Landscaping and gardening business to business agreement  

THIS AGREEMENT is made the day of  

BETWEEN: 

(1) Sally Jefford and Trevor Jefford trading as T Jefford Garden Services Limited (“the  Trader”) and 

(2) __________________ of _____________________________________ (“the Client”) WHEREAS:  

(1) The Trader provides landscaping and gardening services to business clients. The Trader has  reasonable skill, knowledge and experience in that field. 

(2) The Client wishes to engage the Trader to provide the services set out in this Agreement,  subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 

(3) The Trader agrees to provide the services set out in this Agreement to the Client, subject to  the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 

IT IS AGREED as follows:  

1. Definitions and Interpretation  

1.1 In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the  following meanings: 

“Business Day” means, any day (other than Saturday or Sunday) on which ordinary banks are open  for their full range of normal business in England; 

“Commencement Date”means the date on which provision of the Services shall commence, as set  out in sub-Clause 8.1; 

“Fees” means any and all sums due under this Agreement from the Client to The Trader, as  specified in Schedule 2; 

“Services” means the services to be provided by The Trader to the Client in accordance with  Clause 2, as fully defined in Schedule 1, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;  and 

“Term” means the term of this Agreement as set out in Clause 8. 

1.2 Unless the context otherwise requires, each reference in this Agreement to: 

1.2.1 “writing”, and any cognate expression, includes a reference to any communication effected  by electronic or facsimile transmission or similar means; 

1.2.2 a statute or a provision of a statute is a reference to that statute or provision as amended or  re-enacted at the relevant time; 

1.2.3 “this Agreement” is a reference to this Agreement and each of the Schedules as amended or  supplemented at the relevant time; 

1.2.4 a Schedule is a schedule to this Agreement; and

1.2.5 a Clause or paragraph is a reference to a Clause of this Agreement (other than the  Schedules) or a paragraph of the relevant Schedule. 

1.2.6 a “Party” or the “Parties” refer to the parties to this Agreement. 

1.3 The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall have no effect upon  the interpretation of this Agreement. 

1.4 Words imparting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa. 

1.5 References to any gender shall include the other gender. 

1.6 References to persons shall include corporations. 

2. Provision of the Services 

2.1 With effect from the Commencement Date, the Trader shall, throughout the Term of this  Agreement, provide the Services to the Client. 

2.2 The Trader shall provide the Services with reasonable skill and care, commensurate with  prevailing standards in the landscaping and gardening sector in the United Kingdom. 

2.3 The Trader shall act in accordance with all reasonable instructions given to it by the Client  provided such instructions are compatible with the specification of Services provided in Schedule 1. 

2.4 The Trader shall be responsible for ensuring that it complies with all statutes, regulations,  byelaws, standards, codes of conduct and any other rules relevant to the provision of the Services (if  any). 

2.5 The Trader shall use all reasonable endeavours to accommodate any reasonable changes in  the Services that may be requested by the Client, subject to the Client’s acceptance of any related  reasonable changes to the Fees that may be due as a result of such changes. 

3. Client’s Obligations 

3.1 The Client shall use all reasonable endeavours to provide all pertinent information to The  Trader that is necessary for The Trader’s provision of the Services. 

3.2 The Client may, from time to time, issue reasonable instructions to The Trader in relation to  The Trader’s provision of the Services. Any such instructions should be compatible with the  specification of the Services provided in Schedule 1. 

3.3 In the event that The Trader requires the decision, approval, consent or any other  communication from the Client in order to continue with the provision of the Services or any part  thereof at any time, the Client shall provide the same in a reasonable and timely manner.  

3.4 If any consents, licences or other permissions are needed from any third parties such as  landlords, planning authorities, local authorities or similar, it shall be the Client’s responsibility to  obtain the same in advance of the provision of the Services.

3.5 If the nature of the Services requires that The Trader has access to the Client’s premises or  any other location, access to which is lawfully controlled by the Client, the Client shall ensure that  The Trader has access to the same at the times to be agreed between The Trader and the Client as  required. 

3.6 Any delay in the provision of the Services resulting from the Client’s failure or delay in  complying with any of the provisions of this Clause 3 shall not be the responsibility or fault of The  Trader. 

