Can I write a contract myself?
The answer to this question is unequivocal: Yes, you can! In the most common cases, however, most decide to leave the work to professional lawyers. But is this really the only sensible approach today?
In practice, it is common practice for laws and treaties to consist of highly complicated structures, particularly as far as wording is concerned. It is due to this fact that only people with a specific education, such as lawyers, can understand and discuss these texts. This automatically leads to a distinction that ignores certain groups of people, but this ultimately also has an effect on the contract processes themselves, especially when it comes to a small company that cannot bear the costs of legal advice arising from contract negotiation and contract preparation.
I. Make contract creation easier with software
a) Where should you start?
When drafting contracts, regardless of whether it is a rental agreement or an employment contract, general and specific requirements must be taken into account. Finally, an incorrect content of a contract can lead to effects other than the desired ones. It may even happen that the contract becomes ineffective. Since the requirements already mentioned are usually only explained in detail as part of legal training, it is possible that a company needs legal advice, even in this pre-contractual phase.
Companies with contract software now have a frequently reviewed and updated template that meets the essential requirements of the selected contract. This creates the basis for a company to be able to consider the most important negotiating points, i.e. its own wishes and interests, and that legal advice is only minimally required or, ideally, can be omitted altogether. This is particularly important for companies that do not have a legal department and must therefore always entrust third parties with their legal matters.
b) Why can automating contract creation be significant for companies?
Depending on the type of company, certain contracts may often have to be drawn up. A suitable example for this topic is the granting of licenses for copyrighted works. For example, an agency of photographers will often obtain licenses for the use of photographic works. For this purpose, a template prepared in advance is usually used, which is only changed with regard to the duration and/or type of license. However, the general clauses will only vary if there are specific circumstances. In addition, creating a template can be extremely important for a company, especially if the conclusion of such licenses is the company's main source of income.
II. Streamline the negotiation process
The phenomenon of the digital revolution has affected our everyday lives in many ways, including the way we connect with other people. But it is not only interpersonal relationships that are affected, contract negotiations are also affected by this event, which is why platforms, such as contract software, were created to act as a bridge between the negotiating parties.
For example, contract software can help create a scenario of amicable negotiation, as a company, regardless of its size or experience, is placed on an equal footing with its customers and partners.
Good contract software improves collaboration and reduces chaos
In most cases, the preparation of an offer marks the beginning of a negotiation whose aim is to reach an agreement that corresponds to the interests of the negotiating parties, which can normally be achieved by preparing a proposal. In many cases, a traditional negotiation can lead to misunderstandings or a huge accumulation of documents that are nothing more than different versions of the same contract.
With the available tools, such as comments, analyses and mark-ups, contract software offers a space where the negotiating parties can immediately and easily communicate their thoughts, suggestions and, if necessary, concerns to each other. Since there is only a single version of the contract, the accumulation of documents described above is prevented, which in turn means that the focus is entirely on the points of conflict and the general contract process is accelerated.