Mistakes That Can Kill Contracts (Part 3 – Mistakes 7, 8 & 9)

Let’s dive into the last three common mistakes that can make even a strong contract fall apart 👇

❌ 7th Mistake – Using Vague Terms That Confuse Both Sides

Clarity is everything in contracts! When terms are left vague, both parties risk disputes later.

⚡ Common pitfalls:

🔹 Ambiguity in pricing (e.g., “as applicable”)

🔹 No clarity on delivery location/method

🔹 Undefined acceptance criteria

🔹 Over-general terms like “as per best industry practice”

🔹 Multiple interpretations of key clauses

👉 Tip: Always use precise language that leaves no room for multiple meanings.

❌ 8th Mistake – Making Contracts Too Complex

Complexity doesn’t equal protection. A contract should be easy to read and easy to act upon.

⚡ Where teams go wrong:

🔹 Overuse of legal jargon 📜

🔹 Repetition of the same clause in multiple sections

🔹 Adding irrelevant legal clauses

🔹 No executive summary/highlights ✨

🔹 Hard-to-navigate structure for vendor or user teams

👉 Tip: Simplicity builds trust and ensures compliance.

Please refer to my YouTube video on this article as per the link below:

❌ 9th Mistake – Using Generic Agreement Templates Without Customization

A one-size-fits-all approach can backfire ⚠️ Every deal has unique risks.

⚡ Common mistakes:

🔹 Including clauses meant for other contract types

🔹 Leaving placeholders blank (e.g., credit days, penalties) ⏳

🔹 Outdated references to laws ⚖️

🔹 Missing project-specific risks or SLAs

🔹 Generic terms that don’t reflect real business context

👉 Tip: Customize every contract to the project, industry, and jurisdiction.

✅ Key Takeaway: The best contracts are clear, simple, and tailored to the deal. Avoid vagueness, over-complexity, and generic templates – they can cost both money 💰 and relationships 🤝.