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Learn the building blocks

Clause library

Every Lekha document is built from clauses. Here's what the common ones mean — in plain English, with the risk of getting them wrong and the relevant Indian law. Educational, not legal advice.

45 clauses

Governing law & jurisdiction

Fixes which State's courts and which body of law decide any dispute under the document.

Dispute resolution (arbitration)

Sends disputes to a private arbitrator instead of (or before) the courts.

Definition of Confidential Information

Defines exactly what information the recipient must keep secret.

Non-solicitation (in place of non-compete)

Stops a leaver from poaching employees or customers for a set period.

Security deposit

Sets the refundable deposit and the conditions and timeline for its return.

Notice period / termination

States how much advance notice either side must give to end the arrangement.

Intellectual property assignment

Transfers ownership of work product / IP created under the document.

Allocates who bears the cost if a third party brings a claim.

Excuses performance when extraordinary events outside either party's control intervene.

Limitation of liability

Caps how much one party can be made to pay if things go wrong.

Sets what is owed, when, and what happens if payment is late.

Termination for cause

Lets a party exit immediately on serious breach, insolvency or illegality.

Entire agreement

Makes the written document the complete and only agreement between the parties.

Keeps the rest of the document valid if one clause is struck down.

Specifies how and where formal communications must be sent.

Controls whether a party can transfer its rights/obligations to someone else.

Liquidated damages

Fixes a pre-agreed sum payable on specified breaches.

Confidentiality duration

States how long the duty of confidentiality lasts.

Return or destruction of materials

Requires confidential materials to be returned or destroyed when the relationship ends.

Defines exactly what rights are licensed — scope, exclusivity, territory and term.

Addresses the author's special rights of attribution and integrity.

Probation period

Sets an initial trial period before employment is confirmed.

Non-compete (post-employment)

Attempts to restrain a leaver from competing after the relationship ends.

Rent escalation

Sets how and when rent increases over the term.

Fixes a minimum period during which neither side can terminate early.

Data protection (DPDP)

Allocates responsibilities for handling personal data under Indian law.

Representations & warranties

Sets out the factual assurances each side gives the other.

Service levels (SLA)

Defines measurable performance standards and what happens if they're missed.

Controls whether and how a party may delegate work to third parties.

Lets one party inspect the other's relevant records to verify compliance.

Sets a process for agreeing changes to scope, price or timeline.

Publicity & use of marks

Controls whether either side may use the other's name or logo publicly.

Specifies which obligations continue after the contract ends.

Counterparts & e-signature

Allows the document to be signed in separate copies and electronically.

Recitals (Background / "Whereas")

Sets out the background facts and the parties' intention that led to the agreement, so the rest of the document can be read in context.

Definitions (Defined Terms)

Fixes the exact meaning of key words used throughout the document so every reference to them means the same thing.

Delivery of Possession / Handover

Requires the seller (or lessor) to actually hand over possession of the property to the buyer (or tenant) once the transfer is done.

Further Assurance

Commits each party to sign any additional documents and do any further acts reasonably needed to give full effect to the deal.

Binding Effect (Heirs, Successors and Assigns)

Makes the agreement binding not just on the signing parties but on their heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

Appointment of Executor

Names the person the will-maker chooses to carry out the will and administer the estate after death.

Residuary Estate (Residuary Clause)

Directs who inherits everything not already given away by the specific gifts in the will.

Verification / Solemn Declaration of Deponent

The signer's sworn statement, made on oath or affirmation before an authorised officer, that the contents of the affidavit are true.

Statutory Demand / Operative Demand

States precisely what the sender demands (payment of a specific sum, or an act) and the deadline to comply, turning a letter into an enforceable pre-litigation notice.

Remedies / Relief

Sets out what each side can ask a court for if the contract is broken - money compensation, and/or an order forcing performance or stopping a breach.

Independent Contractor Status

Records that the service provider works as an independent contractor, not an employee, so the hiring party does not owe employee-only obligations like PF, ESI or gratuity.