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Employment & HR

Contractor Agreement Template

A contractor agreement defines a genuine business-to-business relationship, which matters for both commercial clarity and tax status. Clear terms help demonstrate the contractor is not a disguised employee.

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What this contractor agreement covers

When you need a contractor agreement

The legal framework

Understanding the law behind a contractor agreement helps you use it well. Here is the key UK legislation that applies:

Employment Rights Act 1996
The foundation of UK employment law — sets out the core rights around contracts, dismissal, redundancy and the written statement of particulars.
Employment Rights Act 2025
The most significant reform in a generation. Introduced day-one rights to statutory sick pay and certain family leave, strengthened protections for low-hours workers, and created the Fair Work Agency. Being phased in through 2026–2027.
Equality Act 2010
Prohibits discrimination in the workplace across nine protected characteristics — relevant to every policy and contract.
On the horizon. Further Employment Rights Act 2025 provisions continue to commence through 2026 and 2027, including an expected reduction in the unfair dismissal qualifying period from two years to around six months.

Frequently asked questions

Does a contractor agreement affect IR35?

It helps. While the written terms aren't decisive, genuine substitution, control and financial-risk provisions support an outside-IR35 position.

Who owns the work a contractor produces?

By default the contractor may retain IP, so the agreement should expressly assign rights to you where needed.

How Legal Lift helps

Answer a few plain-English questions and our AI generator produces a tailored contractor agreement, ready to edit, download as PDF or Word, and e-sign with LegalSign. Every template is kept current with UK law, and our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are available if you'd like it reviewed.

This page explains the law in general terms to help you understand your contractor agreement. It is information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific circumstances, our SRA-regulated solicitor partners are here to help.

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