The Power of Terms & Conditions – Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Trust
- Your Legal Team
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
We’ve never had a problem before.”
“It’s a handshake deal.”
“We trust our clients.”
At Your Legal Team, we hear these phrases often — usually after something has gone wrong.
Terms and conditions (T&Cs) are more than just a legal safety net. They’re your business’ rulebook, protection, and peace of mind. Whether you’re selling services, physical products, or digital goods, clear T&Cs are essential.
Here’s why they matter — and what you should include.
What Are Terms & Conditions?
T&Cs set out the rules of engagement between you and your customers, suppliers, or clients. They define:
• What you’re providing
• What the other party is expected to do
• Payment terms
• Deadlines and delivery
• Cancellation rights
• Liabilities
• Dispute resolution
They protect your business legally and commercially — helping you manage expectations, avoid disputes, and get paid.
Why T&Cs Are So Powerful
1. They Reduce Risk
Without clear terms, it’s your word against theirs. T&Cs give you:
✅ A clear reference point if things go wrong
✅ Legal protection against non-payment or cancellations
✅ Control over how and when services are delivered
If a client cancels work last-minute or refuses to pay, your T&Cs are your first line of defence.
2. They Show Professionalism
Good clients expect clear contracts. A simple set of T&Cs tells people:
🧠 You’re serious about your business
🧾 You have systems in place
💼 You’re commercially aware
It can make the difference between landing a big job — or looking like a hobbyist.
3. They Clarify the Scope of Work
Ever had a client ask for “just one more tweak” or assume something was included?
Your T&Cs can help by:
• Defining what’s included, and what’s not
• Setting limits on revisions
• Establishing deadlines and delivery timelines
This helps avoid “scope creep” and awkward conversations.
4. They Help You Get Paid
If you’ve ever chased an invoice, you’ll know how frustrating it is.
T&Cs let you:
• Set payment deadlines
• Add late payment charges or interest
• Define when ownership of goods or IP transfers
• Withhold services if payment isn’t received
You can even include “retention of title” clauses if you supply goods — so ownership stays with you until payment is made, making it easier to get them back, and preventing them from being sold on.
5. They Give You Legal Backup
Should a dispute escalate, T&Cs can:
• Prove what was agreed
• Be used as evidence in court or mediation
• Limit your liability
• Help you resolve issues faster
Without T&Cs, the law will impose implied terms — and they may not favour your business.
Key Clauses to Include in Your T&Cs
Your terms should be tailored to your business, but common clauses include:
• Parties involved
• Service or product description
• Payment terms - price, method, due dates
• Delivery timescales
• Cancellation/refund policy
• Intellectual property ownership
• Confidentiality
• Limit of liability
• Force majeure (events outside your control)
• Governing law and jurisdiction
We can tailor these to your industry, customer base, and risk profile.
Common Mistakes We See
🚫 Using generic templates from Google
🚫 Relying on verbal agreements
🚫 Not updating terms as the business evolves
🚫 Not making clients accept the T&Cs
🚫 Failing to apply the terms consistently
The key is to treat T&Cs as a live document — not something you draft once and forget.
How to Share Your Terms & Conditions
Once you have them, make sure they’re:
✔️ Accessible (on your website, quote, or invoice)
✔️ Sent before the deal is agreed
✔️ Accepted in writing or by action such as clicking a box, placing an order, or paying an invoice
✔️ Reviewed regularly as your business changes
We can help embed T&Cs into your onboarding or sales process, and give your existing ones a health check.
Need T&Cs for Your Business? We Can Help.
Whether you’re a freelancer, limited company, or online retailer, we can:
• Draft tailored T&Cs that suit your services
• Review your current contracts or templates
• Identify risks you haven’t spotted
• Help you implement them professionally
Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Protect your business today.
