Most commercial disputes are seeded the moment a contract is signed. Here are the five clauses most often overlooked — and most likely to cause trouble.
The part of a contract that matters most is rarely “what we’ll do” — it’s “what happens when something goes wrong.” While the relationship is good, no one reads the clauses; by the time you need them, you discover nothing was written clearly.
1. Payment & acceptance terms
When is payment due, how much, and what counts as acceptance? Vague phrases like “paid upon completion” are a breeding ground for disputes. Spell out milestones and amounts.
2. Breach & termination
What constitutes breach? When the other side defaults, can you terminate directly, or must you give notice first? This defines your exit in the worst case.
The remaining three — governing law and jurisdiction, confidentiality and non-compete, and liability caps — deserve the same line-by-line attention. If you have a contract on your desk, let us look before you sign.
