Independent Contractor Agreement template UK

Use our Independent Contractor Agreement template to create your own legal document easily. Agree to terms with a contractor to receive a service and ensure your interests are protected.

Trusted by 3,526 users.

Last Update 25 March 2025

Fill forms in a few steps

Save, print, & download

Done in 5 minutes

Table of Contents:

What is an independent contractor?
Independent Contractor Agreement sample
When to use an Independent Contractor Agreement?
What should be included in an Independent Contractor Agreement?
How to write an Independent Contractor Agreement
Independent Contractor Agreement related documents
FAQs about Independent Contractor Agreements

What is an independent contractor?

An independent contractor is a self-employed professional who provides services to clients under a contract for services, rather than as an employee.

Unlike employees, who work directly for a company and receive a salary and employment benefits, independent contractors operate their businesses and take responsibility for their successes and failures.

Contractors offer their expertise on a project-by-project basis, allowing them the flexibility to work with multiple clients.

In the UK, determining whether someone is an Independent Contractor involves understanding their:

Tax status
Control over work
Type of agreements

Independent contractors are responsible for their own tax affairs, including the payment of Income Tax and National Insurance through the Self-Assessment tax return system.

Types of contractor services

Independent Contractors will offer services in one or more areas. You might offer or find services in one or more of the fields below:

Personal assistant
Photographer
Interior designer
Repairman
DJ
Babysitter
Electrician
Plumber
Gardener

Use our Independent Contractor Agreement template to create your document in the field that applies to you and your needs.

Independent Contractor Agreement sample

Creating legal forms can be difficult if you do not know where to begin. If you’re not sure how to start drafting your own document or what one should look like, it’s best to look over an example.

Review the document below to better understand how your agreement should look when completed.

uk-independent-contractor-agreement-uk-sample

PDF WORD

When to use an Independent Contractor Agreement?

An Independent Contractor Agreement in the UK is essential whenever professional services are completed outside the traditional employer-employee set-up, such as working full-time or part-time for a company or organisation.

If you fall into this category as you are working for yourself or hiring someone for freelance employment, here is when you should use an Independent Contractor Agreement:

Starting a new project: Before beginning any work, you should come to terms and formalise an agreement.
Engaging in short-term or project-based work: An agreement clarifies expectations for tasks with a defined timeframe or specific objectives.
Working with multiple clients: If you juggle various projects simultaneously, agreements with each client keep your engagements organised and protected.
Plan on modifying terms: Any change in the scope of work, compensation, or project timelines should be documented and agreed upon through a revised contract.

Ultimately, securing an Independent Contractor Agreement is pivotal for safeguarding the interests and expectations of both parties in freelance or self-employment engagements, contributing to a smooth and transparent working relationship.

What should be included in an Independent Contractor Agreement?

You must have all the necessary details to guarantee mutual understanding between you and the other party in your agreement.

Here are key components that should be included:

Parties' details: Full names and contact information of each party.
Scope of Work: Detailed description of the services to be provided, including any deliverables or milestones.
Payment terms: Amount and time of payments and how payment will be provided.
Duration of agreement: Start and end dates of the contract, including any provisions for extension.
Terms of termination: Conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement.
Confidentiality and intellectual property: Clauses to protect sensitive information and outline the ownership of any work produced.
Liability and insurance: Details of any insurance requirements and liability clauses.
Governing law: The legal jurisdiction that will govern the agreement.

Including these elements in your Independent Contractor Agreement will help safeguard your interests, clarify expectations, and minimise potential disputes.

How to write an Independent Contractor Agreement

Creating an Independent Contractor Agreement in the UK is straightforward if you follow the steps below.

Complete each step to create a detailed agreement successfully:

State the full names, addresses, and contact details of each party involved in the agreement.
Detail the services to be provided, including any specific tasks, deliverables, and deadlines.
Specify the payment amount, schedule, and method. Include rates for services, invoicing frequency, and any late payment penalties.
List the start and end dates of the contract. Include terms for an extension if applicable.
Define how either party can terminate the agreement, including notice periods and any obligations upon termination.
Include clauses that safeguard sensitive information and specify the ownership of materials produced.
Mention any insurance requirements and how liability is handled within the scope of work.
Indicate the legal jurisdiction and the agreed method for resolving any disputes.
Ensure both parties sign the agreement. In the UK, while not always necessary, it's advisable to have witnesses to the signing to add an extra layer of authenticity.

You can make the entire writing process easier with our Independent Contractor Agreement template. Our template allows you to customise your document with the information you want to include.

