Terms and Conditions: Definition, Key Terms, Examples

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Terms and conditions are the vital details that businesses put in place to ensure that they protect their rights. However, you should also ensure that they are legal, enforceable, and serve their intended purpose. Otherwise, you leave your company exposed to legal liabilities or unwanted consequences.

Rather than leave your contracts to best guesses, check out the information below to learn more about terms and conditions.

What are Terms and Conditions?

Terms and conditions are part of a contract that ensure parties understand their contractual rights and obligations. Parties draft them into a legal contract, also called a legal agreement, in accordance with local, state, and federal contract laws. They set important boundaries that all contract principals must uphold.

Types of legal contracts that contain terms and conditions include:

Please note, the above list is not exhaustive and there are many more types of legal contracts that could be added.

Several contract types utilize terms and conditions. When there is a formal agreement to create with another individual or entity, consider how you would like to structure your deal and negotiate the terms and conditions with the other side before finalizing anything. This strategy will help foster a sense of importance and inclusion on all sides.

What’s Included in Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are very broad in the abstract sense. However, they contain more specific provisions depending upon the contract size, industry, and complexity. You will find that there are standard components included across several types of terms and conditions.

Terms and conditions may include:

Each one of these terms and conditions has a purpose. Some agreements require certain provisions, while others do not. The only way you can be sure about your terms and conditions requirements is by discussing your project with a contract lawyer.

Purpose of Terms and Conditions

The purpose of terms and conditions is to provide a set of instructions for all parties of a contract. They also offer guidance to courts regarding the intent and purpose of the transaction at the time it was created.

Elements of terms and conditions may include:

Terms and conditions exist to inform people of their rights when engaging in a business transaction. They carry legal implications of which both parties should be aware. Carefully review all contracts before signing them since many do not let you cancel them without penalty before fulfilling your obligations.

Terms and Conditions vs. Terms of Service

Terms and conditions and terms of service are different. Using them interchangeably will result in legal errors or miscommunications. Avoid this situation by reviewing their definitions separately.

Below, check out the differences between terms and conditions vs. terms of service.