Is a signed contract between a client and small business owner valid?
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Is a signed contract between a client and small business owner valid?
I have a signed contract with a client and was receiving work from them for almost 6 months. There are some problems with being able to do the work because the client has not provided all the necessary tools to produce the work. The client was informed by a friend that contracts do not matter but we have a signed contract. The client has not given work for three weeks now and the contract signed by the client states that client can cancel for no cause upon a 45 day notice or can cancel for cause upon a 30 day notice, specifically stating the cause for cancellation if the non-cancelling party
cures the cause within 15 days of receiving the notice then both parties should put termination for review. I have contacted the client several times and he stated that they would contact me when the send work. The contract also states
Asked on March 8, 2018 under Business Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
Any written contract signed by two parties, in which each party gets something of value (called "consideration"; e.g. one gets work done or services performed, the other party is paid for doing so) is enforceable as per its plain terms; that includes contracts between small businesses and clients.
(One exception which does not here apply: you cannot contract to do something illegal, like commit a crime.)
Therefore, you can enforce the terms of the contract against this client, such as by suing them for "breach of contract" in court, for whatever amount(s) of money or other "damages" you have suffered or lost due to their violation of the contract.
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