ON-DEMAND: Clause & Effect – Contract Law Series | Foundations Stream | Session 1: Heads of Agreement & Preliminary Documents

Register now for the first session in our ‘Clause & Effect’ Foundations Stream.

Piper Alderman invites early career legal and commercial professionals to join us for an accessible, practical introduction to Heads of Agreement and other preliminary documents.

About the session

Letters of intent, term sheets and memoranda of understanding should set a clear framework for detailed negotiations. However, if drafted without care, they can create binding obligations long before parties intend or create uncertainty leading to unnecessary conflict in the later stages of a deal. This session breaks down these concepts in a clear, foundational way, helping early career practitioners build confidence and capability.

We will cover:

• The purpose of preliminary documents and how they support early commercial negotiations
• When these documents can become legally binding – intentionally or unintentionally
• How to avoid common drafting pitfalls and unintended commitments
• Practical, easy to apply drafting tips to support smooth negotiations while managing legal risk

Delivered with real world examples and plain language explanations, this session is designed to strengthen foundational contract literacy and help participants develop strong drafting and issue spotting skills.

Who should attend?

Ideal for early stage and emerging legal counsel, commercial officers and contract managers and anyone beginning to work with commercial contracts or negotiation frameworks or keen for a refresher.