Agency Agreement Solicitors

Appointing an agent, or acting as one, creates legal obligations that go further than a handshake deal. Our solicitors draft and review agency agreements that set out authority, commission and territory clearly, so both principal and agent know exactly where they stand.

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agency agreement solicitors in manchester

Why Agency Agreements Need Care

An agency relationship is not the same as an employment contract or a simple supply arrangement and treating it that way causes problems later. UK law gives commercial agents specific rights, including compensation when an agreement ends, and these rights can apply even where a contract does not mention them. Our solicitors check whether your arrangement falls within scope before drafting the agreement, then build in clear terms on exclusivity, commission and termination. We work with businesses in Manchester and across the UK on both sides of the relationship, whether you are appointing an agent or taking on an agency yourself, as part of the wider range of commercial contracts we draft for growing businesses.

How Our Agency Agreement Solicitors Help Your Business

Whether you are appointing an agent or taking on an agency, our solicitors put clear terms in place before problems arise.

Agency Agreement Drafting

We draft agency agreements that set out the agent’s authority, territory, commission structure and reporting requirements clearly, so there is no ambiguity about what the agent can and cannot commit you to.

Commercial Agents Regulations Advice

The Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 give agents rights that cannot always be excluded by contract, including compensation on termination. We advise on how these Regulations apply to your specific arrangement before you sign anything.

Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Agreements

We advise on whether an exclusive, non-exclusive or sole agency arrangement suits your business, and draft the agreement to reflect the level of commitment you intend to make. The same exclusivity questions often come up in franchise arrangements, which we also advise on.

Termination and Compensation Advice

Ending an agency relationship can trigger a compensation claim if it is not handled correctly. We advise on notice periods and termination provisions that reduce your exposure.

Agency Agreement Review

If you have been sent an agency agreement to sign, we review it and flag any terms that expose you to unnecessary risk or commit you beyond what you intended.

Cross Border Agency Arrangements

Where an agent or principal is based outside the UK, we advise on which law and jurisdiction should govern the agreement and how that affects your position.

What This Means for You

Clear authority limits so agents cannot overcommit your business
Reduced exposure to compensation claims when the agreement ends
Commission and territory terms both sides understand and accept
Compliance with the Commercial Agents Regulations from the outset
One set of terms covering the whole agency relationship

When To Seek Advice

Before appointing an agent to represent your business
Before agreeing to act as someone else’s commercial agent
If you plan to end an existing agency arrangement.
When a principal or agent proposes changes to commission terms
If a dispute arises over an agent’s authority or commission

Meet the Founder

Marium brings 22 years of experience advising UK businesses on corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution matters. She founded MAR Legal to give businesses direct access to senior contract and commercial advice without the overhead of a traditional firm. Marium is an individually practicing Solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID: 277854). You can verify her active professional credentials on the official Law Society Find a Solicitor Index or review her industry record on the SRA Register.

Marium Razzaq
Solicitor & Director Mar Legal
MCIArb

Why Choose MAR Legal for Agency Agreements

Solicitor Led

Every agreement is drafted or reviewed by our solicitors, with the Regulations checked from the outset.

Practical, Commercial Advice

Straightforward guidance on exclusivity, commission and termination, without unnecessary legal complexity.

Fixed Fee

Clear, fixed fee pricing agreed before we start, so there are no surprises on cost.

Manchester Based, UK Wide

Based in Manchester, we advise principals and agents on both sides of the relationship.

Trusted by businesses across Manchester and the UK for clear, commercially minded agency agreement advice.

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How Our Agency Agreement Process Works

Initial Consultation

We discuss the agency relationship you are entering into and agree a fixed fee for the work.

Regulations Check

We confirm whether the Commercial Agents Regulations apply to your arrangement.

Drafting or Review

Our solicitors draft new terms or review what has already been proposed.

Sign Off

You receive a final agreement ready to sign, with the key terms explained clearly.

What Our Clients Say

    
 
 
         
   George Alexo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t recommend Mar Legal highly enough. From the first consultation they were clear, knowledgeable, and straightforward with their advice — no jargon, no runaround. They were responsive whenever I had questions and clearly had my best interests at heart throughout. If you’re looking for legal support you can actually trust, this is the team.
  
 
        
   Mark West 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Perfect experience! We required our IDs verified for a house purchase in another town. The team were very friendly, helpful and quick to sort everything out for us. I highly reccomend!
  
 
        
   Yoana Mitova 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fast and easy way to verify your ID online. Great customer service.
  
