Contracts: Reading, Writing and Negotiating

Why Attend

Understanding contract law has become an essential part of conducting our daily business functions. Whether you are in purchasing, contract management, subcontracts, project management, general management or sales, you are constantly involved with legal and contract principles, sometimes without even realizing it.

Overview

Course Outline

Schedule & Fees

Course Methodology

Instructor-led training that uses interactive learning methods, including class discussion, small group activities, and role-playing

Course Objectives

Provide an understanding of contract structures, and how and why contracts are drafted in particular ways; Enhance understanding of the legal principles behind contracts; Provide an understanding of some of the main clauses in different types of agreements; Explain the commercial impact of particular provisions; Discuss the differences between similar clauses in different international standards; Show how to write contract clauses clearly to avoid conflict; Develop an understanding of when to accept proposed amendments, and when to reject them, including how to give clear reasons for such rejection; Give practice in amending documents to meet particular requirements, including the use of Special Conditions; Provide strategies and tactics for negotiating on possible contract amendments; Explain how to use contract provisions to reduce the risk of disputes.; Where disputes do arise, show how the contract can be used to minimize these disputes, and some of the methods by which disputes are resolved in international contracting (including non-traditional approaches, such as mediation)

Target Audience

Target Competencies

n/a

Day One

How and why contracts are drafted?

Why we use contracts
Formation of a Contract
The key elements of a contract
Oral or written?
Electronic contracts
Terms and Conditions of contract
Agency issues
The basic structure of a contract
Incorporating documents by reference
Standard Forms - International and Company
Form of Agreement
Precedence of documents – Special Conditions

Day Two

Main Contract Clauses

Obligation to deliver/perform
Rework/re-performance
Risk of Damage
Title
Compliance with law/change of law
Indemnities
Insurance
Third parties
Liability in negligence – relationship with contract conditions

Day Three

Main Contract Clauses - continued

Variations and changes
- To the scope of work
- To the contract
Product liability and defective goods - rejection of goods
Intellectual property
Taxation
Suspension and termination
Acceptance and Certificates
Payment
Liquidated damages/penalties
Limits of liability
Guarantee/Warranty/Maintenance
Which law to apply in international contracts

Day Four

Other Documents

Incorporating tender documents
Letters of Intent or Award
Letters of Comfort or Awareness
Side Letters
Bank bonds and Guarantees
Parent Company Guarantees

Writing Contracts

Clarity of language
Legal terms
Definitions
Translation
Resolving conflict with a document or between sections

Day Five

Negotiation and Resolution of Disputes

Contract negotiation
Dispute Resolution clauses
Unequal bargaining positions
Negotiation, compromise, and settlement
Litigation
Arbitration
Alternative methods of resolving disputes
- Mediation
- Conciliation
- Early Neutral Evaluation
- Expert Determination
- Mini-arbitration
- Pendulum arbitration
Final review and questions

$2875

Lusaka

Country: Zambia

Duration: One week

Date: 11–15 Aug 2025

$4475

Copenhagen

Contracts: Reading, Writing and Negotiating

Overview

Course Outline

Schedule & Fees

Course Methodology

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Target Competencies

$2875

Country: Zambia

Duration: One week

Date: 11–15 Aug 2025

$4475

Country: Denmark

Duration: One week

Date: 18–22 May 2026