Contracts
A contract or agreement is an arrangement between two or more parties which is intended by the parties to be legally binding.
Anyone involved in negotiating and managing contracts or agreements that commit the University, or any part of the University, must comply with the Contracts and Agreements Policy. Detailed guidance on how to negotiate and manage contracts or agreements is contained in the Contract Management Handbook.
How we can help
The Legal team can assist with contract planning, drafting, review and negotiation, including:
- funding agreements
- staff and student exchanges
- memorandum of understanding
- procurement
- software licenses
- leases and licenses
- consultancy services agreements.
The Legal Services Branch also offer training sessions.
Do you need a contract drafted or reviewed?
The following options are available if you are unable to find a suitable standard form contract for your needs:
- To request legal review of a contract, complete the Contract Review Instruction Form and email to the Legal Services Helpdesk.
- To request a new contract to be drafted, complete the Contract Drafting Instruction Form and email to the Legal Services Helpdesk.
- For assistance with an existing contract, contact the Legal Services Helpdesk or any of our in-house lawyers directly.
Do you need assistance with a deed?
If you manage contracts at the University, you may come across deeds such as deeds of confidentiality, deeds of assignment, deeds of novation, deeds of variation, and deeds of gift. There are formal requirements for signing deeds. As a body corporate, the University is required to sign deeds either under seal or by power of attorney. For more information about deeds, please visit the Deeds webpage.
Does your contract need to be referred to a specialist area?
As stated in the Contracts and Agreements Policy, certain types of contracts must be referred to specialist areas within the University that have the expertise, specific processes and/or authority to negotiate and enter into those contracts.
Refer to the table below to see which specialist area needs to be consulted for different types of contracts and agreements.
| Agreement related to | Specialist area to consult | Specialist process to follow |
|---|---|---|
| Competitive research grants | Research Services | Research Grants, Contracts & Consultancies Policy |
| Research contracts, non-competitive research grants, or consultancy services | Research Services | Research Grants, Contracts & Consultancies Policy |
| Protecting and Commercialising intellectual property (including related Confidentiality Disclosure Agreements and Material Transfer Agreements) | Innovation and Commercial Partners | Intellectual Property Policy |
| Collaborative research ventures with external parties | Division of Research and Innovation | Research Centres and Research Institutes Framework - Joint Research Ventures with External Partners Template |
| International agreements (Learning, teaching or research with international partner) | Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) | International Agreements Framework |
| Procurement of goods and services for the University of Adelaide | Strategic Procurement | Purchasing Procedures (under Financial Management Policy) |
| IT software or hardware | Information Technology and Digital Services | IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy IT Security Procedures |
| Cloud-hosted applications/Software-as-a-service | Information Technology and Digital Services | Third Party Hosting Security Guidelines |
| Gifts, sponsorships, externally-funded scholarships | External Relations | Giving Policy |
| Jointly conferred academic coursework awards | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Learning) or Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) |
Jointly Conferred Coursework Awards Policy |
| Jointly conferred Higher Degree by Research awards | Division of Research and Innovation | Jointly Conferred Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Awards Policy |
| Use of University brand (including name, logos, trademarks) | Marketing and Communications | Brand Policy |
| Contracts of employment and appointment of titleholders | Human Resources | As advised by Human Resources |
| Capital works (major or minor building work and infrastructure or property use transactions) | Infrastructure | As advised by Infrastructure |
| Engagement of consultants or contractors | n/a | |
| Establishment or acquisition of Controlled Entities | Legal and Risk | University Controlled Entities Policy |
| Insurance Contracts | Legal and Risk | As advised by Legal and Risk Branch |