The UK Freelance Contract Checklist

All 14 Essential Sections for IR35-Compliant Contracts

Use this interactive checklist to review any UK freelance contract. Covers everything from IR35 compliance to Late Payment Act protection. Click the checkboxes to mark items complete, and print it off for your records.

Why UK Freelancers Need an IR35-Compliant Contract

If you're a UK freelancer or contractor, you face unique challenges that go beyond just getting paid on time. You need to prove your self-employed status for IR35, protect your intellectual property rights under UK law, comply with GDPR, and ensure you're covered by the Late Payment Act when clients delay payment.

A proper UK freelance contract isn't just about scope and payment—it's about legal compliance, tax protection, and professional credibility. This checklist covers all 14 essential sections that every UK freelance contract must include to protect you legally and financially.

UK Freelance Contract Checklist

All 14 essential sections your UK freelance contract needs. Click each item to check it off as you review.

📋 The 14 Essential Sections

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1. Interpretation & Definitions

Defines "Services", "Work Product", "Confidential Information" and other key terms to prevent disputes and ambiguity.

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2. Appointment and Term

Engagement terms, start date, contract duration, and confirmation of independent contractor status (not employee).

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3. Contractor's Obligations

Reasonable skill and care standard, equipment provision, substitution rights (critical for IR35), and compliance with client policies.

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4. Fees and Payment

Payment structure (hourly/fixed/daily), invoicing frequency, payment terms, VAT status, expenses, and Late Payment Act interest (8% + Bank of England rate).

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5. Working Arrangements

Work location (remote/client site/hybrid), availability expectations, and confirmation of no obligation to accept/offer work (IR35 protection).

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6. Termination

Notice period requirements, immediate termination grounds (breach, insolvency), and obligations upon termination (return materials, final invoice).

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7. Intellectual Property

IP ownership (client/contractor/shared), when rights transfer, moral rights waiver under Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, and pre-existing materials.

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8. Warranties and Representations

Contractor warrants authority to enter agreement, necessary skills/qualifications, professional performance, and originality of work (no IP infringement).

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9. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Confidentiality obligations, survival period (indefinite/2-5 years), UK GDPR compliance, and Data Processing Agreement requirements if handling personal data.

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10. Liability and Insurance

Professional Indemnity insurance requirements (£1-2m coverage), liability caps (fees paid/insurance coverage), and indemnification clauses. Cannot limit liability for death/injury or fraud.

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11. Tax and IR35

Contractor responsible for own tax/NI, IR35 status determination (inside/outside/TBD), tax status confirmation (self-employed/limited company), and tax indemnity clause.

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12. Anti-Bribery and Compliance

Compliance with Bribery Act 2010 and all applicable UK laws/regulations. Contractor must not cause client to breach any law.

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13. Dispute Resolution

Good faith negotiation for 14 days, then mediation before litigation. Helps avoid costly court proceedings.

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14. General Provisions

Entire agreement clause, written variation requirement, no assignment without consent, no partnership/employment created, severability clause, English law and jurisdiction.

✅ Critical Additional Elements

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Schedule 1: Detailed Services Description

Specific deliverables, outcomes, formats, timelines, and what's explicitly NOT included to prevent scope creep.

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Signature Blocks

Proper signature sections with date fields for both contractor and client (with name/position for companies).

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Company Details

Full legal names, addresses, and company registration numbers (if applicable) for both parties clearly stated at the start.

💡 How to Use This Checklist

Review your freelance contract against all 17 checklist items
Click the checkboxes as you verify each section is present and correct
Pay special attention to IR35 compliance (sections 3, 5, and 11)
Ensure UK-specific protections are included (Late Payment Act, Bribery Act, UK GDPR)
Print this page for offline reference (your checkmarks will print)
Missing sections? Use our complete UK Freelance Contract template

Get the Complete UK Freelance Contract

Stop worrying about IR35, missing clauses, or legal gaps. Our professionally-written, IR35-compliant UK Freelance Contract includes all 14 essential sections plus detailed schedules and both Editor and Interview versions.

✓ All 14 sections covered
✓ IR35-compliant with substitution rights
✓ Late Payment Act protection (8% interest)
✓ UK GDPR compliant
✓ Professional Indemnity insurance clauses
✓ Bribery Act 2010 compliance
✓ Both Editor & Interview formats
✓ Instant download - only £10

Get Your UK Freelance Contract →