 
        
   Conor Morrison 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I instructed MAR legal to assist with company formation and trademark applications for my business. The whole process was straightforward and handled professionally from start to finish. They were responsive, knowledgeable and made sure everything was completed properly. I would definitely use MAR legal again for future business matters.
  
 
        
   Anah Akbar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used MAR legal to prepare my UK will and found the service very professional and easy to deal with. Everything was explained clearly and the process was handled efficiently from start to finish. It gave me real peace of mind knowing everything had been done properly. I would happily recommend MAR legal to anyone looking to put a will in place.
  
 
        
   Safiy U 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have used MAR legal for a range of corporate and commercial matters and have always found them reliable, responsive and easy to work with. Their advice is practical and commercially focused, which is exactly what you want as a business owner. They have supported us with contracts, business agreements and general commercial advice, and everything has been handled professionally and efficiently. Communication has always been clear and turnaround times have been very good. It is refreshing to work with a firm that takes the time to understand the commercial side of a business rather than just giving generic legal advice. We would happily recommend MAR legal to other businesses looking for ongoing legal support.
  
 
        
   Sarah Ibrar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tanawish was super helpful and very responsive
  
 
        
   Pooja Cheema 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I needed independent legal advice on a bridging loan for a refinance and MAR legal handled it well. They were quick to respond, easy to deal with and turned everything around within 24 hours. The fees were reasonable and there were no delays. I would be happy to use them again.
  
 
        
   Ibby Tv 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used MAR Legal for independent legal advice on a mortgage and was very pleased with the service. I was able to get a same day appointment, which was really helpful, and everything was turned around within 24 hours. They talked me through everything in a way that actually made sense and were easy to deal with throughout. I would use MAR legal again without hesitation.
  
 
        
   Sajaad Nawaz 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. MAR legal assisted with drafting an employment contract for my business and the service was very good. They took the time to understand our requirements and produced a clear and well structured contract that suited our needs. The advice was practical and the process was handled efficiently. I would be happy to use MAR legal again for future legal support.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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Agency Agreement Solicitors FAQs

An agent negotiates or concludes contracts on behalf of the principal, who remains the party selling the goods or services. A distributor buys goods from the supplier and resells them in its own name, taking on the commercial risk of unsold stock. The distinction matters because the Commercial Agents Regulations only apply to genuine agency relationships, not distribution arrangements, so calling an arrangement an agency does not automatically bring it within scope.

No. The Regulations apply specifically to agents who negotiate or conclude the sale or purchase of goods on behalf of a principal, not services. Even where the Regulations apply, some terms cannot be excluded regardless of what the contract says, particularly around compensation on termination. We check the substance of the relationship, not just its label, before advising on which protections apply.

It depends on the notice period set out in the agreement and whether the Commercial Agents Regulations apply. Where they do, an agent may be entitled to compensation or an indemnity when the relationship ends, even if the contract itself is silent on the point. Ending an agency arrangement without checking this first can result in a larger payout than expected, so it is worth reviewing the position before giving notice.

Commission is typically calculated as a percentage of the value of business the agent generates, paid either on order, invoice or payment, depending on what the agreement specifies. Some agreements include a retainer alongside commission, particularly where the agent is expected to carry out marketing or account management work beyond simply introducing business. Getting the payment trigger and calculation method clearly defined avoids disputes over what is owed.

If a third party reasonably believed the agent had authority to act, the principal may still be bound by what the agent agreed, even if the agent had exceeded their instructions. This is why clearly defined authority limits in the written agreement matter, along with clear communication to third parties about the scope of the agent’s role where the arrangement is genuinely limited.

Rent review clauses and rent-free periods serve different purposes and usually appear separately in a lease. A rent-free period is an initial incentive at the start of the lease, often to allow for fit-out, while a rent review clause governs how the ongoing rent changes later in the term. Both are worth negotiating carefully but at different stages of agreeing the lease.

Yes, if the agreement is governed by English law or the agent operates in relation to UK business, since the drafting still needs to reflect UK contract principles and, where relevant, the Commercial Agents Regulations. Where the agent is based in another jurisdiction, we can also flag where local law advice may be needed alongside the UK agreement.

MAR Legal provides agency agreement drafting, review and compliance advice on an advisory basis. Where a matter involves reserved legal activities or court proceedings, we work alongside appropriately regulated professionals to provide a compliant and joined up service.

Agency Agreement Lawyers

Why Agency Agreements Need Care