Contract renewal - working before receiving signed copy

[SueEllen]

No it doesn't. The precedent for that was set in the House of Lords in 1877 and has not been overturned in 140 years.

Poster hasn't heard of verbal contracts

[SueEllen]

A friend of mine had the same situation. A contract has to be signed by both parties to be enforceable. My friend wasn't covered by his liability insurance without a completed contract, just something to bear in mind.

Not in any country within the UK it doesn't unless the contract contains a clause explicitly saying so.

In the case where a contract doesn't have such a clause and isn't signed by one or either party, the actions of both parties show whether a contract is agreed. So if you work and the client pays then you have a contract.

[TheFaQQer]

A contract has to be signed by both parties to be enforceable.

No it doesn't. The precedent for that was set in the House of Lords in 1877 and has not been overturned in 140 years.

[IT Monkey]

A friend of mine had the same situation. A contract has to be signed by both parties to be enforceable. My friend wasn't covered by his liability insurance without a completed contract, just something to bear in mind.

[tag]

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully should be a formality as it's their contract. So I'll continue working for them and hopefully get a signed copy shortly.

[Yonmons]

That scenario has never worried me, sometimes I have gone a full contract without (me) having signed a copy, and vice versa.

[VectraMan]

In my last gig it took 4 months to get a signed contract back.

[Bee]

Hi all,

Have been working on a contract direct with a client that has just expired.

I have accepted an extension and had a new contract which I have signed however, it hasn't been signed by them.

I had signed, scanned and emailed a copy. But apparently their head office is insisting they get 2 physical signed copies posted to them which they will sign and post 1 back to me. These were posted to them but it means that I will be due to restart working for them before I get a copy signed by them.

I was wondering if there were any dangers in doing this?

When I send important documents I turn on on the option "read receipt", in addition, I ask in the email for them to confirm de delivery. In some cases a time for a response.

[PerfectStorm]

Keep working and sort it out over the week (be prepared to do people's admin/chasing for them)

[BlasterBates]

Check with the client on Monday that it really is a formality, it is fairly normal. You won't be worse off if you go in, because you won't get paid for the staying at home.

[northernladuk]

Not ideal but it's not a problem. You've signed it, sent it and they've seen it. Allowing you on site means they accept it. The physical signatures are just process so I'd say you are good to go.

[tag]

Hi all,

Have been working on a contract direct with a client that has just expired.

I have accepted an extension and had a new contract which I have signed however, it hasn't been signed by them.

I had signed, scanned and emailed a copy. But apparently their head office is insisting they get 2 physical signed copies posted to them which they will sign and post 1 back to me. These were posted to them but it means that I will be due to restart working for them before I get a copy signed by them.

I was wondering if there were any dangers in doing this?