FAQs about Independent Contractor Agreements

There may be some confusion or specific questions you have regarding how to set up your contract. If that’s the case, examine the answers to some of the most common questions below to clear up any doubts.

How can I get an Independent Contractor Agreement?

Both contractors and clients often go to a lawyer to draw up their contracts; however, this usually comes with large fees.

Alternatively, you can use our printable Independent Contractor Agreement UK-specific template.

With our form, you can customise your legal document and include all the terms you wish without paying hefty fees.

How do I get started as an independent contractor?

There are several things you must do to set yourself up as an independent contractor in the UK. You will have to:

Identify your service or niche
Register as self-employed with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Consider setting up a separate business bank account to manage your finances
Network and market your services

Lastly, ensure you have a solid and personalised Independent Contractor Agreement to use with your clients.

Independent Contractor VS Employee: What is the Difference?

In the UK, employees typically work under a contract of employment, have set hours, and are subject to the employer's control, receiving a regular salary and benefits like holiday pay.

Independent Contractors, on the other hand, operate under a contract for services, have more control over how they work, bear their own financial risks, and do not receive employee benefits. They typically provide services to multiple clients, highlighting their business independence.

If you have any doubts about a contractor’s tax status, you can check it with the CEST tool on the UK government website.

You are only a few steps away from your own Independent Contractor Agreement!

Download our professional examples

PDF WORD

Preview of your Independent Contractor Agreement

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT

THIS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of _____________, ____, ________.

THE CLIENT:
_________
of _________
(the "Client")

THE CONTRACTOR:
_________
of _________
(the "Contractor")

PURPOSE OF HIRING THE CONTRACTOR

A. The Client has engaged the Service Provider or Contractor because said Contractor possesses special skills and qualifications, as well as knowledge and experience, necessary to provide services that are of value to the Client.

B. The Contractor has agreed to be engaged as an Independent Contractor to provide the Client the services set forth, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the premises and mutual promises described above, as well as the covenants and agreements herein set forth, the Client and the Independent Contractor (individually the "Party" and collectively the "Parties" to this Agreement) agree as follows:

SCOPE OF SERVICES

1. The Client hereby engages the services of the Independent Contractor, and the Independent Contractor agrees to provide to the Client the services described further herein (the "Services"):

• _________.

2. The Services shall also include any other tasks agreed to by the Parties, under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

***The Independent Contractor agrees to provide such Services to the Client. The Client agrees to not control the manner or means by which the Independent Contractor performs the Services, including the time and place the Independent Contractor performs the services.

TERM OF AGREEMENT

3. The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall be valid from the date of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect until all Services are provided, unless terminated earlier, or unless extended by mutual agreement expressed in writing signed by both parties prior to the expiration of the term, as provided herein.

PERFORMANCE

4. The Parties agree to do their best efforts to satisfy the performance of the terms of this Agreement.

PAYMENT

5. During the Term, the Client shall pay the Independent Contractor for services as follows: a flat fee of £_________ (the "Payment").

6. The Independent Contractor shall submit an invoice to the Client when all services have been completed.

7. Payments for invoice amounts submitted to the Client by the Independent Contractor shall be due within 30 days of receipt of the invoice from the Independent Contractor.

8. Provided that the Client terminates the Agreement before all services are completed by the Independent Contractor and the latter has provided partial services under the Agreement, then such Independent Contractor shall be entitled to payment for the amounts earned for services given prior to the effective date of the termination of the Agreement. However, the Independent Contractor shall be entitled to such payment if and only if the Independent Contractor has not breached the Agreement.

9. All income tax liabilities and National Insurance or other contributions related to the Payment will be the responsibility of the Contractor. Furthermore, the Contractor shall indemnify the Client for any payments required by the Client.

10. The Independent Contractor shall be responsible for paying all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the services, and shall not be reimbursed for any of these expenses.

TRADE SECRETS

11. Trade secrets (the "Trade Secrets") is defined as information, including any kind of formula or compound, pattern or test results, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process, tool or mechanism that: 1) Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons, other than the Client that owns it, who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and, 2) Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy in order to protect the Client from being caused economical harm.

12. The Independent Contractor agrees that he or she will not disclose, divulge, reveal, report or use, for any purpose, any Trade Secrets which the Independent Contractor has obtained, unless as otherwise authorised by the Client, agreed by the Parties or as required by law.

OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

13. The Client will exclusively own all the Intellectual Property and its associated materials developed or produced under this Agreement, including any Trade secrets, moral rights, relevant registrations or applications for registration, and rights in any patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, industrial design, and trade name. The Client will have unrestricted use of the Intellectual Property without any limitations.

