"Hands on" course on contract drafting techniques! What are the most common pitfalls and how can they be avoided?

The course consists of two consecutive seminar days that complement each other. However, the program is designed so that You can choose to attend only one of the days if You prefer. Define Your learning needs, read more about the course program below, and sign up!

 

Contract Drafting in English I 11.12.2025

Aims of Part I

  • useful tips on contract drafting techniques and common pitfalls
  • useful materials that can be used as a basis for drafting contracts
  • guidance on differences between the common law and Finnish systems of contract law and the implications for negotiating and contract drafting.

Method

The course will be ”hands on”.  Delegates will be invited to undertake practical exercises eg analysing and improving poor drafting, suggesting changes to clauses presented by ”the other side”.

Course materials

The course materials include comprehensive notes, a bank of sample contract clauses, useful websites and addresses and a guide to English contract law terminology.

*****************

Contract Drafting in English II 12.12.2025

Aims of Part II
Part 2 will look at specific contracts. Participants are invited (preferably at least a month before the course!) to request any contracts they would like discussed apart from those already included.

Method
The course will be ”hands on”. Delegates will be invited to undertake practical exercises eg drafting individual clauses, improving poor drafting, suggesting changes to clauses presented by ”the other side”.

Course materials
The course materials include contracts with accompanying notes, a bank of sample contract clauses , useful websites and addresses and a guide to English contract law terminology.

*****************

Lecturer

Fletcher David

David Fletcher

The course will be given by David Fletcher, an English solicitor, who is a frequent lecturer in Scandinavia. He has given contract-drafting courses, both general and in-house, in a number of countries including Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. He has also lectured at Helsinki and Tallinn Universities.

Participant experiences from previous courses

“The combination of interactive learning, practical exercises, expert instruction, and comprehensive materials made it an enriching and rewarding experience. I look forward to applying what I have learned in my professional endeavors.“

“The material covered was comprehensive, addressing both fundamental principles and advanced concepts. The practical examples and case studies provided were particularly helpful in illustrating complex legal concepts in a real-world context.“

“David Fletcher's performance as the speaker was outstanding. He demonstrated a deep understanding of the subject matter and conveyed it with clarity and enthusiasm. His ability to break down intricate legal jargon into easily understandable terms was impressive and greatly appreciated. David's engaging presentation style, combined with his expertise, made the learning experience both enjoyable and highly educational. His responsiveness to questions and willingness to provide additional insights further enhanced the overall value of the course.“

Agenda

Tulosta

Day I 11th of December

8.30 Registration and coffee at the seminar place
9.00 Start of course

Introduction to drafting. How to draft a clause in modern English, expressing obligations, contingent obligations, exceptions, and using (or avoiding) special terminology used in contracts. How to structure a contract.

Specific issues and clauses to be included

  • Parties. Ensuring that the parties are clearly defined, especially in relation to a group of companies. What happens if the contract is assigned or transferred?
  • Heads of agreement, letters of intent. To what extent are LOI’s and HOA’s legally binding? No contract, no problem?
  • Amendment clauses. Side letters.
  • Electronic signatures. Legal position in USA, EU and UK. Suggested clauses.
  • Consideration. What is it? Payment clauses. Earn-outs in Company Sale and Purchase agreements. Completion accounts vs. locked box provisions. Price adjustment clauses vs. “anti-leakage” provisions.
  • Retention of title clauses. Different types.
  • Representations, warranties, guarantees, indemnities, covenants. What is the difference between them? How are they best drafted?   “Reps and warranties” – do we need both? Sandbagging clauses.
  • Measuring performance. Best and reasonable endeavours/efforts.  Sales target clauses.
  • Restrictive covenants. Drafting non-compete clauses, non-solicitation clauses and other restrictive covenants. Pre-completion covenants / covenants of conduct in M&A.
12.30 Lunch
13.30
  • Default and remedies. Termination clauses. What is a ”material breach”?
  • Liquidated damages clauses v penalties. LD clauses in common law systems – how they differ from penalties in civil law countries.
  • Limitation of liability, exclusions of liability and “caps”. Minimising the risks. MAC and MAE clauses in Company Sale and Purchase agreements. “Inclusion” clauses.
  • Direct and indirect damages – the implications of recent case law for drafting.
  • Dispute resolution. Jurisdiction, choice of law and arbitration after Brexit.
  • Boiler plate provisions eg drafting notices clauses, force majeure clauses, whole agreement clauses, severance clauses
14.40 Afternoon coffee and break
15.00 The subject continues
16.30 Course round-up
17.00 End of course
We reserve the right to make changes to the program.

Day II 12th of December

8.30 Registration and coffee at the seminar place
9.00 Introduction and recap on:

  • contract drafting terminology
  • differences between Finnish and English contract law and the implications for contract drafting.
9.30 LOI’s , MOU’s and NDA’s
10.30 Coffee
10.45 Joint ventures, shareholder and co-operation agreements
12.30 Lunch
13.15 Sales contracts and terms, supply contracts and distributorship agreements
14.30 Coffee
14.45 Sales contracts and terms, supply contracts and distributorship agreements (continued)
15.00 IPR Licences
16.00 Construction contracts or financial contracts (depending on delegates’ preferences)
17.00 End of course

Note: the above timetable is flexible and can be adapted to delegates’ particular interests.
We reserve the right to make changes to the program.

Hinnat

Yksityinen sektori1350 €
Julkinen sektori1300 €
Juristiliiton jäsen1250 €

Hintaan lisätään alv 25,5%. Osallistuminen sisältää sähköiset materiaalit sekä kahvi- ja lounastarjoilut seminaaripäivien aikana.

Ilmoittaudu

Yhteyshenkilöt

Puhuja

Koulutusten asiakaspalvelu

koulutus@almainsights.fi

+358-(0)20 442 4110

Paikka

Helsinki