THE SHORT ANSWER

Every clause in this quiz is fictional, but each hides a familiar decision. Try to identify the missing limit, trigger or definition before reading the explanation. The goal is not to panic at dramatic wording; it is to turn vague obligations into specific questions.

Welcome to the least relaxing project of your career. The client has supplied a fictional contract assembled by a committee of red flags wearing a trench coat.

For each clause, choose the question you would ask first. There can be other problems; the answer highlights the one that most changes the deal.

Clause one: approval by vibes

“The Client shall pay the Fee after the Deliverables are completed to the Client’s absolute satisfaction.”

What is missing?

  • A. The client’s favourite colour
  • B. An objective deliverable, review process and payment deadline
  • C. A promise that the project will be fun

Best answer: B. “Absolute satisfaction” does not tell you who reviews, what standard applies, how long review can take or whether a specific defect must be identified. Ask for defined deliverables, a review window, a rejection process and a final payment date. If the client is already using the work while approval remains open, use the approval-limbo checklist.

Clause two: one revision, infinite editions

“The Fee includes all revisions necessary for the Client to achieve its desired outcome.”

What is missing?

  • A. A limit or defined revision process
  • B. The font size of the invoice
  • C. A motivational quote

Best answer: A. “Necessary” and “desired outcome” leave the scope moving. Define included rounds, the original brief, consolidated feedback and how new direction is priced. Then choose whether to add, swap or defer extra work with the small-change guide.

Clause three: paid in exposure

“In consideration for the Services, the Client may tag the Contractor on social media.”

What is the first commercial question?

  • A. Which emoji will accompany the tag?
  • B. Is the tag the entire compensation, and is that genuinely the bargain you intend?
  • C. What time will the post go live?

Best answer: B. Exposure is not a cash amount. If you consciously accept promotion or a service exchange, define what it is and decide whether it is enough. If the proposal is a share of future revenue, make the formula calculable with the revenue-share worksheet.

Clause four: everything, everywhere, forever

“All ideas, drafts, tools, templates and materials used or created in connection with the Services belong exclusively to the Client throughout the universe in perpetuity.”

What should you separate?

  • A. Final custom deliverables, pre-existing tools, working files and third-party assets
  • B. Earth and the rest of the universe
  • C. Tuesday drafts and Wednesday drafts

Best answer: A. Identify what is being delivered, owned or licensed. Existing tools and third-party assets may require different treatment from final custom work. If editable files appear unexpectedly at handover, use the source-file inventory.

Clause five: responsible for everything, forever

“The Contractor is liable for all losses of any kind connected with the project, without limitation.”

What do you read next?

  • A. The signature font
  • B. Caps, exclusions, indemnities, claim control and insurance
  • C. The weather forecast

Best answer: B. Do not judge a liability sentence alone. Find the general cap, carve-outs, loss exclusions and separate indemnities, then compare them with the work and insurance. The £2,000 project liability guide walks through that structure.

Your extremely scientific result

Five best answers: You have defeated the cursed contract, temporarily. The next step is to ask about the actual wording rather than assume every odd clause has the same effect.

Three or four: You spotted the shape of the risk. Re-read the clause you missed and write the missing trigger, limit or definition in one sentence.

Zero to two: The contract has claimed your firstborn logo file. Start with the plain-English self-review and work through payment, exit, responsibility, restrictions and ownership.

This quiz is educational and deliberately silly. It does not determine whether a real term is enforceable or whether you should sign. Its serious habit is simple: when wording is broad, identify the decision it leaves under someone else’s control.

Put your own contract in context.

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