Understand what matters to them
Consider why the other party needs a clause, where they may have room to move and which points are tied to their own processes or risk controls.
Ian's Covenant · Commercial contract support
Get a difficult contract negotiation moving.
When liability, payment or termination terms stall a deal, delay has a commercial cost. We help you set a clear position, propose workable amendments and handle the exchange with the other party.
Support is available for live negotiations and agreements already in place.
A practical process
How negotiation support works
A stalled contract needs a decision path, not another round of vague comments. We work through the disputed clauses and prepare a response grounded in your commercial aims.
Talk through your agreement01Prepare your position
We identify what must change, where you can be flexible and which protections are non-negotiable. You leave with a focused list of points for the discussion.
02Review the available leverage
We consider the value of the deal, deadlines, the working relationship and your practical alternatives. That context helps set a negotiating position you can stand behind.
03Draft the amendments
For each disputed point, we prepare clear alternative wording and explain what it changes. Specific drafting makes it easier for the other side to respond.
04Handle replies and discussion
We can prepare structured replies to counter-proposals and support discussions as the negotiation develops. You stay informed about the options and decisions at each point.
05Review the agreed document
Before signature, we check that the final contract records the negotiated terms accurately and that related clauses still work with the changes.
Where negotiations get stuck
Terms that commonly cause deadlock
Disputed contract terms often affect who carries risk, when money moves or how a business can exit. The right amendment depends on the deal and the surrounding clauses.
These clauses matter.
Liability caps and indemnities
We look at the losses covered, cap amount, exclusions and how each party's exposure compares. A proposed change should address the actual risk without leaving related clauses inconsistent.
Payment, retention and set-off
Payment dates, acceptance steps, deductions and late-payment terms can affect cash flow. Negotiation may focus on objective payment triggers and a clear process for raising a dispute.
Termination rights and exit costs
We assess notice periods, termination events, cure periods and what must be paid or handed over on exit. The aim is to make the route out understandable before it is needed.
Intellectual property and licences
Development and reseller contracts can turn on ownership, permitted use and access to existing materials. Clear wording can distinguish project deliverables from tools or content each party already owns.
Exclusivity and territory restrictions
We examine the scope, duration, territory and performance conditions attached to a restriction. A narrower clause may protect the commercial purpose while avoiding unnecessary limits on future work.
Before the first reply
Strategy before correspondence
Good preparation gives each message a purpose. We connect the legal position to what you need the deal to do.
Know what can give
Decide which concessions you could exchange for a stronger protection elsewhere. Keep essential terms distinct from preferences.
Set a limit before talks
Review realistic alternatives and the cost of delay. A defined fallback helps you avoid accepting terms that no longer make commercial sense.
Set your limits.
Clear messages, clear records
Correspondence and communication handled
A negotiation can lose direction when different people send mixed messages. We help keep the written position consistent and the decisions visible to your team.
- Prepare structured replies to proposed amendments and counter-proposals.
- Keep a written record of positions taken and points agreed.
- Coordinate messages between your commercial team and the other party.
- Agree an escalation route if discussions stop progressing.
Words shape the record.
Negotiation exchange
Position tracked
Other party · Amendment request
Requests a broader liability limit and a shorter payment period.
Your team · Position reviewed
Confirms the business impact and the protection required.
Legal support · Proposed response
Sets out revised wording with a clear explanation of the change.
Both sides · Terms recorded
Agreed points are checked against the final contract text.
Take the next practical step
Move your negotiation forward.
Tell us what agreement is involved, who the parties are and which terms are holding things up. We can discuss the next steps and the support that may suit your situation.
Based near the Clonee to North of Kells Motorway corridor. Start with the sticking point.