Workshop on Basic Principles of Contract Drafting

Program Overview:

A well drafted contract is capable of identifying what is important and truly necessary in the contract while leaving out unnecessary language. Poorly drafted contract uses all kinds of funny phrases and useless „legalese‟ to impress. This makes it difficult for those who will actually work with the contract to understand its provisions and clauses. This program on “Basic Principles of Contract Drafting” will help participants to understand that many contract provisions can be reduced to a minimum, thereby improving it without reducing their effectiveness. The general drafting principles is the part most closely related to grammar and focuses on techniques to keep your contract precise.

For whom:

This program is designed for decision-makers involved in drafting, reviewing and understanding contract terms, Contracts managers, Project & Procurement Professionals, In-house Legal Advisers, Engineers and other technical professionals who are required to prepare technical specifications or proposals for contract drafting.

Learning objectives:

At the end of the program, participants will be able to;

•          draft clear and concise contract (reduce ambiguity in contracts);
•          use the general writing principles applicable to contract drafting;
•          establish the agreement of Offer, Acceptance and Consideration;
•          understand the elements of law and contract term and condition;

• evaluate framed agreements, standard terms and clauses in contract drafting; and
• acquire the essential knowledge and skills needed to draft, read and understand contracts

Course Outline:

Day 1: Process of Contract Drafting;

•          Elements of Effective Contracts
•          Fundamental Policies and Values of Contract Law
•          Sources of Contract Law
•          General Writing Principles Applicable to Contract Drafting

o   Using Defined Terms

Day 2: Contract Principles

•          Basic Attributes of the Contractual Relationship
•          Overview of Contract Standard Provisions  
•          Promises and Conditions
•          Warranties

Day 3: Establishing Agreement, Rights and Obligations,

Remedies

•           Establishing an Agreement:

o   The Offer,

o   The Acceptance and Consideration

•          Remedies

Day 4: Planning Ahead for Problems;

Contract Interpretation

•           Termination Provisions Section
•           Impracticality of Performance and

Frustration of Purpose Section

•          Risk Allocation in Contracts Section
•          Clauses that Address the Possibility of

Future Litigation

Day 5: Other Important Clauses; Assembling Contracts

•          Understanding General Clauses Section
•          Assignments Section
•          Contract Interpretation Issues
•          Class Exercises:
•          Exercise: Redrafting Skills Exercise
•          Exercises: Does a Contract Exist?
•          Exercise: Analyzing Promises and Conditions Section
•          Exercise: Drafting Termination Provisions Section

Training Methodology

Lectures, discussions, exercises, and case studies will be used to reinforce these teaching/learning methods.

ADEBAYO, BAMIDELE OLASEHINDE- B.Sc. (Political Science); LL. B; B.L; LL.M; PhD (in view); FCIS, ACIPMN, MNITD; MNIM, MIBA. Adebayo is a seasoned and experienced legal practitioner of nearly three decades work experience. Adebayo is a graduate of University of Lagos where he studied Law at first degree and Masters Levels with outstanding performance. He attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar. Adebayo also studied Political Science at first degree level at the then Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University). Adebayo is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Adebayo, at different times in his working career, has worked with Negris Holdings Limited as the Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser; Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria as the Assistant Registrar (Marketing and Corporate Affairs) and later Deputy Registrar of the Institute. He also had a stint at Gani Adetola-Kaseem (SAN) Legal Practitioners as a Senior Counsel, among others. Adebayo is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management and the International Bar Association, among many other professional bodies.  He has facilitated in many workshops and Conferences. He will join others to share their experiences on this program.

Abosede Eniola Ogundimu – LLB, BL., LLM - Former Contract Manager – Raw/Packaging Materials, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Currently Group Audit, Legal and Compliance Manager, Quinn McGrath Limited. Mrs. Ogundimu has worked and obtained expertise in legal services, manufacturing, agro-allied, agriculture, banking; food, beverage and tobacco, oil and gas. Her key skills and experience include negotiation; legal advisory; mediation; advocacy; corporate secretaryship; corporate governance; corporate administration; internal audits and reviews; compliance audits and reviews; contract negotiation, review and drafting. She is a member, Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association (IBA), Product Law and Advertising Committee of the Legal Practice Division of the IBA. She will join others to share her experience on this program. 

Group nomination of 5 and above participants attracts 10% discount