14. The Client shall own all the Independent Contractor work product or deliverables in this Agreement; all ideas, inventions, concepts, know-how, development tools, techniques, and any other proprietary material or information that may be developed by the Independent Contractor in connection with performance of the services, and all related patent rights, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights, and which the Independent Contractor shall not use for any purpose, unless as authorised in this Agreement by the Client. The Independent Contractor shall be responsible for any and all damages resulting from the unauthorised use of the Client's Intellectual Property.

RETURN OF PROPERTY

15. Upon the written request of the Client, the Independent Contractor shall return all documents and other tangible objects, which in any way relate to the Client's Confidential Information, or any other type of documents representing Confidential Information and all copies thereof which are in the possession of the Independent Contractor shall be and remain the property of the Client. Upon termination of this Agreement, any property, documentation, records, or confidential information which is the property of the Client shall be promptly returned to said party upon its request. In no event shall the Independent Contractor have the right to use or exploit the Client's property for any purpose after its return.

CAPACITY/INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

16. The Client and the Independent Contractor each expressly agree that they are creating an independent contractor relationship and that the Parties understand that in providing the services under this Agreement, nothing can be understood and construed as creating an employer-employee relationship. Further, the Contractor and the Client acknowledge that this Agreement is solely a contract for service and does not establish any partnership or joint venture between them.

RIGHT OF SUBSTITUTION

17. Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, the Contractor shall have the authority to subcontract a third party any obligation under this Agreement.

18. If the Contractor were to hire a third party to carry out any of the obligations arising under this Agreement, such Contractor shall pay said third party directly, who shall be considered an agent of the Contractor. However, the Client is still responsible for paying the Contractor for the services herein rendered.

CONTRACTOR AUTONOMY

19. Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, the Contractor shall decide and have control over the decisions and methods undertaken to provide the Services under this Agreement. The Client shall not direct, under any circumstance, the Contractor, who shall work independently of the Client. This notwithstanding, the Client shall bind the Contractor to respond to its reasonable needs and concerns.

EQUIPMENT

20. Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, the Contractor shall provide, at its own expense, every piece of equipment, other items, or parts necessary to deliver the Services under this Agreement.

NOTICE

21. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given by first class U.S. Mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage pre-paid and delivered to the Parties at the following addresses:

a. _________
_________

b. _________
_________

or to any other address that the Parties may use to notify each other.

INDEMNIFICATION

22. The Parties shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each other and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, employees, contractors, and agents, even beyond the termination of this Agreement, from and against all claims and losses (including costs of defence and reasonable attorney's fees) of any nature arising out of, resulting from, or relating to, the Independent Contractor's provision of services or violation of the terms of this Agreement. This indemnification will survive the termination of this Agreement.

MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT

23. This Agreement cannot be modified, or any performance or condition waived, in whole or in part, except by a written document signed by the Party or an authorised representation of said Party against whom enforcement of the modification or waiver is sought.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

24. Time is of the essence in this Agreement. No extension or variation of this Agreement will operate as a waiver of this provision.

ASSIGNMENT AND SUBCONTRACTORS

25. The Independent Contractor shall not assign, sell, transfer, delegate, or otherwise dispose of any Independent Contractor rights or material duties or obligations under this Agreement without the express written consent of the Client. Any purported assignment, transfer, or delegation without the consent of the Client shall be void.

Furthermore, all services must be performed by the Independent Contractor and the Independent Contractor shall not use, voluntarily or by operation of law, any subcontractors to perform any duties or responsibilities under this Agreement, except with the written consent of the Client.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

26. This Agreement, including all attachments, contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes and replaces any prior agreement, written or oral, that may otherwise apply. Any statement, representations, and/or understanding not set in this Agreement, including the printed terms of any invoice or other document, such as warranties, collateral agreement or condition affecting this Agreement, shall have no force or effect over this Agreement.

BINDING AGREEMENT

27. This Agreement will enure to the benefit of and be binding on the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, and permitted successors and assigns.

GOVERNING LAW

28. The validity and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of England.

SEVERABILITY

29. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be valid and effective under applicable law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, it shall be deemed separable from, and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of, the remaining provision of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be enforced.

WAIVER

30. No waiver by either Party of any default or breach of the provisions of this Agreement shall in any way prejudice the complying Party or be construed as a waiver with respect to any subsequent default or breach by the other Party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have hereunto signed their names under hand and seal on this ________ day of ________________, ________.

_____________________________
_________
Date: _________________________