Help with legal issues and contracts - Freelance UK Forums

Pauline LRPS · 01-15-2007, 07:05 PM

Hello All,
I have recently started freelancing and Im looking for as much infromation about the law and contracts etc. I understand copyright and photographers rights but I need help with other aspects, For example:
How legally binding is a model release form that you have writtern yourself.
How legally binding are terms and conditions of a wedding, corporate contract and so on. Is there a book i can get with advice also help with paperwork. I have a fairly good system but I need reassuring. Many thanks if anyone can help.
My photography consists of;
Weddings Theatre Coporate Nurseries Portraits these all so far have been on a fairly casual basis I have enhancd CRB.

SharpClause · 01-16-2007, 04:54 AM

Hi Pauline!

Any contract signed between you and a client is legally binding and can be upheld in a court of law - same as a release - however if you want to make sure it's watertight and doesn't have any loopholes I'd get it checked by a legal eagle. I'd just make it clear what your and your client's permissions are.

Here's the UK Government's Copyright and Patents site and it's prety exhaustive on law and contracts and stuff. That's probably a good place to browse.

I think as you're using your CRB it would be a good idea to back up your contract with legal advice and confirmation that it's OK - just to satisfy the authorities if nothing else. You could put a small guarantee on the bottom then to say that it has been certified or approved by the Law Society or someone .. Anything that will prove that you're above board and trustworthy has to be a good thing in this area I think. See what a legal adviser thinks - in fact why not ask the assessors what they would expect to see on a contract. No harm in getting the info straight from the horse's mouth.

Additionally if a contract is agreed between you and a client, remember it's up to them as well to make sure they know what they're signing.

Just my tuppencethreefarthings'worth!

HTH

Pauline LRPS · 01-17-2007, 09:18 AM

Many thanks for your reply. Its good to know where I stand! Nice website by the way....

Kind Regards,
Pauline.

SharpClause · 01-17-2007, 12:35 PM

Hi Pauline! Glad I could be a bit of help. Thanks for the visit too

Just been revamping! so I'm glad it looks OK.

01-15-2007, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pauline LRPS New Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Help with legal issues and contracts Hello All, I have recently started freelancing and Im looking for as much infromation about the law and contracts etc. I understand copyright and photographers rights but I need help with other aspects, For example: How legally binding is a model release form that you have writtern yourself. How legally binding are terms and conditions of a wedding, corporate contract and so on. Is there a book i can get with advice also help with paperwork. I have a fairly good system but I need reassuring. Many thanks if anyone can help. My photography consists of; Weddings Theatre Coporate Nurseries Portraits these all so far have been on a fairly casual basis I have enhancd CRB.

01-16-2007, 04:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
SharpClause Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Highlands of Scotland Posts: 47	Hi Pauline! Any contract signed between you and a client is legally binding and can be upheld in a court of law - same as a release - however if you want to make sure it's watertight and doesn't have any loopholes I'd get it checked by a legal eagle. I'd just make it clear what your and your client's permissions are. Here's the UK Government's Copyright and Patents site and it's prety exhaustive on law and contracts and stuff. That's probably a good place to browse. I think as you're using your CRB it would be a good idea to back up your contract with legal advice and confirmation that it's OK - just to satisfy the authorities if nothing else. You could put a small guarantee on the bottom then to say that it has been certified or approved by the Law Society or someone .. Anything that will prove that you're above board and trustworthy has to be a good thing in this area I think. See what a legal adviser thinks - in fact why not ask the assessors what they would expect to see on a contract. No harm in getting the info straight from the horse's mouth. Additionally if a contract is agreed between you and a client, remember it's up to them as well to make sure they know what they're signing. Just my tuppencethreefarthings'worth! HTH Last edited by SharpClause; 01-16-2007 at 04:56 AM.

01-17-2007, 09:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Pauline LRPS New Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Thank you Many thanks for your reply. Its good to know where I stand! Nice website by the way.... Kind Regards, Pauline.

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01-17-2007, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
SharpClause Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Highlands of Scotland Posts: 47	Hi Pauline! Glad I could be a bit of help. Thanks for the visit too Just been revamping! so I'm glad it looks OK.