Freelancing
9 Key clauses for freelancers
First paying client and timely payments are the most difficult things for freelancers. Lack of legal safeguards such as contracts and right clauses are two key reasons. Freelancers can make their own contracts.
Contracts do not have to be fancy. Do not forget to include the following clauses.
Scope of work. Just copy and paste what you have agreed to do in the email.
What will the client pay. Include the total cost of the project and itemised billing of the multiple items.
Extra fees. Do not discount extra work, delays and multiple iterations. Charge.
Value your client. Include a clause which offers recourse for cancellation or low satisfaction.
Client not employer. State the kind of relationship such as being independent and able to choose working hours.
Value confidentiality with the clients. Do not allow them to put exclusivity clause, which may limit you to get more work from the similar businesses.
Decide in advance about who owns the right to intellectual property.
Choose the area of jurisdiction in case of the dispute. In India these areas are usually the high courts of a state.
Severability clause should state that the contract does not become void if one of the clauses is void.