Working as a consultant offers flexibility and independence—but it also comes with legal and tax responsibilities. At Hutchinson Thomas, we help consultants understand, negotiate, and formalise their agreements—ensuring your rights are protected and your status is clearly defined.
We regularly advise consultants on:
• New consultancy agreements
• Reviewing and negotiating contract terms
• Clarifying tax status and legal obligations
Our team will ensure your agreement reflects your role accurately, avoids the risks of being classed as an employee, and supports your business goals.
A consultancy agreement should cover:
• Scope of services and deliverables
• Payment terms and invoicing
• Termination clauses
• Intellectual property ownership
• Confidentiality and restrictive covenants
We’ll help you understand the impact of each clause—especially those that could imply an employment relationship, such as overly restrictive controls or obligations.
If you’re creating original work, we’ll ensure the agreement clearly sets out who owns the intellectual property and how it can be used.
HMRC may scrutinise consultancy arrangements to determine whether you’re genuinely self-employed. If they decide otherwise, you could face unexpected tax liabilities.
We can advise you on:
• Structuring your agreement to reflect genuine consultancy
• Whether setting up a service company is appropriate
• How to avoid clauses that blur the line between contractor and employee
Getting the structure right from the start is key to avoiding future complications.
• Clear, practical advice tailored to your consultancy role
• Support with contract drafting, negotiation, and review
• Friendly, experienced team with deep employment law expertise
• Recognised in The Legal 500 and awarded the Law Society Mark of Excellence
Our specialist commercial lawyers offer a one-stop-shop for legal advice for all types of business – from start-ups to established companies.
All of our lawyers are specialists in their area of law. Book in for an initial discussion where we will discuss all of your options with you.
