Need a Contract Reviewed? 3 Reasons Why You Should Speak With A Lawyer. (2025 Updated)

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When you’re running a business, you exchange contracts all the time.

You’ll have contracts with your customers, your business partners, employees, suppliers, manufacturers and independent contractors. In today’s business environment, particularly in 2025, it’s crucial to ensure that these agreements are not only clear but also reflect the evolving legal frameworks and market conditions.

And, usually, these contracts create legally binding obligations for your business.

With each contract, it’s always important to understand what you’re getting yourself into. You’ll need to determine whether the contract’s terms are clear, fair and tailored to the specific needs of your business – especially when considering emerging issues such as data privacy and global supply chain challenges. For further reading on ensuring your commercial documents are robust, check out our Legal Documents for Business guide.

This is where a Contract Review comes in.

Put simply, these reviews ensure you understand what you’re signing up to.

But exactly why do you need a lawyer to review a contract?

Here are 3 reasons why.

1. A Lawyer Can Tell You the Key Legal Risks and Issues Associated with the Contract.

While a contract might seem simple and straightforward at a quick glance, a good lawyer will be able to identify any legal risks or potential pitfalls hidden within the fine print. In 2025, with rules continually updating – such as those under New Zealand’s Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act – having expert guidance is more important than ever.

Lawyers are trained to interpret the law and its practical implications – particularly if any terms could be deemed ‘unfair’ and therefore void. For instance, you might want to check out our detailed insights on what constitutes a legally binding contract and the impact of unfair terms.

An experienced lawyer can tell you what appears standard in an agreement and highlight any clauses that may be out of line with current legislative trends.

For example, imagine you are a business reselling goods from a manufacturer. Ordinarily, you’d have some form of a Manufacturers Agreement, which would set out the terms of supply, delivery, payment, liability limitations and more.

However, if the manufacturer is not clear enough in the contract about their obligation to deliver supplies on time, this ambiguity can lead to significant issues – such as dissatisfied customers and potential loss of reputation. A lawyer’s review would ensure that such obligations are crystal clear and enforceable.

Additionally, terms that seem unreasonable at face value might be included, so it is critical to have a professional eye that can flag clauses which may be considered unfair under New Zealand law.

2. You Can Understand What the Contract Means for Your Business’ Future.

Beyond merely flagging risks, a lawyer can help you understand the long-term consequences of what you’re agreeing to. Contracts often define your business’s right to operate, grow, and collaborate. Whether a contract has a fixed term or is open-ended, knowing its future implications is key.

For example, as a freelancer or a small business owner, you might be asked to sign agreements that impose restraints on your future activities. This could include restrictive clauses concerning intellectual property. You wouldn’t want to inadvertently assign your existing intellectual property – or trade mark rights – to another party if you plan to reuse that work in future projects.

Another common scenario is encountering a restraint of trade clause. For example, if a contract prohibits you from engaging with competitors even after the agreement concludes, it could unduly limit your future business opportunities. Clearly understanding such terms ensures that you remain free to expand your client base.

Engaging with a seasoned lawyer means you will have clarity on your rights and obligations, and you’ll know whether any clauses require negotiation or modification to better protect your interests. This forward-thinking approach is vital for planning your business strategy in today’s competitive market.

3. A Contract Review Ensures You Get a Good Deal.

A comprehensive contract review does more than just assess risks – it also identifies opportunities. A knowledgeable commercial lawyer will advise you on how to leverage the terms of a contract for mutual benefit.

Having familiarity with standard industry practices means your lawyer might recommend adjustments that save you money or enhance operational flexibility. For instance, when negotiating a term sheet during capital raising, an experienced startup lawyer can pinpoint clauses that might otherwise limit future funding options.

Negotiating beneficial terms can directly influence the strength of your business deal. When you enter into a contract well-informed, you can negotiate more favourable conditions that protect your interests – something that is essential for both short-term gains and long-term success.

Moreover, with the business landscape evolving rapidly as we move further into 2025, understanding the commercial context – whether related to digital transformation or new regulatory requirements – can provide a competitive edge. Exploring topics such as starting a delivery company or reviewing our business set up guides can offer additional insights into aligning your contractual strategies with modern business practices.

Need a Lawyer to Review a Contract?

Whether you’re unsure about a contract you’re about to sign, want to understand obligations from an existing agreement, or are simply not clear on what a contract means for your business – it’s wise to involve a lawyer. Our experienced team can help clarify your rights and negotiate better terms on your behalf.

A competent lawyer can break down the complexities, highlight any potential issues, and advise you on the best way forward. While a document might look simple and straightforward, the underlying terms could touch on very complex areas of law, with some clauses potentially rendered void under current New Zealand law.

If you need help understanding the legal ramifications of a contract or wish to ensure that you’re getting a good deal, we’re here to assist. Our tailored services, including our Contract Review Package, are designed to give you peace of mind as you navigate your business relationships in 2025 and beyond.

Come and chat to our friendly team on 0800 002 184, or drop us a line at [email protected].

Regie Anne Gardoce

Regie is a lawyer at Sprintlaw, with a law degree from UNSW. Regie has previous experience working across law firms and tech startups, and has brought these passions together in her work at Sprintlaw.

Amelia Abbott

Amelia is a commercial lawyer with a background in major projects, IP and IT outsourcing. Before joining the Sprintlaw team, Amelia worked at two national law firms and completed her studies in Law and Psychology at the New Zealand National University.