Commercial contracts pack
UK businesses can charge statutory interest on late commercial payments at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed sum of £40 to £100 per invoice, without agreeing it in advance. Most never claim it because the contract and the letter chain are not in place.
Core pack · 12 documents · 78 pages
The short answer
UK businesses can charge statutory interest on late commercial payments at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed sum of £40 to £100 per invoice, without agreeing it in advance. Most never claim it because the contract and the letter chain are not in place.
Who this pack is for
- Service businesses working without written terms
- Anyone chasing invoices with emails rather than a letter chain
- Businesses selling to consumers online, who need cancellation rights right
- Companies engaging subcontractors on handshake terms
- Firms asked for an NDA before a first meeting
Not for you if: You need a bespoke commercial agreement for a large or unusual transaction. Use a solicitor.
What it solves
An invoice is 90 days late and there is nothing in writing to enforce.
A consumer cancels after delivery and claims a refund you did not expect.
A subcontractor dispute turns on terms nobody ever agreed.
What the law requires
Statutory interest on late payment
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 implies a right to interest at 8% above base rate plus a fixed recovery sum, unless the contract provides a substantial remedy. It applies between businesses even with no written contract.
Source: GOV.UK, late commercial payments and interest
Consumer rights you cannot exclude
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 goods must be of satisfactory quality and services carried out with reasonable care. Terms that try to exclude these are unenforceable, and unfair terms guidance from the CMA applies to standard wording.
Source: CMA, unfair contract terms guidance
Distance selling and cancellation
Selling to consumers away from your premises triggers a fourteen day cancellation right and prescribed pre-contract information. Failing to give the cancellation notice extends the period by up to twelve months.
Source: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
What is in the pack
| ID | Document | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| COM-01 | Terms and conditions of sale (goods)Consumer Rights Act 2015 | 9 |
| COM-02 | Terms of service (services)Consumer Rights Act 2015 | 8 |
| COM-03 | Consumer terms with cancellation rightsConsumer Contracts Regs 2013 | 7 |
| COM-05 | Subcontractor agreementCommon law; HMRC status guidance | 8 |
| COM-06 | Mutual NDACommon law | 4 |
| COM-10 | Late payment letter chain (three letters)Pre-action protocol for debt claims | 5 |
| COM-11 | Statutory interest calculation sheetLate Payment Act 1998 | 3 |
And five more: service level agreement, one-way NDA, quotation template, purchase order, debt escalation and pre-action letter.
How updates work
Every document carries a version number and a reviewed date. On the first Tuesday of each month the pack is checked against its primary sources. If anything has changed you receive the updated file and one line explaining what moved and why. If nothing has changed you receive an email saying so.
April and the Budget are the months when most figures move.
Questions
Can I use the business terms with consumers?
No. Consumer sales need the consumer version, which carries cancellation rights and different liability wording. Both are in the pack.
Will these hold up in court?
They are drafted on standard principles and published guidance. Enforceability depends on how they were brought to the other side's attention, which the cover sheet explains.
Does the pack include a debt claim form?
It includes the pre-action letter that must come first. The claim itself is filed through Money Claim Online.
Can I change the payment terms?
Yes, they are placeholders. Terms beyond sixty days between businesses can be challenged as grossly unfair.
How is it delivered?
By email, as Word and PDF files, personalised with your company details.
Sources
Built from published UK primary sources only: CMA, unfair contract terms guidance, Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, GOV.UK, late commercial payments and interest. No secondary or aggregator sources are used.
Order the commercial contracts pack, or ask about an association licence covering your whole membership.
Email support@kaeltripton.comThese documents are drafted from published UK primary sources and are a starting point you adapt to your own circumstances. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and documents you edit become your responsibility.