Contract Review Lawyer
When you’re about to sign a contract, you’re also about to take on legal and financial risk. At Blaze Business & Legal, our fixed fee contract review services are designed to protect your interests before that happens. We help you understand what you’re signing, flag hidden risks, and suggest practical amendments you can take back to the other party.
Whether you’re dealing with a construction contract, supplier agreement, contractor terms, service agreement, subcontract, shareholder agreement, or lease—our legal team will translate the fine print into plain English and help you understand exactly what you are signing.
What is Contract Review?
Contract Review Definition
Contract Review occurs when someone reads and analyses a contract at various project stages, including before and after execution. Before execution, the purpose of the review is to identify errors in the draft contract, make sure the contract drafting is tailored to the specific project, goods or services, and identify potential risk to be managed, mitigated, accepted or insured.
Common Contract Types
Common contracts that may need reviewing in your business include:
1. Construction Contracts
2. Joint Venture Agreements / Partnership Agreements
Your business must understand what it is committing to in entering these types of agreements
3. Employment Contracts
Regular employment contract review is important to ensure your business is compliant and protected against actions from disgruntled employees. For example, do you need a no compete clause that is not currently included?
4. Services Agreements
Services Agreements require a comprehensive contract review to ensure you understand the obligations your business will be committing to
5. Works Contracts
It’s important to review contracts for works to be carried out by your business, as these may attract a significant amount of potential liability
6. Confidentiality Agreements / Non-Disclosure Agreements
These involve a legal agreement to keep certain information confidential, and it’s critical you understand these requirements to ensure you can put in place the necessary protocols in your business.
How Our Contract Review Lawyer Can Help Your Business
1. Protect Your Business
If you’re signing an agreement, you need to be clear on your obligations, risks, and rights. Our Contract Review Lawyer, Rachelle Hare, will identify risks, flag one-sided clauses, and ensure your agreements are legally sound and commercially fair.
2. Reduce Your Stress
Contracts shouldn’t leave you second-guessing. With Blaze Business & Legal’s fixed fee contract review, you’ll get clear, practical advice—so you can sign with confidence.
3. Save Money
We help you avoid costly mistakes, disputes, and exposure by reviewing contracts before you commit. That’s how we protect your bottom line.
What is a Contract Review Lawyer?
A Contract Review Lawyer helps businesses understand and negotiate the terms of contracts before they are signed. They identify risks, ensure clarity, and suggest amendments to better protect the business.
We work with directors, business owners, operations managers, and procurement teams who want to:
Avoid getting locked into unfair or one-sided terms
Confirm what they’re responsible for and when
Understand what happens if things go wrong
Negotiate amendments without damaging commercial relationships
Ensure the agreement reflects what was actually discussed
Survey about Contract Review
I surveyed 3,843 people on the question of:
How can Contract Review save your business money?
5% – Contract Review allows you to budget and save
14% – Contract Review lets you negotiate changes
79% – Contract Review allows you to manage, mitigate and insure risk
2% – Contract Review doesn’t bring savings
Survey Insight: Why Businesses Seek Legal Review
In a survey of our clients, 79% said their biggest reason for getting a contract reviewed was to avoid hidden risks. Others cited the need to:
Clarify their obligations
Protect their intellectual property
Avoid damaging dispute resolution processes
To carry out effective Contract Review, it is essential to use an experienced Contract Review Lawyer who understands your business and industry.
When Should You Use a Contract Review Lawyer?
If the contract affects your money, your business relationships, or your risk—it’s worth reviewing. Common triggers include:
Entering a new business relationship
Renewing or extending existing agreements
Signing high-value contracts or long-term deals
Working across multiple parties or with subcontractors
Uncertainty about legal language or obligations
What Does Blaze Business & Legal Offer?
We offer specialist, senior-level contract review services that go far beyond just legal commentary. Our approach is practical, commercial, and tailored to your industry, risk profile, and goals.
Here’s what you can expect when you engage us:
Experienced, Industry-Specific Advice
Rachelle Hare is a senior lawyer who has completed thousands of contract reviews and advised hundreds of businesses across dozens of industries, both private and government. You’re getting advice grounded in real-world commercial experience—not just theory.Fixed Fee Pricing
You’ll know the total cost upfront. No hourly rates, no hidden fees, and no bill shock. We’ll scope the work and give you a fixed price before you commit.Rapid Turnaround Times
We work to your deadlines. Need same-day service? Let us know and we’ll prioritise your review. Once you sign on and send us the contract, we get started—no unnecessary delays.Legal Risk Identification
We’ll flag clauses that expose you to legal liability, limit your rights, or create unclear obligations. You’ll know exactly what’s favourable, what’s risky, and what needs to change.Business Risk Analysis
We don’t stop at legal issues. We assess commercial, operational, financial, procurement and sales risks that may affect your cash flow, profitability, or ability to perform under the contract.Negotiation Support
We’ll suggest practical, alternative clauses you can take back to the other party. If renegotiation is required, we’ll help you prepare and support you through that process.Plain English Explanations
No legal jargon. We explain what the contract actually means, how it affects your business, and what each section does in practice.Compliance Assurance
We assess whether the contract complies with relevant laws, licensing frameworks, and industry standards so you’re not caught out later.Future Impact Review
We’ll explain how the contract affects your rights, obligations, and exit strategy. You’ll know whether the deal still makes sense for your business in 6 or 12 months.Commercial Fairness Check
We help you ensure the contract reflects the deal you intended—not just what’s written down. If it’s one-sided or commercially unfair, we’ll explain why and how to fix it.Execution-Ready Review
We make sure the final version is ready to sign, reflects agreed changes, and properly captures the entire agreement—including any earlier discussions.National Access
We work with clients across Australia. Whether you’re in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or a regional centre, you’ll get senior-level advice and responsive service.Written Report and Follow-Up Call
Every review includes a written summary of key risks, recommended changes, and next steps. You also get a phone consultation to ask questions and clarify anything you need.Ongoing Legal Support
Need help with other contracts or legal matters? We stay on hand and can assist with ongoing reviews, drafting, negotiations, or broader legal strategy as needed.
