What is a freelance contract?
A freelance contract is a written agreement between a business and an independent freelancer that sets out the scope of work, payment, deadlines, and who owns the finished work.
Employment & HR
Freelance Contract
Generate a freelance contract for engaging a UK freelancer or self-employed contractor, addressing IR35 / off-payroll working status alongside scope, payment, and IP terms.
- Create a freelance contract for a project
Generate a freelance contract between [Client Name] and [Freelancer Name] for [Project Description], covering scope, payment milestones, deadlines, and IP ownership of the deliverables.
- Create an ongoing freelance retainer agreement
Generate a freelance retainer agreement between [Client Name] and [Freelancer Name] for ongoing [type of work] services, covering monthly hours or deliverables and payment terms.
- Create a freelance contract with confidentiality terms
Generate a freelance contract between [Client Name] and [Freelancer Name] that includes confidentiality obligations protecting [Client Name]'s business information disclosed during the engagement.
Freelance Contract Generator (UK)
A freelance contract sets out the scope of work, payment terms, deadlines, and intellectual property rights when a UK business engages a freelancer or self-employed contractor rather than an employee. This free UK freelance contract generator produces agreements for one-off projects and ongoing freelance engagements, drafted to reflect a genuine self-employed relationship and to support the correct IR35 (off-payroll working) status assessment. It is designed for UK businesses hiring freelance designers, writers, developers, consultants, and other project-based workers who invoice through a limited company or as a sole trader. The generator lets you specify project milestones, payment triggers, and who owns the work product once delivered. Use it to protect both parties with clear expectations and reduce the risk of a successful HMRC employment status challenge.
Frequently asked questions
How is a freelancer different from an employee in the UK?
A freelancer runs their own business, controls how the work is done, and takes on financial risk, unlike an employee who works under the business's direction and receives Employment Rights Act protections.
What is IR35 and does it affect freelance contracts?
IR35 (off-payroll working rules) determines whether a freelancer working through a limited company should be taxed as an employee for that engagement; a well-drafted contract reflecting genuine self-employment supports the correct status determination.
Who owns the work created by a freelancer in the UK?
Unless the contract says otherwise, copyright in work created by a freelancer generally belongs to the freelancer, so the contract should include an assignment or licence clause if the client needs ownership.
What should payment terms in a freelance contract include?
Payment milestones or a payment schedule, invoicing requirements, due dates, and what happens if payment is late or the project scope changes.
Can a freelance contract include a confidentiality clause?
Yes, it is common to include confidentiality obligations protecting the client's business information disclosed to the freelancer during the engagement.
What happens if HMRC decides a freelancer should have been treated as an employee?
The business (or agency) may become liable for unpaid PAYE tax and National Insurance contributions, so contract terms and actual working practices should genuinely reflect self-employment.