“Please check this contract” can mean very different things. A useful brief explains the deal, the decisions still open and what you want the lawyer to deliver.
Describe what your business is trying to achieve, who the other party is and the stage of discussions.
Explain the commercial purpose
Describe what your business is trying to achieve, who the other party is and the stage of discussions. Identify whether you have a draft, a signed agreement or a proposed variation. Mention any requested signing or response date and ask whether the provider can assess the timing. A review before commitment and advice about an existing disagreement may require different work.
Identify the complete document set
Ask what the adviser needs, including schedules, referenced terms, earlier versions or related correspondence. Label drafts clearly and explain which version is current. If a document refers to material you do not have, flag the gap. Do not assume reviewing the main pages includes checking every linked policy or commercial statement. Confirm the exact set the lawyer has agreed to consider.
Choose a useful deliverable
Ask whether the result will be a conversation, written issues list, marked-up draft or negotiation with the other party. Explain who in your business needs to understand the advice and make decisions. A legal review may also identify questions for an accountant or another specialist. Ask where the proposed service ends rather than assuming a contract quote includes all commercial and financial assessment.
Compare the revision allowance
Check how many document versions or rounds of changes are included and how additional work is charged. Ask whether responding to the other party’s amendments is separate. Confirm who is authorised to give instructions for the business and how urgent requests are handled. Keeping the scope visible helps you distinguish an estimate for a single review from an ongoing negotiation engagement.
A fictional supplier example
Imagine a supplier sends a short agreement with a separate pricing schedule and online terms. One quote covers an initial issues discussion; another includes proposed wording and one revision. Neither label tells you whether the online terms are included. Give both advisers the complete set and ask the same question. Compare the confirmed deliverables before deciding whether the amounts describe equivalent services.
Close the loop before signing
Ask the adviser to identify unresolved questions, assumptions and any further information needed. Confirm whether it has reviewed the final version or only an earlier draft. Keep the advice and scope with the relevant version so the team does not rely on comments about a different document. This guide does not approve clauses or decide whether a contract should be signed.
Questions you might still have.
Does review mean negotiation?
Not necessarily. Ask whether the lawyer will communicate with the other party or only advise you.
Can I send only the signature page?
Ask for the required document set. Related terms and schedules may be relevant to the proposed review.
Is one revision always included?
No inclusion is assumed here. Have the provider specify the revision allowance.
General preparation information, not legal advice. Rules and options depend on your circumstances and jurisdiction. Check current official information and speak with a qualified adviser about documents, rights or deadlines.
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