Contract Review
by @lmanchu
Legal contract analysis using CUAD dataset (41 risk categories). Supports NDA, SaaS, M&A, employment, payment/merchant, and finder/broker agreements. Identif...
clawhub install contract-reviewπ About This Skill
name: contract-review description: Legal contract analysis using CUAD dataset (41 risk categories). Supports NDA, SaaS, M&A, employment, payment/merchant, and finder/broker agreements. Identifies red flags, suggests redlines, compares to market standards. version: 1.0.0 author: IrisGo.AI license: MIT metadata: {"tags":["legal","contracts","nda","saas","due-diligence"],"repository":"https://github.com/IrisGoLab/contract-review-skill"} allowed-tools: - Read - Write - Edit - Grep - Glob
Contract Review
Review legal contracts for risks, extract key terms, and suggest redlines. Built on the CUAD dataset (41 risk categories), ContractEval benchmarks, and LegalBench.
> Disclaimer: This skill provides informational analysis only. It is not legal advice. Material terms should be reviewed by qualified legal counsel before signing.
When to Activate
Step 1: Pre-Review Checklist
Before analyzing content, verify document completeness:
If blank fields or missing exhibits exist, flag prominently in output header.
Step 2: Identify Document Type & User Position
Ask if unclear: "Which party are you? (customer, vendor, buyer, seller, licensor, licensee, receiving party, disclosing party)"
This affects what's "risky":
Assess power dynamic:
Output Format
Use markdown for readable, scannable output.
Example Output
# Contract Review: [Document Name]Document Type: SaaS Subscription Agreement
Your Position: Customer
Counterparty: Acme Software Inc.
Risk Level: Medium
Document Status: Draft / Executed on [date]
Pre-Signing Alerts
Blank field: Fee amount in Section 4.1 is "$____"
Missing exhibit: Exhibit B (SLA) referenced but not attached Executive Summary
Standard vendor agreement with some one-sided terms. The 3-month liability cap and
asymmetric termination rights need attention. Data ownership is clear.
Key Terms
| Term | Value | Location |
|------|-------|----------|
| Initial Term | 12 months | Section 8.1 |
| Auto-Renewal | 12-month periods, 60-day notice | Section 8.2 |
| Liability Cap | 3 months' fees | Section 10.2 |
| Governing Law | Delaware | Section 12.1 |
Red Flags (Quick Scan)
| Flag | Found | Location |
|------|-------|----------|
| Liability cap < 6 months | Yes | Section 10.2 |
| Uncapped indemnification | No | -- |
| Unilateral amendment rights | Yes | Section 14.1 |
| No termination for convenience | No | -- |
| Perpetual obligations | No | -- |
| Offshore jurisdiction | No | -- |
Risk Analysis
Critical
Limitation of Liability (Section 10.2)
> "Liability shall not exceed fees paid in the preceding three (3) months"
Issue: 3-month cap is below market standard (typically 12 months)
Risk: For $120K annual contract, liability capped at $30K
Market Standard: 12 months' fees
Negotiability: Medium -- most vendors accept 6-12 months
Redline: Change "three (3) months" to "twelve (12) months"
Fallback: Accept 6 months as compromise
Important
Termination for Convenience (Section 8.5)
> "Vendor may terminate for any reason upon 30 days notice"
Issue: One-sided; customer lacks equivalent right
Market Standard: Mutual termination rights
Negotiability: High -- reasonable ask
Redline: Add "Either party may terminate..." or change to "90 days"
Reviewed & Acceptable
| Category | Status | Notes |
|----------|--------|-------|
| Data Ownership | OK | Customer owns all customer data |
| IP Rights | OK | Clear separation, no broad assignment |
| Confidentiality | OK | Mutual, 3-year term, standard exceptions |
| Governing Law | OK | Delaware -- neutral for commercial |
Missing Provisions
| Provision | Priority | Why It Matters |
|-----------|----------|----------------|
| Data Export Rights | Critical | No guaranteed way to get data out on termination |
| SLA Credits | Important | 99.9% uptime stated but no remedy for breach |
| Price Increase Cap | Important | Renewal pricing uncapped |
Suggested language for Data Export:
> "Upon termination, Vendor shall make Customer Data available for export in CSV or JSON format for 90 days at no additional charge."
