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A contract review checks whether performance duties, payment and risk allocation match what the business can deliver.
Commercial contract review in Germany · Berlin · advising across Germany
Commercial contract review in Germany
Commercial contracts allocate opportunity, responsibility and risk. A useful review identifies both the problem and a negotiable alternative.
Who it is for
For teams that sign and operate commercial agreements.
Management, procurement, sales and operations have different priorities but need a shared understanding of the obligations.
Sales and procurement
Teams receive a prioritised view of negotiating points and proposed wording for the next round.
Management
Decision-makers can weigh the most material legal and commercial exposure before approval.
Advice
Prioritised review, not an unfiltered comment list.
Advice separates significant risks from secondary details and provides concrete drafting alternatives.
Risks and priorities
The review starts with clauses that affect price, delivery, liability or whether the deal can be performed.
- Identify objectives and dealbreakers
- Rank issues by commercial impact
- Flag unusual or one-sided provisions
Clauses and alternatives
Material risks are paired with wording that can be put to the other side.
- Review liability and indemnities
- Clarify performance and payment
- Draft workable alternative clauses
Negotiation and signing
Open points are carried through to the final draft without letting secondary issues delay the deal.
- Consolidate mark-ups and counterproposals
- Support negotiation on key terms
- Check the final agreement and schedules
Contact
Need a contract reviewed before signing?
Send the draft, transaction background and timeline. I will respond on scope and the issues likely to matter most.
How we work
Move efficiently to a negotiable draft.
Commercial objectives and dealbreakers are clarified before review, internal alignment and negotiation support.
Request counselUnderstand the deal and draft
You explain your role, negotiating position, desired outcome and deadline. The agreement, schedules and previous changes are reviewed together.
Prioritise material issues
The review separates dealbreakers from points that can be negotiated or handled operationally. Material clauses receive drafting alternatives.
Support the final agreement
Changes are consolidated into a coherent draft. Support can extend to counterproposals and a final consistency check.
Practical perspective
What matters in practice
The following points explain typical decisions and dependencies in this area of advice.
Which clauses deserve attention first
The test is whether the contract accurately describes the transaction and can be carried out in practice.
- Align scope and cooperation duties with the actual service
- Check how price, acceptance and changes interact
- Assess liability, indemnities and insurance in context
Turn issues into negotiable language
A list of abstract risks does little for the negotiating team. Significant points are paired with proposed language and a commercial explanation.
- Separate essential changes from negotiating preferences
- Mark wording directly in the draft
- Check agreement and schedules for consistency
What affects review scope and timing
The length and condition of the draft, schedules, negotiation history and requested output all affect the work involved. These are clarified at the outset.
- Share the draft, schedules and deadline
- Define advice, redlining or negotiation support
- Identify internal decision-makers and approval steps
Your contact: Dr. Philipp Lerch, attorney · Content last updated: 24 September 2026
Dr. Philipp LerchAttorney · Berlin
Profile
Legal precision meets commercial understanding.
As an attorney with experience at an international business law firm and an additional background in computer science, I combine corporate law expertise with a clear understanding of business models, processes, and technology.
- Former attorney at Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Two German honours examinations with a focus on commercial and corporate law
- Dr. jur. and LL.M. Corporate and Commercial Law, University of Sheffield
- B.Sc. Computer Science, Free University of Berlin
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What should I send for a contract review?
Please send the current draft and schedules, a brief description of the transaction, your role, any existing mark-up and the desired timing.
Will I receive proposed drafting changes?
Depending on the agreed scope, the result can be a prioritised assessment, wording changes in the document or assistance through negotiation. The expected output is agreed at the start.
Which clauses matter most in a business contract?
That depends on the deal. Scope of work, price, term, liability, rights in deliverables and change control often determine the commercial exposure.
How quickly can a contract be reviewed?
Timing depends on the draft, schedules, previous negotiations and requested depth. Once those are available, the scope and deadline can be assessed.
What determines the cost of contract review?
Length, complexity and the desired work product are relevant. After an initial look at the draft and objective, the fee for the defined engagement can be discussed.
Contact
Need a contract reviewed before signing?
Send the draft, transaction background and timeline. I will respond on scope and the issues likely to matter most.