Freelancer Contract Template for Consultancy Businesses (UK 2025)

Why Consultancy Businesses Need a Freelancer Contract

Consultancy firms use freelance associates to supplement capacity for client engagements, often placing them on client sites for extended periods where they represent the firm. Contracts must address whether the freelancer presents as an independent or as the firm's representative, billing rate arrangements and margin agreements, and robust anti-poaching provisions to prevent clients from hiring the freelancer directly. Professional indemnity insurance and confidentiality around proprietary methodologies are critical for knowledge-intensive work.

Key Clauses for Consultancy

• Representation, branding, and how the freelancer presents to clients
• Client non-solicitation and anti-poaching transfer fee provisions
• Professional indemnity insurance minimum coverage requirement
• Day rate, billing arrangements, and margin agreements

Common Mistakes

• Not requiring freelancers to present as part of the firm's team rather than as independents to clients
• Omitting anti-poaching provisions that protect against clients directly hiring the freelancer

Template Sections

• Representation and brand guidelines when client-facing
• Anti-poaching and non-solicitation clause
• Professional standards and PI insurance requirements