Just because two parties sign a contract does not mean that they will be able to work well together. Contractual disputes can erupt over just about any kind of legal arrangement, but there are a few types that seem to occur more frequently. If you feel that you are not getting the value from a contract that you have signed, then it might be time to find a qualified attorney and protect your rights.
Employment
Most people would agree that an employment contract should be a fairly straightforward document. The employee understands their role, and the employer agrees to compensation of some kind. There are even federal and state employment laws that try to help make the whole arrangement easier to understand.
But employment contracts are often the most challenged and disputed types of legal arrangements in existence. Some of the most common types of issues include patent rights, residual compensation, and termination conditions. Abuse and harassment claims by employees also help to keep employment contracts in the legal spotlight.
Third-Party Services
Outsourcing of professional services is a great way for corporations to save money and still get professional quality results. But third-party service contracts are often open-ended, and that can lead to a lot of time and money spent in court.
While an outsourcing or independent contractor agreement can seem cut and dry, it leaves a lot open for interpretation. When a crisis occurs, the company will try to claim that the problem was the responsibility of the third-party contractor. Other issues such as liability insurance and intellectual property ownership also become bones of contention for third-party service agreements.
Terminating A Commercial Property Lease
It is a common occurrence in business that a company will sign a five-year lease with a commercial property owner, but then realize that they need to move to a new location two years later. While this happens all of the time, the fact that it is a regular thing does not make it any easier for either party to handle.
Some commercial tenants and landlords spend a lot of time working out early termination clauses in their leases to protect each other and avoid a long court battle. But for the majority who do not take the time to hammer out these issues before they occur, the path usually leads to a long court battle that costs both sides a lot of money.
A company should never enter into a contract without first having that contract looked over by an experienced attorney. But if your company should find itself preparing for a legal battle over a contractual dispute, then you should protect yourself by hiring an experienced attorney. Only a corporate lawyer with experience in handling contract issues can make sure that your side of the story is properly represented in court.