#13
Contracts & DealsMedium Risk
The contract contains professional terminology or complex clauses you don't understand
Clause Trap
Why It's Dangerous
Legal jargon can conceal terms that work against you. Signing without understanding is effectively surrendering your rights blindly. You have the right to demand an explanation of any clause you don't understand.
Real Case
A contract contained a clause waiving the "defense of prior demand," which the client signed without understanding. It later turned out this meant creditors could pursue the client personally without first going after the company.
* This case has been anonymized. Details have been adjusted to protect privacy.
What To Do
1
You have the right to demand an explanation for anything in a contract you don't understand2
Don't pretend to understand out of embarrassment3
Have an independent lawyer review the contract clause by clause4
Pay special attention to guarantee terms, default conditions, dispute jurisdiction, and rights-waiver clauses