Mastering the Art of Drafting Commercial Contracts: Strategic Negotiation, Rigorous Due Diligence, Precision Documentation, and Dispute Prevention Techniques
Location: Lagos
Duration: 3 Days
Target Audience: African transactional lawyers, corporate in-house lawyers, government lawyers, legal professionals in procurement, finance, and regulatory roles, compliance officers, and commercial advisors.
Training Overview
This immersive program delivers a deeply practical, experiential, and professional approach to commercial contract drafting, negotiation, due diligence, and dispute prevention. Tailored specifically for African legal and commercial professionals, the curriculum equips participants with actionable skills to address real-world challenges in commercial transactions.
Training Format:
- Practical, clinical, and experiential focus
- Case studies, simulations, and real-world exercises
- Scenario-based capstone project for drafting, negotiation, and dispute prevention
- Interactive group activities at every step
Day 1: Foundations and Strategic Negotiation
Morning Session: Introduction to Commercial Contracts
- Understanding the Building Blocks of Commercial Contracts
- Key Principles of Contract Law in Commercial Transactions
- The Role of Contracts in Business, Risk Mitigation, and Dispute Prevention
- Case Study: Analyzing Real-World Commercial Contracts
Midday Session: Strategic Contract Negotiation
- Preparing for Negotiations: Due Diligence and Risk Assessment
- Understanding Parties’ Interests, Objectives, and Priorities
- Effective Negotiation Strategies: Win-Win Outcomes and Avoiding Pitfalls
- Simulation: Role-Playing Negotiation Scenarios
Evening Session: Practical Group Exercise
- Team-Based Contract Negotiation Simulation
- Faculty Feedback: Key Strategies for Success
Day 2: Rigorous Due Diligence and Precision Drafting
Morning Session: Rigorous Due Diligence
- Identifying Red Flags in Contracts: Financial, Legal, and Operational Risks
- Conducting Due Diligence on Counterparties
- Reviewing Contracts for Risk Allocation, Clarity, and Completeness
- Hands-On Exercise: Developing a Due Diligence Checklist
Midday Session: Precision in Drafting Commercial Contracts
- Key Clauses in Commercial Contracts: Drafting, Interpreting, and Reviewing
- Payment Terms and Conditions
- Warranties, Indemnities, and Liabilities
- Termination and Force Majeure Clauses
- Dispute Resolution Clauses: ADR, Arbitration, and Litigation
- Workshop: Drafting and Reviewing Key Contract Clauses
Evening Session: Drafting for Cross-Border Transactions
- Tailoring Contracts for African and Cross-Border Commercial Transactions
- Faculty Feedback: Review of Drafted Clauses
Day 3: Dispute Prevention and Capstone Project
Morning Session: Preventing and Managing Contractual Disputes
- Identifying Common Sources of Disputes and Drafting to Avoid Ambiguity
- Integrating Effective Dispute Prevention Mechanisms
- Using ADR, Arbitration, and Mediation in Commercial Contracts
- Mock Session: Simulated Negotiation and Mediation of Contractual Disputes
Midday Session: Capstone Project: Commercial Contract Simulation Participants will collaborate in teams to:
- Conduct Due Diligence on a Hypothetical Commercial Transaction
- Draft, Negotiate, and Finalize a Comprehensive Commercial Contract
- Identify and Mitigate Potential Risks and Disputes through Precision Drafting and Strategic Negotiation
Evening Session: Capstone Project Presentations and Faculty Feedback
- Team Presentations of Final Contracts
- Faculty Feedback: Real-Time Practical Recommendations and Insights
Trends, Insights, and Best Practices
- Global Trends in Drafting Commercial Contracts
- Innovations and Technology in Contract Management (e.g., AI and Digital Contracts)
- Best Practices Tailored to African and Cross-Border Transactions
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Draft clear, precise, and enforceable commercial contracts.
- Conduct rigorous due diligence to identify and mitigate risks.
- Strategically negotiate commercial agreements to achieve favorable outcomes.
- Integrate dispute prevention techniques into contracts to avoid costly litigation.
- Apply practical tools and strategies tailored to African commercial contexts.
Faculty Composition
- Leading transactional lawyers with cross-border expertise
- Corporate in-house counsel and government legal advisors
- Contract management experts and ADR specialists
- Regulatory and compliance professionals
Session Format
- Morning: Expert-led interactive lectures and discussions
- Midday: Hands-on drafting, negotiation, and simulation exercises
- Evening: Capstone project preparation, group work, and faculty feedback
Practical Tools Provided
- Customizable contract templates
- Due diligence checklists
- Drafting and negotiation toolkits
This program ensures participants gain skills that are immediately applicable to their professional responsibilities, with practical, real-world relevance for African commercial and transactional lawyers.