Independent Contractor Agreements for South African Businesses
Hire freelancers and contractors with confidence. Clearly define the working relationship while maintaining legal independence.
Maintain Legal Independence
Clearly establish contractor status to avoid employee misclassification
IP & Confidentiality Protection
Protect your business with intellectual property and confidentiality clauses
Attorney-Ready Format
Professional structure ready for legal review and contractor signing
Everything You Need in Your Independent Contractor Agreement
Our AI generates comprehensive Independent Contractor Agreements covering all essential working terms and legal protections for South African contractor relationships.
Essential Contractor Terms
- Independent contractor status (not employee)
- Scope of work and deliverables
- Payment terms and invoicing
- Project timeline and deadlines
- Tools and equipment provisions
- Subcontracting rights (if applicable)
Protection & Legal Clauses
- Intellectual property assignment
- Confidentiality obligations
- Non-compete provisions (if needed)
- Liability and indemnification
- Termination rights
- Dispute resolution
Your Contractor Agreement in 3 Simple Steps
No legal expertise required. Just answer our guided questionnaire and let our AI create a professional, customized contractor agreement.
Answer Simple Questions
Describe the work scope, payment terms, project timeline, contractor responsibilities, and independence factors. Takes about 5-10 minutes.
AI Generates Your Agreement
Our AI creates a comprehensive Independent Contractor Agreement establishing clear independence and protecting your business. No generic templates.
Review & Sign
Receive your agreement via email in PDF format (or add Word/Google Docs for R50 extra). Review, have your attorney finalize if needed, and start working with contractors!
Why Small Businesses Choose Lawly
Hire contractors with confidence while avoiding employee misclassification risks. Our Independent Contractor Agreements are designed specifically for South African businesses.
Fast & Affordable
Generate professional contractor agreements in minutes at a fraction of traditional legal costs. From R199 compared to R2500+ for attorney-drafted contracts.
Fully Customized
Every agreement is uniquely generated for your specific contractor relationship. Not fill-in-the-blank templates. True AI-powered customization.
SA Legal Framework
Structured around South African employment and contract law to clearly establish independent contractor status.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees. No subscriptions. Pay once and access your agreement for 1 year.
PDF Format
Perfect for most businesses
- Customized Independent Contractor Agreement
- PDF format (printable)
- 1-year access to your document
- Email delivery within minutes
- Convert to editable format using free online tools if needed
All Formats
Maximum flexibility
- Everything in PDF format
- + Microsoft Word (.docx)
- + Google Docs (editable link)
- Easy editing and customization
- Save R50 vs. buying formats separately
Need multiple documents?
Check out our Business Bundles (5 or 13 documents) for bigger savingsFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Independent Contractor Agreements
Employee vs. Independent Contractor - what's the legal difference?
An employee works under your direct control with set hours, equipment provided, and employee benefits. An independent contractor works independently, uses their own tools, sets their own hours, and can work for multiple clients. Misclassifying employees as contractors can result in significant legal penalties including back-payment of benefits, SARS penalties, and labour disputes.
Why is proper classification important in South Africa?
South African labour law provides significant protections to employees (BCEA, Labour Relations Act). If CCMA or SARS determines you've misclassified an employee as a contractor, you face back-payment of UIF, SDL, leave pay, and potential labour dispute costs. A properly drafted Independent Contractor Agreement helps establish and maintain the independent relationship.
Can contractors work for multiple clients?
Yes! This is one of the key indicators of independent contractor status. Contractors should have the freedom to work for other clients, use their own business name, and control their own work methods. Restricting this freedom may indicate an employment relationship.
Who owns the work product created?
By default, the contractor owns intellectual property they create. However, your Independent Contractor Agreement should include IP assignment clauses transferring ownership of work product to your business. This is essential for protecting your investment, especially for development work, designs, or creative content.
Do contractors get employee benefits?
No, independent contractors are not entitled to employee benefits like leave pay, UIF, medical aid contributions, or pension fund contributions. They invoice for services rendered and are responsible for their own tax, insurance, and benefits. This is a cost advantage of using contractors, but proper classification is critical.
How do I terminate a contractor agreement?
Termination procedures should be specified in the agreement. Unlike employee terminations which require fair procedures and notice under BCEA, contractor relationships can typically be terminated based on contract terms (e.g., project completion, notice period, or breach). However, ensure your agreement includes clear termination clauses to avoid disputes.
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Generate a professional, customized Independent Contractor Agreement in minutes. Protect your business while maintaining legal independence.