4. Fees, Payment and Records 

4.1 The Client shall pay the Fees to The Trader in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2  and this Clause 4. 

4.2 The Trader shall invoice the Client for Fees due in accordance with the provisions of  Schedule 2. 

4.3 All payments required to be made pursuant to this Agreement by either Party shall be made  within 40 Business Days of receipt by that Party of the relevant invoice. 

4.4 All payments required to be made pursuant to this Agreement by either Party shall be made  in UK sterling in cleared funds to such bank in as the receiving Party may from time to time  nominate, without any set-off, withholding or deduction except such amount (if any) of tax as that  Party is required to deduct or withhold by law. 

4.5 Where any payment pursuant to this Agreement is required to be made on a day that is not  a Business Day, it may be made on the next following Business Day. 

4.6 Without prejudice to sub-Clause 8.4.1, any sums which remain unpaid following the expiry  of the period set out in sub-Clause 4.3 shall incur interest on a daily basis at 8% above the base rate  of Bank of England from time to time until payment is made in full of any such outstanding sums. 

5. Liability, Indemnity and Insurance 

5.1 The Trader shall ensure that it has in place at all times suitable and valid insurance that shall  include public liability insurance. 

5.2 In the event that The Trader fails to perform the Services with reasonable care and skill it  shall carry out any and all necessary remedial action at no additional cost to the Client. 

5.3 The Trader’s total liability for any loss or damage caused as a result of its negligence or  breach of this Agreement shall be limited to the price paid under this Agreement. 

5.4 The Trader shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Client that results from  the Client’s failure to follow any instructions given by The Trader. 

5.5 Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or exclude The Trader’s liability for death or personal  injury. 

5.6 Subject to sub-Clause 5.3 The Trader shall indemnify the Client against any costs, liability,  damages, loss, claims or proceedings arising out of The Trader’s breach of this Agreement. 

5.7 The Client shall indemnify The Trader against any costs, liability, damages, loss, claims or  proceedings arising from loss or damage to any equipment (including that belonging to any third  parties appointed by The Trader) caused by the Client or its agents or employees. 

5.8 Neither Party shall be liable to the other or be deemed to be in breach of this Agreement by  reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of that Party’s obligations if the  delay or failure is due to any cause beyond that Party’s reasonable control. 

6. Guarantee 

6.1 The Trader guarantees that the product of all Services provided shall be free from any and all  defects for a period of 12 months following completion of the Services. 

6.2 If any defects in the product of the Services appear during the guarantee period set out in  sub-Clause 6.1 The Trader shall rectify any and all such defects at no cost to the Client. 

7. Force Majeure 

7.1 No Party to this Agreement shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing their  obligations where such failure or delay results from any cause that is beyond the reasonable control  of that Party. Such causes include, but are not limited to: power failure, internet service provider  failure, industrial action, civil unrest, fire, flood, storms, earthquakes, acts of terrorism, acts of war,  governmental action or any other event that is beyond the control of the Party in question. 

7.2 In the event that a Party to this Agreement cannot perform their obligations hereunder as a  result of force majeure for a continuous period of 1 month, the other Party may at its discretion  terminate this Agreement by written notice at the end of that period. In the event of such  termination, the Parties shall agree upon a fair and reasonable payment for all Services provided up  to the date of termination. Such payment shall take into account any prior contractual  commitments entered into in reliance on the performance of this Agreement. 

8. Term and Termination 

8.1 This Agreement shall come into force on [insert Commencement Date] and shall continue  for a Term of [insert Term] from that date, subject to the provisions of this Clause 8. 

8.2 Either Party shall have the right, subject to the agreement and consent of the other Party  and exercisable by giving not less than 1 month written notice to the other at any time prior to the  expiry of the Term specified in sub-Clause 8.1 (or any further period for which this Agreement has  been extended pursuant to this provision) to extend this Agreement for a further period of [insert  time period]. 

8.3 Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other not less than 1 calendar  months’ written notice, to expire on or at any time after [insert minimum term of agreement]. 

