Sales Contract Template for Professional Services Businesses (UK 2025)
Last updated: February 2025
Why Professional Services Businesses Need a Sales Contract
Professional services sales contracts formalise major engagement mandates such as audit appointments, complex litigation support, large property transactions, or regulatory investigations where the engagement value and risk profile warrant a comprehensive formal contract. These must comply with the relevant regulatory body's engagement requirements and address professional liability for high-value mandates, engagement team composition and partner involvement, and the fee structure for complex multi-phase work.
Key Clauses for Professional Services
- Engagement team composition with partner commitment levels
- Fee structure for multi-phase work with caps and estimates
- Professional liability provisions proportionate to engagement risk
- Regulatory-compliant engagement terms and conflict checks
Common Mistakes
- Not specifying the level of partner involvement, allowing work to be delegated entirely to junior staff without the client's knowledge or consent
- Failing to include fee caps or reliable estimates for open-ended mandates, exposing the client to unpredictable costs
Template Sections
- Engagement team and partner involvement commitment
- Fee structure with caps and estimate provisions
- Professional liability and insurance schedule
FAQ
How should a professional services sales contract specify team composition?
Name the lead partner and key team members, specify their qualifications and experience relevant to the engagement, and define the minimum partner involvement level as a percentage of total engagement hours. Include the right to approve any substitution of key team members and a mechanism for escalation if the client is dissatisfied with team performance or delegation levels.
Should a professional services sales contract include a fee cap?
For defined scope work, include a fixed fee or a capped fee with a specified maximum. For open-ended work such as litigation or investigations, include a reliable estimate with provisions for regular fee reporting, variance notifications when costs approach the estimate, and the client's right to review scope and strategy if costs exceed projections. Fee transparency builds trust and reduces billing disputes.
Generate this contract in 60 seconds
AccountsOS generates customised, UK-compliant sales contracts. From £10/month.
Get Started FreeThis is guidance for UK businesses, not legal advice. Templates are illustrative. Consult a solicitor for complex matters.
View all templates