Software Developer Contract (Consultancy Agreement via Personal Service Company)

If you are a Software Developer working through a personal service company (also known as a PSC), and you are providing services to another business, then you can use this fully customisable contract template.

This template includes the necessary clauses and terms to ensure that the contract is legally binding and sets out the services offered, your responsibilities, your client's rights, and other important legal matters.

This contract is drafted in a way which makes it clear that you are not an employee of the client company but working for them as a consultant or contractor.

Likewise, if you are a company who is looking to hire a Software Developer as a consultant or contractor to provide services to your company, you can use this template.

It sets out the terms and conditions under which the Software Developer will provide their services and defines the typical commercial terms such as payment, term and termination as well as the assignment of IP to the company and ensures the Software Developer is legally bound to work according to your specifications.

The agreement protects both parties by clearly defining the expectations and responsibilities of each, and can help avoid disputes down the road.

Companies defined as medium and large sized, as well as public authorities need to comply with IR35 to ensure the consultant should not be treated as an employee. For more information, see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-off-payroll-working-ir35.

Carefully consider whether you want to include any post-termination restrictions in this agreement as these could increase the risk that an arrangement falls inside IR35.

By default, contractors own the IP of their work under UK law. However, this contract assigns the IP of their work to the company hiring them.