8.4 Either Party may immediately terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other  Party if:

8.4.1 any sum owing to that Party by the other Party under any of the provisions of this  Agreement is not paid within 10 Business Days of the due date for payment; 

8.4.2 the other Party commits any other breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement and, if  the breach is capable of remedy, fails to remedy it within 20 Business Days after being given written  notice giving full particulars of the breach and requiring it to be remedied; 

8.4.3 an encumbrancer takes possession, or where the other Party is a company, a receiver is  appointed, of any of the property or assets of that other Party; 

8.4.4 the other Party makes any voluntary arrangement with its creditors or, being a company,  becomes subject to an administration order (within the meaning of the Insolvency Act 1986); 

8.4.5 the other Party, being an individual or firm, has a bankruptcy order made against it or, being  a company, goes into liquidation (except for the purposes of bona fide amalgamation or re construction and in such a manner that the company resulting therefrom effectively agrees to be  bound by or assume the obligations imposed on that other Party under this Agreement); 

8.4.6 anything analogous to any of the foregoing under the law of any jurisdiction occurs in  relation to the other Party; 

8.4.7 that other Party ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business; or 

8.4.8 control of that other Party is acquired by any person or connected persons not having  control of that other Party on the date of this Agreement. For the purposes of this Clause 9,  “control” and “connected persons” shall have the meanings ascribed thereto by Sections 1124 and  1122 respectively of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. 

8.5 For the purposes of sub-Clause 8.4.2, a breach shall be considered capable of remedy if the  Party in breach can comply with the provision in question in all respects. 

8.6 The rights to terminate this Agreement given by this Clause 8 shall not prejudice any other  right or remedy of either Party in respect of the breach concerned (if any) or any other breach. 

9. Effects of Termination 

Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason: 

9.1 any sum owing by either Party to the other under any of the provisions of this Agreement  shall become immediately due and payable; 

9.2 all Clauses which, either expressly or by their nature, relate to the period after the expiry or  termination of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect; 

9.3 termination shall not affect or prejudice any right to damages or other remedy which the  terminating Party may have in respect of the event giving rise to the termination or any other right  to damages or other remedy which any Party may have in respect of any breach of this Agreement  which existed at or before the date of termination; 

9.4 subject as provided in this Clause 9 and except in respect of any accrued rights neither Party  shall be under any further obligation to the other

10. No Waiver 

No failure or delay by either Party in exercising any of its rights under this Agreement shall be  deemed to be a waiver of that right, and no waiver by either Party of a breach of any provision of  this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other  provision. 

11. Further Assurance 

Each Party shall execute and do all such further deeds, documents and things as may be necessary to  carry the provisions of this Agreement into full force and effect. 

12. Costs 

Subject to any provisions to the contrary each Party to this Agreement shall pay its own costs of and  incidental to the negotiation, preparation, execution and carrying into effect of this Agreement. 

13. Set-Off 

Neither Party shall be entitled to set-off any sums in any manner from payments due or sums  received in respect of any claim under this Agreement or any other agreement at any time. 

14. Assignment and Sub-Contracting 

14.1 Subject to sub-Clause 14.2 This Agreement is personal to the Parties. Neither Party may  assign, mortgage, charge (otherwise than by floating charge) or sub-licence or otherwise delegate  any of its rights hereunder, or sub-contract or otherwise delegate any of its obligations hereunder  without the written consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. 

14.2 The Trader shall be entitled to perform any of the obligations undertaken by it through any  other member of its group or through suitably qualified and skilled sub-contractors. Any act or  omission of such other member or sub-contractor shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be  deemed to be an act or omission of The Trader. 

15. Time 

15.1 The Parties agree that the times and dates referred to in this Agreement are for guidance  only and are not of the essence of this Agreement and may be varied by mutual agreement between  the Parties. 

16. Relationship of the Parties

Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed to constitute a partnership, joint venture,  agency or other fiduciary relationship between the Parties other than the contractual relationship  expressly provided for in this Agreement. 

17. Non-Solicitation 

17.1 Neither Party shall, for the Term of this Agreement and for a period of 6 months after its  termination or expiry, employ or contract the services of any person who is or was employed or  otherwise engaged by the other Party at any time in relation to this Agreement [without the express  written consent of that Party]. 

