Research Handbook on Contract Design

This Research Handbook inspires a new vision of contracts, with practical illustrations of how they should be designed, rather than just drafted. The contributors offer a proactive approach, merged with innovative design, to show how contracts can be both user-friendly and legally functional. This ground-breaking work goes beyond the initial drafting and formation of contracts to cover implementation and integration with business infrastructure – including digital processes. Drawing on a multi-disciplinary perspective, it highlights all aspects of the contract lifecycle, using both theoretical and practical scenarios. As well as improved design and communication, the Handbook takes a creative view of the role of emerging technologies, including AI, and how they can increase contract functionality and visualisation. The goals are simplification, clarity about rights and obligations, and the prevention of unnecessary legal problems. Providing an up-to-date analysis of current trends in contract design thinking and practice, this Handbook will be an excellent resource for contract and legal professionals, scholars and practitioners. Entrepreneurs, procurement and sales managers, information designers and technologists will also find the forward-thinking, human-centred approach in this book illuminating and informative.