The 7-clause freelance contract every Indian freelancer needs
Most freelancer contracts are either (a) a 12-page legal document the client never reads or (b) a WhatsApp message that explodes when things go wrong. Here’s the middle ground: 7 clauses, plain English, enforceable in Indian courts.
1. Scope of work
List the exact deliverables, including format. “Logo design” is too vague. “Logo design (3 initial concepts, 2 rounds of revisions, final files in SVG/PNG/AI)” is enforceable.
Template wording:“The Freelancer agrees to deliver the work described in Schedule A. Any work beyond Schedule A is out of scope and will be quoted separately.”
2. Timeline and milestones
Two dates matter: the project start date and the final delivery date. Add intermediate milestones if the project is > 30 days, and tie payment to them.
Always include a client-side delay clause: if the client doesn’t provide feedback / assets / approvals within X business days, the timeline shifts.
3. Payment terms
Three non-negotiables:
- Advance.30–50% on signing for one-off projects.
- Payment terms. Net 7 or Net 15 for freelancers. Net 30+ kills small businesses.
- Late-payment interest.“Overdue invoices accrue 18% per annum compound interest from the day after the due date, per MSMED Act §16.” Even if you don’t enforce it, the clause changes their behaviour.
When a client’s late, plug the numbers in here. The figure you can claim might surprise you. Open it →
4. Intellectual property
IP transfers on final payment, not earlier. This single word (“final”) is the difference between a client ghosting you with your work shipped, and the client coming back to settle the bill.
Template wording:“All intellectual property rights in the Deliverables remain with the Freelancer until the Total Fee is paid in full. Upon final payment, IP rights (excluding the Freelancer’s portfolio rights) transfer to the Client.”
5. Revisions
Specify the number of revision rounds (2 or 3 is industry standard). State explicitly that revisions beyond are billed at your hourly rate. This is the single most-skipped clause and the single biggest source of scope-creep loss.
6. Termination
Either party can terminate with 14 days’ notice. On termination, the client pays for all work completed (or in progress) up to the termination date, calculated pro-rata. Your deposit is non-refundable.
7. Confidentiality
A one-line mutual NDA: “Both parties agree to keep confidential any non-public information shared during the engagement, for 2 years after termination.”
What you do NOT need
- Indemnity clauses.Most freelance contracts don’t need them; they’re scary and cost you trust. Skip unless your work involves end-user liability (medical, financial).
- Force majeure.Already covered under the Indian Contract Act. Don’t bother.
- Arbitration in a foreign country. Stick to Indian jurisdiction. Cheaper, faster, enforceable.
Signing
E-signature is legally valid in India under the IT Act 2000. DocuSign, Zoho Sign, Razorpay’s e-sign — all fine. You do NOT need notarisation for a freelance contract under ₹100/month stamp duty value.
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