Reneging On A Contract

**Ardesco** · 2 July 2007, 11:24

If you have not signed anything you are not bound yet, if you don't agree with the terms and conditions in the contract you are always free to walk away....

**xara** · 2 July 2007, 11:26

Originally posted by Ardesco

If you have not signed anything you are not bound yet, if you don't agree with the terms and conditions in the contract you are always free to walk away....

Thanks for your reply. Problem is I was given a draft contract beforehand and agreed (verbally/by email) to the Ts&Cs. But it´s true that I haven´t signed anything on paper.

**malvolio** · 2 July 2007, 11:34

Email is a signed document...

**Ardesco** · 2 July 2007, 11:42

Originally posted by xara

Thanks for your reply. Problem is I was given a draft contract beforehand and agreed (verbally/by email) to the Ts&Cs.

Enjoy your new contract, and for the future remember if you have more than one thing in the pipeline don't agree to the first offer you get unless you are sure you want to accept it.

**where did my id go?** · 2 July 2007, 11:43

Originally posted by malvolio

Email is a signed document...

If the contract is outside the EU then that might not be so? Surely depends on where the contract is and what the T&Cs are ?

**malvolio** · 2 July 2007, 11:50

Originally posted by where did my id go?

If the contract is outside the EU then that might not be so? Surely depends on where the contract is and what the T&Cs are ?

Depends which legal system the contract is written under. If it's English (or Scottish) Law, then you're stuffed. I have no idea how other countries see such things but I would be surprised if it was significantly different.

You can still not start, just don't expect to get any work from that agency or client again, nor from any related agencies, nor any sympathy from 99% of the people who haunt this board when the agency sues for consequential losses, which they may do. But I suggest you start by talking to the agent...

**Bluebird** · 2 July 2007, 13:43

Originally posted by malvolio

Depends which legal system the contract is written under. If it's English (or Scottish) Law, then you're stuffed. I have no idea how other countries see such things but I would be surprised if it was significantly different.

You can still not start, just don't expect to get any work from that agency or client again, nor from any related agencies, nor any sympathy from 99% of the people who haunt this board when the agency sues for consequential losses, which they may do. But I suggest you start by talking to the agent...

Mal, even though the gig is outside EU, the chances are the agency is UK based in which case UK law applies.

As you point out thought, reneging on said contract is morally wronganyway, and quite possibly legally wrong wherever it's based...

**xara** · 2 July 2007, 16:22

Thanks all for your comments. I did suspect email was pretty binding.

Fortunately there is a very short notice period initially (3 days). But the whole thing is not due to begin for quite a while, so I would have thought that I am actually saving them time and hassle by just pulling out. I guess I will just go there and immediately serve notice.

**Cooperinliverp00l** · 3 July 2007, 07:23

Originally posted by xara

Thanks all for your comments. I did suspect email was pretty binding.

Fortunately there is a very short notice period initially (3 days). But the whole thing is not due to begin for quite a while, so I would have thought that I am actually saving them time and hassle by just pulling out. I guess I will just go there and immediately serve notice.

What's do good about the second contract that is making you want to not take your first ?

Reneging On A Contract