Internal contract
An internal contract is one that exists between a principal and an agent, i.e. the agent is legally appointed to act on its behalf. An external contract is one that exists between a principal and a third party, usually with the facilitation of an agent.
A service level agreement (SLA) is a common type of internal contract, which sets out what a supplier/service provider is required to provide to the client, and to what standard.
For more information, see Service level agreement.
Internal contracts can be prepared within an organisation, i.e. between teams or departments, or used for the outsourcing of services, such as facilities management, IT services, and so on.
Some of the elements typically required in an internal contract include:
- Name of the principal/client.
- Name of the agent/supplier.
- The product and/or services to be provided.
- Start date.
- Estimate of the elapsed time required. (For SLAs, this takes the form of a renewal date.)
- Price and the terms of payment.
- Client’s accountabilities, i.e. what the client must do/provide in order for the supplier to successfully perform the contract.
- Risks and assumptions about external dependencies that may hinder the performance of the contract.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
When is there a right to light, and what happens if it is obstructed?
Infrastructure nationalisation
What would the nationalisation of economic infrastructure mean for GB?
A new guide to improving value by reducing design error.
We've reached 80,000 page views a day and 10,000 registered users. Why not join them?
A masterplan is a framework within which a location is encouraged to develop or change. Read our introductory article.
New consultation announced on a specialist Housing Court to settle landlord-tenant disputes.
Inclusive cities and transport
ICE responds to a transport consultation advising the government to make decisions enabling more inclusive cities.
BRE and Loughborough University complete first phase refurbishment of demonstration home.
How the risk of collapse of fibrous plaster ceilings is being addressed in theatres.
We’re looking for a full-time Editor
If you’re a great writer and have practical experience of the construction industry, it could be you.
Frustrated by long documents or technical jargon? Put off by sign-up forms or costs? Take this 5 min survey to help improve construction knowledge.