Commercial Contracts for Non-Lawyers: Practical Skills for Global Professionals
5th - 6th March 2026
Online - Live
In today’s business environment, professionals often find themselves reviewing or managing contracts—without having a legal background. This practical course is designed to help business professionals understand commercial contracts by focusing on essential legal concepts, common clauses and effective risk management.
Participants will gain confidence in interpreting agreements, working with legal counsel and negotiating better terms for their companies, businesses and themselves.
Karen Dawson
Karen Dawson is a seasoned legal consultant and trainer with over 20 years of experience in the oil & gas and construction sectors. She has held senior legal roles at Saipem Asia and Sime Darby, advising on major contracts and disputes for clients like ExxonMobil, Total, and PTT.
Learning Outcomes
Key Topics
- Evaluate whether a document is legally binding.
- Understand key legal concepts such as warranties, indemnities, exclusion clauses and liquidated damages.
- Spot red flags, unclear terms, and areas requiring negotiation.
- Apply knowledge of contract types such as fixed-price and cost-reimbursable models.
- Assess insurance and indemnity mechanisms for risk mitigation.
- Utilize supporting documents like NDAs, MOUs and Letters of Intent effectively.
- Determine when and how contracts can be properly terminated.
Reason
To Attend This Training
- Professionals who review, manage, or negotiate contracts but lack legal expertise.
- Organizations aiming to reduce legal risks and enhance internal contract management skills.
- Business units seeking to improve collaboration with legal teams and streamline commercial decisions.
- Individuals looking to boost their confidence in contract interpretation, negotiation, and enforcement.
- Teams involved in cross-border transactions, where understanding risk and legal language is crucial.
Course
Details
DAY 01
Foundations of Commercial Contracts: Legal Concepts, Key Clauses & Risk Management
Session 1: Contract Fundamentals – From Offer to Execution
- Definition of a contract
- Contract lifecycle: from negotiation to close-out
- Legal elements:
- Offer and acceptance
- Consideration under common law
- Capacity and intention to create legal relations
- Certainty and privity of contract
Session 2: Key Terms in Commercial Contracts
- 10 most commonly negotiated terms in contracts
- Reading contracts from a commercial standpoint
- Understanding:
- Representations and warranties
- Conditions precedent and subsequent
- Implied terms
- Guarantees and performance obligations
Session 3: Managing Risk Through Contract Clauses
- Risk allocation tools in contracts:
- Exclusion clauses
- Limitations of liability
- Consequential loss clauses
- Liquidated damages
- Third-party liability
- Types of indemnity provisions
- Understanding:
- Insurance types and coverage
- Subrogation rights
- “Time is of the essence” clauses
- Force majeure clauses
Session 4: Contract Interpretation – What the Courts Consider
- Judicial approaches to contract interpretation
- Key rules of interpretation:
- Contra proferentem
- Express vs implied terms
- Priority of documents and contract hierarchy
DAY 02
Strategic Contract Execution: Pricing, Guarantees, Key Docs & Termination
Session 5: Contract Pricing Models and Responsibilities
- Contracting models:
- Fixed-price / lump sum
- Cost reimbursable
- Time and materials
- Unit price
- Aligning scope with pricing strategy
- Responsibilities and payment risks
Session 6: Bonds, Guarantees and Risk Mitigation
- Tender or bid bonds
- Advance payment guarantees
- Performance bonds
- Parent company guarantees
- Bank guarantees
- Standby letters of credit
- Practical issues in enforcement
Session 7: Important Documents – Getting the Basics Right
- Role and function of each document:
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
- Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
- Letter of Intent (LOI)
- Letter of Award (LOA)
- Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- Legal enforceability and when to use each
Session 8: Ending Contracts – When and How
- Contract duration and expiry
- Termination clauses:
- Termination for cause
- Termination for convenience
- Consequences of termination
Course Fees
Registration Fees:
Book 1 delegate - Pay USD 1,295
Book 2- 3 delegates Pay USD 1,095
Book 4 or more Pay USD 895
Book Now
Get in Touch_____________________________
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