17.2 Neither Party shall, for the term of this Agreement and for a period of 6 months after its  termination or expiry, solicit or entice away from the other Party any customer or client where any  such solicitation or enticement would cause damage to the business of that Party [without the  express written consent of that Party]. 

18. Third Party Rights 

18.1 No part of this Agreement is intended to confer rights on any third parties and accordingly  the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this Agreement. 

18.2 Subject to this Clause 18 this Agreement shall continue and be binding on the transferee,  successors and assigns of either Party as required. 

19. Notices 

19.1 All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and be deemed duly given if signed by,  or on behalf of, a duly authorised officer of the Party giving the notice. 

19.2 Notices shall be deemed to have been duly given: 

19.2.1 when delivered, if delivered by courier or other messenger (including registered mail) during  normal business hours of the recipient; or 

19.2.2 when sent, if transmitted by facsimile or e-mail and a successful transmission report or  return receipt is generated; or 

19.2.3 on the fifth business day following mailing, if mailed by national ordinary mail, postage  prepaid; or 

19.2.4 on the tenth business day following mailing, if mailed by airmail, postage prepaid. 

In each case notices shall be addressed to the most recent address, e-mail address, or facsimile  number notified to the other Party. 

20. Entire Agreement

20.1 This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to its  subject matter and may not be modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the duly  authorised representatives of the Parties. 

20.2 Each Party acknowledges that, in entering into this Agreement, it does not rely on any  representation, warranty or other provision except as expressly provided in this Agreement, and all  conditions, warranties or other terms implied by statute or common law are excluded to the fullest  extent permitted by law. 

21. Counterparts 

This Agreement may be entered into in any number of counterparts and by the Parties to it on  separate counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all the  counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 

22. Severance 

In the event that one or more of the provisions of this Agreement is found to be unlawful, invalid or  otherwise unenforceable, that / those provision(s) shall be deemed severed from the remainder of  this Agreement. The remainder of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable. 

23. Dispute Resolution 

23.1 The Parties shall attempt to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement  through negotiations between their appointed representatives who have the authority to settle such  disputes. 

23.2 If negotiations under sub-Clause 24.1 do not resolve the matter within 15 working days of  receipt of a written invitation to negotiate, the parties will attempt to resolve the dispute in good  faith through an agreed Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) procedure. 

23.3 If the ADR procedure under sub-Clause 24.2 does not resolve the matter within 15 working  days of the initiation of that procedure, or if either Party will not participate in the ADR procedure,  the dispute may be referred to arbitration by either Party. 

23.4 The seat of the arbitration under sub-Clause 24.3 shall be England and Wales. The  arbitration shall be governed by the Arbitration Act 1996 and Rules for Arbitration as agreed  between the Parties. In the event that the Parties are unable to agree on the arbitrator(s) or the  Rules for Arbitration, either Party may, upon giving written notice to the other Party, apply to the  President or Deputy President for the time being of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators for the  appointment of an arbitrator or arbitrators and for any decision on rules that may be required. 

23.5 Nothing in this Clause 24 shall prohibit either Party or its affiliates from applying to a court  for interim injunctive relief. 

23.6 The Parties hereby agree that the decision and outcome of the final method of dispute  resolution under this Clause 24 shall be final and binding on both Parties.

24. Law and Jurisdiction 

24.1 This Agreement (including any non-contractual matters and obligations arising therefrom or  associated therewith) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England  and Wales. 

24.2 Subject to the provisions of Clause 24, any dispute, controversy, proceedings or claim  between the Parties relating to this Agreement (including any non-contractual matters and  obligations arising therefrom or associated therewith) shall fall within the jurisdiction of the courts  of England and Wales.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been duly executed the day and year first before written 

SIGNED by  

<<Name and Title of person signing for Trader>> 

for and on behalf of T Jefford Garden Services Limited

SIGNED by  

<<Name and Title of person signing for Client>>  

for and on behalf of <<Client’s Name>>

SCHEDULE 1 

Specification of Services 

<<Insert a detailed specification of all Services to be provided by The Trader to the Client under this  Agreement>> 

SCHEDULE 2 

Fees and Payment 

<<Insert complete details of all fees and payment requirements under this Agreement>>