Use this contract: 

• To delegate all or part of a service or task to a self-employed individual without employee status.
• That the services relate to a specific project or must be provided on a repetitive or constant basis.
• If the tasks are carried out with complete flexibility and independence, subject to the general instructions and requests of the principal.
• Where the freelancer is to be remunerated on a regular basis, at an hourly, monthly, annual, or other rate.
• Whether expenses or material costs are borne by the principal, the freelancer or re-invoiced.

Protect yourself legally as a principal with the following options: 

• Commitment to minimum hours per week, availability, and frequency of reports. 
• Firm prohibition on subcontracting, non-disclosure, non-solicitation and non-competition, even after the end of the contract. 
• Capping of costs that may be invoiced in addition to fees, and clear indication of the VAT to be invoiced. 

• Unambiguous treatment of the transfer and use of intellectual property created and protection of confidential information. 
• Declaration and undertaking to notify any change of status when the freelancer is reclassified as an employee. 

Protect your interests as a freelancer by using the following clauses: 

• Minimum monthly remuneration notwithstanding hours actually worked. 
• Indication of costs to be invoiced in addition, on an actual basis, at a flat rate or as a percentage of fees. 
• Limitation of liability to the amount of fees paid and imposition of a short claim period by the principal. 
• Authorisation to delegate, represent and sign on behalf of the principal. 
• Reservation of the intellectual property created and the right to use it, even by assigning it to the principal. 

Freelance Contract

A freelance contract template allows to draft a legal agreement signed between the principal (client) and the freelancer to outline the scope of work and remuneration.

A freelancer contract sample is more flexible than an employment agreement and offers greater flexibility to the freelancer with less legal protection than that of the worker.

A company uses a freelance agreement template:

• To delegate all or part of services or works to a self-employed service provider (for example: construction, sales, or consulting).
• Engage a freelancer for a specific project, for a fixed term, or on an ongoing basis.
• To establish a secured cooperation, on an exclusive full-time basis or part-time non-exclusive grounds.

Key Aspects of Freelance Agreement

• This freelance contract example is primarily used to delegate ancillary services or works to a self-employed service supplier, including a registered business, but not a company.
• The document should clearly outline the scope of work, start and termination, as well as additional responsibilities of the freelancer.
• Our sample includes provisions for a regular fee, rebilling of costs and taxes, material prices, and a down payment retainer.
• In contrast to an employee, a freelancer operates independently, managing their schedule and bearing both the costs and economic risks associated with the work.

Seven tips on Contract for Freelance Work

To legally protect yourself as a principal, we encourage you to opt for the following points in our simple freelance contract template:

• Clear definition of taxes, costs, and prices for materials that can be rebilled by a freelancer.
• Restrictions on any act of competition, solicitation, and non-disclosure duties with lump-sum penalties for breach.
• Prohibition to delegate work to unauthorised parties.

The sample contract for freelance work should offer protection and benefits to the freelancer as well. These might be:

• Right of representation by signature, to act on behalf of the principal, and authorisation to delegate work to third parties.
• Flexible remuneration policy and calculation of fees, with a down payment retainer amount.
• Termination effect for the end of a period to ensure minimum remuneration until the term.
• Limitation of liability, acquisition, or transfer of intellectual property and a shortened review period.

Customizing Document Template for Your Needs

Whether a freelancer or a client, you can draft a professional freelance work agreement template in just a few minutes using AdminTech’s online document builder, and be confident about the legal protection you receive.

With AdminTech’s sample freelancer agreement form, simply fill in the fields with the required information, and the document shall automatically adjust to your specific needs.

Create a Freelance Work Agreement with AdminTech

A professional freelance job contract template covers the following information:

• Parties’ name and identification.
• Scope of work, responsibilities, and reporting regularity.
• Terms of cooperation and termination notices.
• Taxes, materials, and ancillary expenses.
• Retainer, guarantees, and limitations of liability.
• Restrictions and non-disclosure provisions.
• Intellectual property rights.

Freelance Job Contract FAQ

What’s a freelancer agreement?

An example of freelance contract template from AdminTech provides parties with an opportunity to create a professional document that can be used during the cooperation with subcontractors with more flexibility as opposed to hiring employees. This freelancer contract sample is made by a lawyer and is governed by English law.

How many hours can a freelancer work per week?

In English law, there are no legal limitations on the number of hours of work for an independent freelancer. Although a weekly time commitment may be provided in the freelance agreement template, the freelancer is generally free to organise the schedule.

What is the maximum duration for a freelance agreement?

There are no legal restrictions on the duration of a contract for freelancer. The parties may convene a fixed-term or a permanent relationship subject to a termination notice. Immediate termination for cause is reserved as per the clauses of our freelance contract example.

Should a freelancer agreement be made in written form?

Subcontracting may be performed and is legally enforceable even on a verbal agreement basis, but it is advised to draft a professional freelance agreement for the following reasons:

• Proof of parties’ intentions, purpose, and terms.
• Legal title of due fees, costs, and expenses for reporting purposes.
• Enhanced comprehensibility and clarity of parties’ rights and duties.

We advise using the simple freelance contract template version to best protect your legal interests.

What is the difference between a freelancer and an employee?

The primary distinction from an employment arrangement lies in the lack of economic risk and subordination. A self-employed freelancer generally:

• Has several clients.
• Assumes costs and expenses personally.
• Defines working schedule freely.
• Is allowed to delegate and outsource work.

Is the freelancer liable for employees and third-party suppliers?

Breach of prohibition to delegate is sufficient grounds for damage claims. In the freelance contract template, the principal may prohibit or allow this. In this second case, the freelancer is liable for any fault of employees or delegates as if they were that of their own.

How can a freelancer agreement be terminated?

Fixed-term agreements come to expiration upon their term without any notice.

Permanent contracts may be terminated with notice. In our example of freelancer form template, you may specify shorter or longer notice periods, provided they are equal for both parties.

Termination for just cause is reserved, in particular for delay in payment, force majeure, or substantial breach of the contract by either of the parties.

What compensation is the principal entitled to in case of breach?

A freelancer is liable for the diligent performance of services, although there is no guarantee of any objective result. Where the principal suffers damage or lost profits due to fault or negligence of the subcontractor, the former is entitled to monetary compensation, as well as coverage of legal fees, if any.

The principal reserves the right to withhold the payment of the fees as a guarantee.

How can parties ensure a successful cooperation experience?

To ensure a successful freelancer experience, it is generally advisable to:

• Verify that the freelancer does not have an employee status.
• Clarify responsibilities, rights of delegation, representation, and competition.
• Determine the regularity and amount of fees, taxes, costs, and material prices to be billed on top.
• Create a professional freelance agreement template based on our sample.
• Stipulate limitations on liability, defect inspection notice, and penalties for breach.

Outline the start and duration of subcontracting cooperation.