Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Contract Amendment
"I need a contract amendment to extend the project deadline by 3 months, increase the budget by £5,000, and update the payment schedule to include a 10% advance payment, with all other terms remaining unchanged."
What is a Contract Amendment?
A Contract Amendment changes specific parts of an existing contract while keeping the rest of the original agreement in place. Think of it like updating your phone's software - you're improving certain features without replacing the whole device. These changes can add new terms, remove outdated ones, or modify existing provisions to better suit both parties' needs.
Under English law, both parties must agree to the amendment in writing for it to be legally binding. Most commercial contracts include specific amendment clauses that outline how changes should be made. Common uses include extending contract dates, adjusting prices, or updating service requirements - making amendments a practical tool for keeping agreements current without starting from scratch.
When should you use a Contract Amendment?
Use a Contract Amendment when you need to make specific changes to an existing agreement while keeping its core structure intact. Common triggers include adjusting payment terms, extending deadlines, updating service specifications, or modifying delivery schedules. This approach saves time and money compared to drafting an entirely new contract.
A Contract Amendment makes perfect sense when both parties agree to relatively minor changes. For major overhauls affecting fundamental terms or completely new business arrangements, creating a fresh contract often works better. Key moments to consider amendments include annual price reviews, staff changes, regulatory updates, or when expanding the scope of services.
What are the different types of Contract Amendment?
- Amendment To Agreement: Basic template for modifying any contract terms while preserving the original structure
- Commercial Lease Addendum: Specifically designed for updating commercial property agreements and rental terms
- Addendum To Extend Contract: Used to lengthen contract duration and update associated timelines
- Amendment And Assignment Agreement: Combines term changes with transfer of rights to new parties
- Add Remove A Tenant Lease Amendment: Tailored for modifying tenant parties in residential lease agreements
Who should typically use a Contract Amendment?
- Business Owners & Directors: Primary decision-makers who initiate Contract Amendments to adapt agreements to changing business needs
- Legal Counsel: Draft and review amendments to ensure legal compliance and protect client interests
- Contract Managers: Oversee amendment processes, track changes, and maintain documentation throughout the contract lifecycle
- Commercial Teams: Identify needs for amendments based on operational requirements and negotiate new terms
- Company Secretaries: Ensure proper execution of amendments and maintain corporate records
- External Stakeholders: Business partners, suppliers, or customers who must agree to and sign the amended terms
How do you write a Contract Amendment?
- Original Contract Review: Locate and review the original agreement, noting section numbers and exact wording to be changed
- Party Details: Confirm current legal names and contact information for all parties involved in the amendment
- Change Scope: List specific modifications needed, including new terms, deleted sections, or updated provisions
- Amendment Authority: Check the original contract's amendment clause for required procedures and approvals
- Documentation: Gather supporting materials like pricing updates, new specifications, or timeline changes
- Digital Platform: Use our template system to generate a legally sound amendment, ensuring all required elements are included
- Signature Requirements: Identify who needs to sign and their preferred signing method
What should be included in a Contract Amendment?
- Original Contract Reference: Clear identification of the agreement being modified, including date and parties
- Amendment Date: Effective date when changes take effect
- Party Details: Full legal names and addresses of all involved parties
- Amendment Scope: Precise description of what's being changed, added, or removed
- Unchanged Terms: Statement confirming all other original contract terms remain in force
- Consideration Statement: Mention of value exchange to make the amendment legally binding
- Authorised Signatures: Signature blocks for all parties with titles and dates
- Governing Law: Confirmation that English law applies to the amendment
What's the difference between a Contract Amendment and an Addendum to Contract?
A Contract Amendment differs significantly from an Addendum to Contract in several key ways, though both modify existing agreements. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right document for your situation.
- Modification Approach: Amendments directly change the original contract's terms by replacing or striking out specific provisions, while addenda supplement the original by adding new terms without removing existing ones
- Integration Method: Amendments become part of the main contract, effectively rewriting portions of it, whereas addenda remain separate documents that are attached to the original
- Scope of Changes: Amendments typically handle substantial changes to core terms like price, duration, or obligations, while addenda usually address new or additional terms without altering the original agreement's essence
- Legal Structure: Under English law, amendments require explicit reference to the sections being modified, while addenda focus on introducing supplementary provisions
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ³Ò±ð²Ô¾±±ð’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.