How long does it take for a Contract Review Lawyer at Blaze Business & Legal to review a contract?
The time it takes for a Contract Review Lawyer to review a contract can vary widely depending on several factors:
- Complexity of the Contract: Simple contracts may be reviewed in as little as a few hours, while more complex agreements with multiple clauses and legal intricacies may take several days or even weeks.
- Specific Requirements: If you have particular concerns or need the contract to comply with specific regulations, this may add to the review time.
- Negotiation Needs: If negotiation with the other party is required, this can extend the timeline.
- Lawyer’s Availability: Our Contract Review Lawyers strive to provide prompt service, but availability can affect the turnaround time.
- Urgency: At Blaze Business & Legal, we offer expedited services for urgent needs. Please discuss your timeline with us, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your schedule.
What Types of Contracts Do We Review?
We regularly review and advise on:
Services agreements
Consultancy agreements
Subcontracts and construction agreements
Supply and manufacturing contracts
Distribution agreements
Shareholders Agreements
Joint venture agreements
Licensing agreements
Employment Contracts
Terms and conditions for products or services
Franchise agreements
Commercial leases
If you’re not sure whether we can review your document, send it through and we’ll confirm straight away.
Should I get a Contract Review Lawyer to Review my Employment Contract
Unless you are experienced in reviewing and analysing Employment Contracts, it is important that you engage an experienced Lawyer to carry out a Contract Review. Things the Contract Review Lawyer will be looking for include:
- The length of the employment
- Whether the employment is full-time, part-time or casual
- Whether the employment arrangement seems to be a “sham contracting” arrangement, where you are described as an independent contractor but in reality will be carrying out an employment role (sham contracting is prohibited by law in Australia)
- Salary, salary review opportunities, bonus and benefits arrangements
- Reasons why the contract may be terminated
- Length of notice required by either party in the event of a termination of the Employment Contract
- Ownership of Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights more generally in work performed while employed
- Non-compete clauses and whether they are valid
- Job description, expectations of the employer, etc
- Any negotiated terms being reflected in the Employment Contract.
For both employers and prospective employees, an Employment Contract is the tool used to clearly describe what is expected of both parties. The contract records the understanding of the parties and can also protect you if the other party breaches the terms of the contract.
Why Businesses Trust Blaze Business & Legal
We don’t just tell you what’s wrong. We explain how to fix it and what to say to the other party.
We’ve helped businesses avoid:
Unfair payment terms
Unreasonable termination clauses
Hidden renewal traps
Inadequate IP protections
One-sided indemnities
Our clients include trades and construction companies, consultants, advisors, manufacturers, NDIS providers, franchisors and professional services firms.
Example from our Experience
A business approached us to review a subcontract agreement provided by a much larger contractor. We identified:
Broad indemnities that could have exposed them to unlimited liability
A payment structure that allowed the head contractor to delay payment until their own client paid them
A clause that allowed termination without cause at any time
With our advice, the business successfully negotiated fairer terms and protected their cash flow, liability exposure, and continuity of work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Contract Review?
A contract review ensures clarity, accuracy, and alignment with your business objectives. Our Contract Lawyer, Rachelle Hare, will guide you through every step, helping you make informed decisions, whether it’s on a new employment contract, the purchase of contract automation software or other form of contract.
2. What does a Contract Review Lawyer do?
A contract review lawyer helps you understand what a contract means before you sign. They point out risks and propose changes that align with your commercial interests.
3. How much does a contract review cost?
At Blaze Business & Legal, we offer fixed fees for most contract reviews. You’ll know the cost upfront before we begin. Our fixed fee review prices start from $600 (excluding GST).
4. How long does a contract review take?
Turnaround times are typically 2–3 business days for standard documents. If it’s urgent, let us know and we’ll prioritise it.
5. Can you help me negotiate changes to the contract?
We’ll explain the proposed changes, help you draft your response, and support you through the negotiation process if needed.
6. Do you review contracts from other States or overseas?
We can review contracts governed by laws in other Australian States and work with cross-border and international contracts where needed.
7. What if I’ve already signed the contract?
We can still advise on your rights and obligations, and help you manage risk going forward.
8. Can you review contracts for startups and small businesses?
We frequently work with small businesses and new ventures that need clear advice before committing to agreements.
9. What’s included in a fixed fee contract review?
You’ll receive a written risk report, suggested amendments, and a follow-up consultation to talk through the key points.
10. Do you only review business contracts?
We specialise in commercial contracts—agreements used in a business or professional context. But we can review any contract or document for you, just contact us to discuss.
11. What happens after the review?
You’ll be able to move forward confidently, knowing what the contract says and whether to sign, amend, or walk away.
12. Can I speak to someone before committing to a review?
You can definitely speak with one of our Blaze Business & Legal team before committing to a review. Contact us with your contract or a summary of what you need, and we’ll let you know the best next step.
Ready to get started? Send your contract through for a free scoping assessment and fixed fee quote.
