Contract law: legal assistance from negotiation to breach of contract

A well-drafted contract is the cheapest way to avoid a lawsuit. A poorly drafted contract, or one signed without really reading it, is often the very source of the dispute.

Since 2009, Studio legale Lanzi has assisted individuals, businesses, associations and foreign nationals at every stage of a contract's life: when it is negotiated, when it is drafted and when someone fails to honour the commitments made.

 

How we assist you

1. Negotiation

The most important terms are settled before signing. The lawyer stands by your side during negotiations: he reviews the other party's proposals, identifies unbalanced or risky clauses and helps you obtain clearer and more protective terms. He can conduct the negotiation directly or advise you from the sidelines, as you prefer.

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2. Drafting and reviewing the contract

Every contract is tailor-made, starting from your goals rather than a generic template. The Firm drafts the text, or reviews the one proposed by the other party, paying particular attention to:

• subject matter, price, timing and terms of performance;

• warranties, penalties, deposits and withdrawal clauses;

• liability and limitations of damages;

• confidentiality, intellectual property and personal data protection;

• governing law and jurisdiction, especially in contracts with foreign parties.

If needed, the contract can also be drafted in English or French, or accompanied by a sworn legal translation.

 

3. Breach of contract

When the other party fails to pay, delivers late, supplies defective goods or does not honour the agreement, the lawyer assesses your position and the most effective way to protect you:

• formal notice to perform and notice of default;

• out-of-court negotiation, assisted negotiation or mediation;

• court action for performance, termination of the contract and compensation for damages;

• debt recovery, including through an order for payment (decreto ingiuntivo) and enforcement proceedings.

The Firm defends with equal care those who receive a claim of breach and need to assert their rights.

 

Contracts we handle

Home and real estate

• Lease agreements for residential, agreed-rent, short-term, student and commercial properties: drafting, registration, renewal, termination notice and eviction for non-payment or expiry of the lease.

• Real estate purchases: preliminary checks on the property's planning, land registry and mortgage status, purchase offer, preliminary contract and deposit, assistance up to the notarial deed.

• Construction contracts for renovation works, with attention to timing, variations, penalties and defects in the works.

• Purchase of properties at auction, from reading the expert appraisal to taking part in the sale.

 

Businesses and professionals

• Sale of goods and supply of services between businesses, including international ones, with general terms and conditions.

• Collaboration and consultancy agreements with professionals and self-employed workers.

• Agency, distribution and franchising.

• Non-disclosure (NDA) and non-compete agreements.

• Licensing of trademarks, designs and other intellectual property rights; manufacturing and supply contracts in the fashion industry; contracts with influencers and creators.

• General terms of sale for e-commerce and terms of use for websites and apps.

• Contracts for the supply of software and artificial intelligence services, data processor appointments and GDPR-compliant agreements.

• Transfer and lease of a business, transfer of company shares and shareholders' agreements.

 

Consumers

• Purchases of goods and services, including online: legal guarantee of conformity, right of withdrawal, unfair terms.

• Travel and tourism contracts: cancellations, package holidays, damages for ruined holidays, air passenger rights.

• Banking, financial and insurance contracts and disputes with utility and telephone providers.

 

Employment

• Defence of employees in reviewing and negotiating employment contracts, in disciplinary proceedings, in dismissals and in recovering unpaid salaries, severance pay (TFR) and pay differences.

• Settlement agreements at the end of the employment relationship.

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Our approach

• Listening and analysis: before drafting a single clause, the Firm wants to understand what you really need and which risks you want to avoid.

• Plain language: a good contract should be understandable to those who sign it, not just to lawyers.

• Transparent fees: before work begins you receive a written estimate, as required by the rules governing the legal profession. To find out more, see the Professional fees page.

• Multilingual assistance: the Firm works with Italian and foreign clients and collaborates with interpreters and legal linguists for other languages.

• A network of professionals: when needed, the lawyer works alongside notaries, accountants, technical experts and colleagues in Italy and abroad.

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Contact us

Are you about to sign a contract, have you received one to review, or is the other party failing to honour the agreement? Contact Studio legale Lanzi for an assessment of your situation.