Over the past 12 months, several court decisions have provided valuable guidance for negotiating and drafting contracts. We also provided some of our own tips. Below is a brief summary:
Contract Management
In July, we discussed a survey that found businesses are struggling to keep up with contract management. For instance, 65 percent of the respondents had more than 1,000 active contracts, but they are rarely stored in one place. The failure to properly monitor and manage key business contracts can have significant consequences on your bottom line. As we enter the New Year, it is advisable to make plans for an annual contract review.
The Value of Silence
In August, we highlighted that silence is one of the simplest yet most frequently overlooked contract negotiation strategies. Among the many advantages, remaining quiet compels the other party to reinitiate the conversation. Most people will offer additional information intended to convince you to accept their offer. However, if they want to close the deal badly enough, the other party may even offer more favorable terms without you having to propose them.
Drafting consumer contracts
In September, the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that arbitration clauses in consumer contracts must explicitly express that the party is forfeiting the right to sue in court. If not, the agreements will not be enforced. The state’s highest court reasoned that “an average member of the public may not know—without some explanatory comment—that arbitration is a substitute for the right to have one’s claim adjudicated in a court of law.”
The Importance of Proofreading
In October, we discussed a multi-million dollar lawsuit arising out of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which may come down to the placement of a comma in an insurance document. The lesson — always proofread your contracts (and then do it again for good measure).
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The Role of Representation and Warranty Insurance in M&A Transactions
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You Just Received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena in New Jersey: Now What?
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Why Every Business Should Conduct an Annual Insurance Coverage Review
Most New Jersey business owners purchase insurance policies, file them away, and assume they are protected if a claim arises. Without a regular insurance coverage review, many companies discover gaps only after a lawsuit, cyberattack, property loss, or other significant event occurs. An annual insurance coverage review can help businesses identify potential risks, ensure their […]
Demand Letters & Cease and Desist Letters: When to Send One (and When Not To)
Businesses and individuals often encounter situations where another party breaches a contract, fails to pay a debt, or continues harmful conduct. In many such disputes, a precisely drafted demand letter or cease-and-desist letter serves as a powerful legal tool. It can frequently resolve the dispute and avoid litigation. While demand or cease-and-desist letters can resolve […]
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