conditions have you ever stopped to wonder what the small print might actually mean? Read on.

This article is an update to "The Bribery Bill dealing with bribery at home and abroad", as there have been several key developments since going to press.

This article is the second in a series of three articles looking at some of the key differences between contracts made under Indian law and those made under English law.

The provision of credit and the supply of goods on hire or purchase to individuals (including sole traders and partnerships of three or fewer people) in the UK is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

So, the honeymoon’s over. The cracks have started to show. You’ve been arguing for months and performance has been, frankly, dismal. Let’s face it; you got into bed with the wrong partner and now you want out.

Social media is about user-generated content which is used across a diverse range of web based systems, enabling people to "socially" interact with one another.

A new private members bill and a new EU directive relating to unfair contract terms in consumer contracts are both currently being debated with a view to clarifying the law relating to unfair contract terms in financial services consumer contracts.

‘Boilerplate’ is the term often used to describe clauses, such as governing law and entire agreement clauses, that are so commonly found in commercial contracts that they often seem to have become standardised.

Many of the principles of modern contract law were formed during the laissez-faire nineteenth century. Back then it was thought wrong to interfere with private agreements.

It's happened: the other party is in serious breach of contract but the exact situation is not expressly described in the contract terms. You might be entitled to terminate the contract, but you'd probably rather just receive what you contracted for, in which case termination can look more like a foot wound waiting to happen than a solution to your woes.

In contracting terms, we cannot always choose our perfect partners. Sometimes we go with the best that is on offer and sometimes we weigh the risks against the benefits and decide to take a chance.

The ability of one party to use a contract's standard limitation of liability provisions to avoid liability for a breach has always been one of the hot topics of contract law.

Email has become a key marketing tool for many UK businesses. But whilst many businesses are aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, fewer are familiar with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 even though they apply specifically to direct marketing by electronic means.

Following our previous briefings on comparative advertising, the Advocate General (whose opinion is non-binding but intended as guidance for the European Court of Justice) has recently thrown a much needed lifeline to brand owners following his decision in the ‘smell-alike and look-alike’ perfume case of "L’Oréal v Bellure".

Navigating a commercial contract and appreciating the implications, both legal and practical, can be a daunting task. This article provides a snapshot of key clauses typically found in a standard commercial contract and looks at the implications of those clauses for the contracting parties.

The public sector has radically changed its approach to procuring goods and services from third-party suppliers. There are now huge opportunities for the private sector to work with local authorities to improve the delivery of public services.

The eagerly awaited Gowers Review of Intellectual Property was published on 6 December 2006. With the potential to be the biggest shake-up of UK intellectual property law for years, the Review has been welcomed by some, but criticised by others. So what was the Review all about and what impact will it have on intellectual property owners and users?

In the current economic climate many businesses are braced against 'talent raids' by competitors - and a series of recent decisions by the House of Lords in Mainstream and the High Court in Kynixa has shown that tough post-termination employment restrictions to protect business interests from talent poachers are now much more likely to be upheld by the courts.