The legal review process outlines steps to take while signing a contract to avoid major legal complications in the future. While signing a contract, it is essential to check many details of the property, depending on the type of contract. If you are signing any contract, you should know every detail within it and agree to abide by it.
What Is a Legal Review?
The legal review process not only involves checking the agreement but also aims to ensure that all the relevant proofs and documents that support the contract are present. Furthermore, in this process, the details from the agreement, the documents present, and the needs of both parties are matched. The main aim of a legal document review is to analyze every detail mentioned within the contract carefully and cross-check them to make it foolproof. Having a legal document review process done early before signing can help you go a long way and prevent any legal complications in the future.
For example, in the case of a residential rental agreement, if the amount decided is Rs. 25,000 per month, and in the contract, it is mentioned as Rs. 35,000 per month, the tenant is legally obligated to pay that amount if they sign it. However, on the other hand, if they fail to agree to the terms, the other party can legally file a case and may sue you. Thus, it is essential to go through the document thoroughly before signing.
Who Reviews a Legal Document?
The legal document review is complicated, and you must consider hiring an expert. Lawyers play a significant role in reviewing the document as they are experienced professionals who can conduct the process better.
How Can a Legal Document Review Process Help You?
Getting your documents and contracts cross-checked is essential before signing the contract. A legal document review is a simple step before signing an agreement and must not be missed. It is essential to get a document review done for several reasons. Here are some of them-
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Collection of All Documents in One Place
Having all the documents handy in one place is essential. During the legal document review process, a lawyer looks out for all the relevant and necessary documents and collects them in one place. It comes in handy when filing for the application in court and moving toward proceedings.
A lawyer also sorts them in order and arranges them properly. This way, all the documents are readily available as and when needed. It is also easy to find them as per requirement. If there are any legal complications, a lawsuit could be filed. Other options when legal complications arise are negotiation, mediation, or alternative dispute resolution.
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Verification of Primary Documents
Contracts are based on primary documents. If these documents are forged in any manner, then the contract becomes completely wrong. Due to this, either party can be easily fudged. For example, in the case of a rental agreement, if the property owner has forged about the total square feet of the property, for instance, it is mentioned as 150 square feet instead of 100 square feet, the tenant shall end up paying more rental amount.
In a legal document review, a lawyer verifies all the primary documents and ensures they are accurate and not forged. For instance, in a similar situation above, where the tenant ended up paying more rent, it can be avoided if a legal document review is done. The lawyer shall collect not only documents but also verify them. Like in this situation, they are most likely to get a blueprint of the original building plan to check the total square feet area of the property.
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Fool proofing the Contract
Some details may be missed during the drafting process, or essential terms may not be added. It can quickly happen with an ordinary individual trying to draft a contract. Before a legal review, a lawyer learns more about your requirements from the agreement. They make notes and ensure that you get what you want.
Accordingly, they check your contract and foolproof it. They review every detail mentioned in the contract and verify that it is legally binding. Furthermore, a lawyer knows all the current legal norms and rules. Therefore, they check whether the contract is legally valid and follows the current government rules.
Other Benefits of Having a Lawyer
A lawyer is an expert in legal proceedings. If you are even planning on signing a contract, it is advised to have a lawyer. A lawyer will help you in many ways, such as:
- Understand your needs and requirements from the contract better. They help you understand what more you can expect from the contract and what you need to take care of.
- Setting up the contract duration. The lawyer suggests a defined contract duration based on your requirements and current market trends.
- Providing guidance on the contract renewal process by helping you understand your current needs and negotiate any changes that need to be made.
- Helps you in case of contract renewal by understanding how your current needs have changed after the initial contract was made.
- Verification of documentation by cross-checking each document for the sources.
- Check on the current government policies and ensure that the contract abides by them.
Key Terms
- Contract Duration: The period for which the contract is valid.
- Contract Renewal: The contract becomes null and void after the contract duration. If both parties agree, the contract is renewed with the necessary changes.
Conclusion
During the contract documentation, it is possible that the contract doesn't align with the current market rules and regulations. Therefore, a legal document review is done by a lawyer, who closely analyzes and checks every detail mentioned within the contract. They also collect the necessary documents, sort and arrange them and verify them as stated in the contract. Hiring an expert team of lawyers from the ContractsCounsel can help you conduct this efficiently.