HOW TO FIX A POORLY WRITTEN CONTRACT (AND WHEN TO START OVER)
“The contract was signed but made no sense. I didn’t know what to do – and by then it was too late.”
Petr had a contract drafted by an acquaintance who “knows law.” When it turned out that the contract had no penalty clause for delays and lacked a key attachment, it was already signed. The other party failed to fulfill their obligations – and Petr had no way to enforce his rights. Legal costs ultimately exceeded the contract’s value.
How to fix a contract that’s already signed? What can be amended with an addendum, when is it better to renegotiate a new contract, and how to tell when a document is too flawed to “rescue”? Practical tips from a lawyer.
⚖️ What “contract correction” really means
Contracts aren’t static – if both parties agree, they can be amended, supplemented, or entirely replaced. There are 3 main approaches:
Addendum to the contract – ideal for minor errors or clarifications (e.g. changing deadlines, adding a penalty clause).
New contract – when the original document is confusing, incomplete, or invalid.
Interpretation and clarification – if the wording is unclear but both parties agree on the intent.
⚠️ When fixing isn’t worth it
Sometimes trying to fix a contract is just wasted time and energy:
it was cobbled together from multiple templates with no coherence,
crucial provisions are missing or contradictory,
it violates the law and is invalid,
the actual agreement between parties is unclear or undocumented.
In such cases, it’s better to draft a brand new contract – clearly, concisely, and legally sound.
🧠 How a lawyer approaches contract correction
Legal analysis of the original document
Clarifying intentions and identifying risks
Proposing specific amendments or addenda
Filling in missing clauses
Ensuring compliance with law and best practice
📚 Real-life example:
A business owner signed a cooperation agreement with an IT company. The contract lacked any deliverable specification. When the result didn’t meet expectations, the company claimed they had delivered what was agreed. The lawyer proposed an addendum with clear technical details – but the other side refused. The dispute ended up in costly arbitration.
✅ Lawyer’s recommendation:
If you’re unsure about your contract – don’t wait until problems arise.
Fixing can be quick and effective. But sometimes, you need a fresh start. The key is recognizing the difference – and that’s where a legal expert comes in.
Do you have a contract you’re not sure is solid?
Send it over for a review. I’ll let you know whether it needs a tweak – or a full rewrite.
Contact a legal professional – I specialize in contract law.
Learn more here.
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- Naposledy aktualizováno: 28/06/2025
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HOW TO FIX A POORLY WRITTEN CONTRACT (AND WHEN TO START OVER)
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