How Long Does It Take a Solicitor to Review a Contract?

Imagine this scenario: You’re just about to close a deal—whether it’s for a property purchase, a new job, or a business partnership. The excitement is real, but there’s one crucial hurdle to overcome—the legal review of the contract. How long will that take? The uncertainty is enough to make anyone anxious, especially when important financial or business decisions are on the line. The truth is, there’s no simple, one-size-fits-all answer. However, understanding the factors that influence how long a solicitor takes to review a contract can help set your expectations.

Quick Turnaround vs. Careful Scrutiny

In some cases, you might expect a solicitor to review a simple contract within a few hours or days, especially if they specialize in quick turnarounds or the contract is a standard form with minimal custom clauses. However, even the most seasoned legal experts will tell you that rushing through a contract without a detailed review could leave you exposed to significant risks down the line. For more complex agreements—such as business mergers, property sales with numerous conditions, or employment contracts involving intellectual property rights—the review might take several days or even weeks. Solicitors need to scrutinize every clause carefully to ensure your interests are well-protected.

Factors That Influence the Review Time

1. Complexity of the Contract: A simple agreement, like a freelance work contract, may only require a short review period, possibly under 24 hours. More intricate contracts, involving multiple parties, terms, and financial implications, will understandably take longer. For instance, a commercial lease for a large business might require weeks of review due to the various rights and obligations involved.

2. Solicitor’s Expertise: Another factor that will heavily influence the time taken is the solicitor’s area of specialization. A solicitor who deals with property contracts regularly may be able to complete a review faster than one who specializes in corporate law but has been asked to review a property agreement. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a solicitor with the right expertise for the type of contract you need reviewed.

3. Amendments and Negotiations: Rarely is a contract reviewed without any proposed changes. Most of the time, solicitors will suggest amendments to protect your interests better. This will naturally add time, as the other party’s solicitor will also need to review the changes, leading to rounds of negotiations that can stretch out for days, or even weeks.

4. Urgency and Resources: Many law firms offer “urgent” services for an additional fee. If time is of the essence, opting for an expedited review can significantly shorten the turnaround time. However, rushing through a contract review still carries risks. Even in urgent cases, a solicitor will need enough time to perform a thorough review.

Case Study: A Property Purchase Delay

Consider the case of Sarah, a first-time property buyer. She received her purchase contract and sent it to her solicitor for review. Expecting a quick response, she grew anxious when the review took longer than anticipated—around three weeks in total. Why? The property was part of a larger estate, and the contract included easements, land-use restrictions, and shared ownership rights that needed to be carefully assessed. In the end, Sarah’s solicitor uncovered several clauses that would have been unfavorable had they been left unchallenged. This delay, while frustrating, saved her from future disputes with the neighboring property owners.

Other Crucial Factors

• Contract Language: A contract that includes ambiguous or non-standard language will often require more time to interpret. If the language is unclear or leaves too much room for interpretation, a solicitor may need to clarify these points with the other party’s legal team.

• Volume of Contracts: If a solicitor is reviewing multiple contracts simultaneously, as is often the case in busy legal firms, this could delay the review process. Some firms may assign multiple solicitors to a case to speed things up, but this depends on the firm’s resources.

• External Factors: Sometimes delays occur because a third party, such as a lender or business partner, is involved. If their input is required for certain clauses, waiting for their response can add to the review time.

What You Can Do to Speed Up the Process

While you can’t control every aspect of the contract review process, you can take certain steps to ensure that it moves as efficiently as possible. First, ensure that you provide all relevant documents and information to your solicitor at the outset. Incomplete information can lead to delays as the solicitor seeks clarification. Second, communicate your timeline clearly—if you have a deadline, let your solicitor know upfront. Lastly, choose a solicitor with a proven track record of dealing with your specific type of contract. This way, they’ll be familiar with common issues and may be able to complete the review faster.

Conclusion: Expect the Unexpected

In conclusion, the time it takes a solicitor to review a contract depends on many factors—complexity, the need for negotiations, and the solicitor’s expertise, to name a few. While it’s tempting to rush through the process, especially when a deal seems too good to wait for, the potential risks of overlooking key clauses can be enormous. So, while you can push for urgency, be prepared for the review to take longer than you might hope. After all, thoroughness is essential when it comes to legal protection.