Internal Consistency Issues
Section 5.2 references "Exhibit C" but no Exhibit C exists
"Confidential Information" defined in Section 3.1 but used lowercase in Section 7
Negotiation Priority
| # | Issue | Ask | Negotiability |
|---|-------|-----|---------------|
| 1 | Liability cap | 12 months | Medium |
| 2 | Termination rights | Mutual | High |
| 3 | Data export | Add provision | High |
| 4 | Price cap | 5% annual max | Medium |
*This review is for informational purposes only. Material terms should be reviewed by qualified legal counsel.*
Red Flags Quick Scan
Check these danger signs FIRST before deep analysis:
| Red Flag | Why It Matters | |----------|----------------| | Liability cap < 6 months | Inadequate protection | | Uncapped indemnification | Unlimited exposure | | "As-is" with no warranty | No recourse for defects | | Unilateral suspension without notice | Service can vanish | | Unilateral amendment rights | Terms can change | | No termination for convenience | Locked in | | Perpetual obligations (tails, non-competes) | Indefinite exposure | | Offshore jurisdiction (BVI, Cayman) | Expensive to enforce | | Pre-signed conflict waivers | No recourse for conflicts | | "Sole discretion" language favoring counterparty | No objective standard | | Class action waiver + mandatory arbitration | Limited remedies | | Asymmetric assignment rights | They can assign, you can't |
Document Type Checklists
NDA Checklist
| Category | Check For | |----------|-----------| | Direction | One-way or mutual? | | Definition scope | "All information" too broad? Standard exceptions? | | Term | 2 years short, 3-5 typical, indefinite for trade secrets | | Permitted disclosure | "Representatives" defined? Flow-down required? | | Residuals clause | Can use general knowledge retained in memory? | | Non-solicitation | Employees protected? | | Standstill | Prevents hostile acquisition actions? | | No-contact | Customers, suppliers, employees protected? | | Return/destruction | Certification required? | | Public announcement | Prohibits disclosure of discussions? | | Compelled disclosure | Notice required? Time to seek protective order? | | Injunctive relief | Pre-agreed specific performance? Bond waiver? |
SaaS/MSA Checklist
| Category | Check For | |----------|-----------| | Liability cap | 12+ months = standard | | Uptime SLA | 99.9% with credits = standard | | Suspension rights | Unilateral? Notice required? | | Data ownership | Customer owns customer data? | | Data export | Format, duration, cost on termination? | | Price increases | Capped? Notice period? | | Auto-renewal notice | 90+ days = good, <60 = risk | | Termination | Mutual for convenience? Cure period for cause? | | Subprocessors | Notice of changes? Approval rights? | | Insurance | Vendor carries E&O, cyber? |
Payment/Merchant Agreement Checklist
| Category | Check For | |----------|-----------| | Reserve/holdback | Amount, duration, release conditions? | | Chargeback liability | Capped? Fraud protection? | | Network rules | Incorporated by reference? Access provided? | | Auto-debit authority | Notice before debits? | | Settlement timing | When do you receive funds? | | Volume commitments | Realistic? Penalty for shortfall? | | Suspension rights | Immediate or notice? | | Termination tail | How long do obligations survive? | | Audit rights | Frequency, notice, cost allocation? | | PCI compliance | Who bears cost? |
M&A Agreement Checklist
| Category | Check For | |----------|-----------| | Purchase price | Cash vs. stock vs. earnout mix? | | Earnout mechanics | Measurement, discretion, audit rights, acceleration? | | Escrow/holdback | Amount (10-15% typical), duration (12-18 mo), release? | | Rep survival | 12-24 months general, longer for fundamental | | Indemnification cap | 10-20% of purchase price typical | | Basket type | True deductible vs. tipping? | | Sandbagging | Pro-buyer or anti-sandbagging? | | Non-compete | 2-3 years, geographic scope? | | Working capital | Target, collar, true-up mechanism? | | MAC definition | Carve-outs for market conditions? | | Employment comp | Counted in purchase price or separate? |
Finder/Broker Agreement Checklist
| Category | Check For | |----------|-----------| | Fee percentage | Specified or blank? | | Fee calculation | What's included in deal value? Employment comp? | | "Covered buyer" definition | How broad? Any prior relationship carve-out? | | Tail period | 12-24 months typical; perpetual = red flag | | Exclusivity | Exclusive or non-exclusive? | | Minimum fee | Floor amount? | | Joint representation | Consent required? Conflict waiver? | | Escrow deduction | Auto-pay from proceeds? | | Term/termination | Can you exit? | | Broker status | BD registered if securities involved? |
Risk Categories (CUAD 41 + Extensions)
Document Basics
Term & Termination
Assignment & Control
Financial Terms
Liability & Risk
IP & Confidentiality
Dispute Resolution
Special Provisions
Market Standard Benchmarks
| Provision | Standard | Yellow Flag | Red Flag | |-----------|----------|-------------|----------| | Liability cap | 12 months' fees | 6-11 months | <6 months | | Non-compete duration | 1-2 years | 3-4 years | 5+ years | | Non-compete geography | Where business operates | State-wide | Nationwide | | Auto-renewal notice | 90+ days | 60-89 days | <60 days | | Termination notice | Mutual, 60-90 days | One-sided, 30 days | Immediate | | Indemnification | Mutual, capped | Asymmetric | Uncapped | | Rep survival (M&A) | 12-18 months general | 24-30 months | 36+ months | | Escrow (M&A) | 10-15% for 12-18 mo | 15-20% for 18-24 mo | >20% or >24 mo | | Confidentiality (NDA) | 3 years general | 2 years | 5+ years | | Fee tail (broker) | 12-18 months | 24 months | Perpetual | | SLA uptime | 99.9% with credits | 99.5% | No SLA | | Data export | 90 days, standard format | 30 days | None | | Price increase cap | CPI or 5% annual | 10% annual | Uncapped | | Cure period | 30 days | 15 days | None |
Negotiability Guide
| Rating | Meaning | Examples | |--------|---------|----------| | High | Usually accepted | Mutual termination, cure periods, data export | | Medium | Depends on leverage | Liability cap increase, price caps | | Low | Rarely changed | Network rules (payments), regulatory requirements | | None | Non-negotiable | Card network mandates, banking regulations |
Power dynamic factors:
Jurisdiction Notes
Non-Competes:
Choice of Law:
Arbitration Venues:
Guardrails
License
MIT License. Open source contribution by IrisGo.AI.