Freelance Copywriter Contract Template UK
Commissioning copywriting without a written contract leaves both parties exposed to disputes over ownership, revisions, and payment — a situation that's entirely avoidable. A freelance copywriter contract establishes exactly who owns the finished copy, how many rounds of amendments are included, and when invoices must be settled. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998, freelancers are legally entitled to charge statutory interest on overdue invoices, but only when a clear payment term exists in writing. The contract also reinforces your status as a self-employed contractor rather than an employee, reducing IR35 risk under Chapter 10 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. Whether you are a copywriter protecting your work or a business commissioning content, a robust written agreement is essential. Generate your tailored freelance copywriter contract now.
Generate your Freelance Contract free →Key clauses in a Freelance Contract
Intellectual Property Assignment
This clause specifies exactly when copyright in the delivered copy transfers from the freelance copywriter to the client, typically upon receipt of full payment. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, copyright in original written works belongs to the author by default, so an explicit written assignment is legally required to transfer ownership to the commissioning business.
Scope of Work and Revisions
This clause defines the precise deliverables — word counts, formats, topics, and tone of voice — alongside the maximum number of included revision rounds. Without this boundary, clients can request unlimited amendments, creating unpaid labour that undermines the agreed fee and blurs the self-employed contractor relationship relevant to IR35 assessment.
Payment Terms and Late Fees
This clause sets the invoice due date and confirms the freelancer's right to apply statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate on overdue sums, as provided by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998. Including a fixed payment schedule in writing is the legal prerequisite for enforcing those statutory late payment remedies.
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Generate free →Frequently asked questions
Who owns the copy I write until the client pays me?
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, copyright in original written work belongs to the author — the copywriter — unless and until it is formally assigned in writing. A well-drafted contract typically states that copyright transfers to the client only upon receipt of cleared payment in full, giving you a practical financial remedy if an invoice is not settled.
Does my freelance copywriter contract need to address IR35?
If you are supplying copywriting services to a medium or large private-sector client, that client is responsible for determining your IR35 status under Chapter 10 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003. Your contract should reflect genuine self-employment by including substitution rights, defining project-based deliverables, and avoiding language suggesting integration into the client's workforce, all of which support an outside-IR35 determination.
Can I charge for extra revisions the client requests beyond what was agreed?
Yes — provided your contract clearly defines the number of revision rounds included within the project fee, any additional amendments requested by the client can be billed at an agreed hourly or per-round rate. Without that written definition, additional revision requests are contractually ambiguous and difficult to charge for, which is why specifying the scope precisely from the outset is essential.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contracto generates AI-assisted contract templates — they are not a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor. For high-value or complex engagements, always seek independent legal review.