Signing a Contract Under Pressure

"We need this signed by end of day." "Our standard contract — nothing unusual in it." "Everyone signs this." These are the phrases that lead people to sign contracts they later regret.

The pressure to sign quickly is almost always artificial. Contracts take time to negotiate on both sides. The other party has usually had their lawyers draft this document over days or weeks. You deserve more than 24 hours to review it.

Your right to take time

There is no legal obligation to sign a contract within any particular timeframe unless the contract itself specifies one. An offer can be withdrawn, but until it is, you are entitled to take reasonable time to consider it.

In consumer contracts, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides additional protections, including cancellation rights for contracts signed away from business premises. But even in business-to-business contracts, courts will rarely enforce a contract signed under duress.

How to ask for more time without damaging the relationship

The key is to frame your request professionally. These phrases work:

• "I'd like to review this properly before signing — can I have until [specific date]?"
• "I want to make sure I understand the terms fully. Would Thursday work for you?"
• "I'll have this back to you by the end of the week."

A reasonable counterparty will accept this without question. A counterparty who refuses to give you even a few extra days to review a significant contract is telling you something important about how the relationship will be.

Red flags in the pressure itself

Be especially cautious if you're told:

• "There's nothing unusual in it" — then why can't you have time to check?
• "Everyone signs this" — standard contracts can still contain unfair terms
• "We can't do the deal if you don't sign today" — genuine business partners don't usually operate this way
• "Our lawyers drafted this so it's all standard" — standard for whom?

What to prioritise if you genuinely have limited time

If you genuinely cannot get more time, focus on these sections first: the payment terms, the termination rights, the liability and indemnity clauses, and any restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicitation). These are where the most consequential terms are usually found.