Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Boilerplate definition

What does Boilerplate mean? Boilerplate describes the standard, non-commercial clauses commonly found in contracts that regulate how the agreement operates rather than the core bargain. It is not a statutory term; it is a descriptive label used across legal practice. Typical boilerplate clauses address: interpretation and definitions; entire agreement and non-reliance; variation and waiver; assignment, novation and subcontracting; notices; confidentiality; force majeure; severability; counterparts; costs; no partnership/agency; set-off; third party rights; and governing law, jurisdiction and dispute resolution. Although often precedent-based, boilerplate provisions materially affect risk allocation, enforcement and remedies, and can determine how claims are brought, what evidence is admissible, and which...

Boilerplate in public sector contracts: drafting to reflect legal powers, Procurement Act 2023 reforms, PPNs on SME access, remedies, and use of government standard contract templates

Published by a LexisNexis Commercial expert

Practice notes

STOP PRESS

From 24 February 2025, the core provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) have come into effect. Any procurement launched on or after that date must follow PA 2023, whereas those started under the prior regime must continue to be run and overseen under that framework.

Earlier legislation includes:

Public Contracts Regulations 2015
Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016
Concession Contracts Regulations 2016
Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011

The Cabinet Office has also refreshed its standard contract document collections, templates and guidance for the government’s Model Services Contract, Mid-Tier Contract and Short Form Contract. These updated materials were released to coincide with the PA 2023 ‘go-live’ on 24 February 2025.

This Practice Note will be revised shortly to reflect these changes. In the meantime, see News Analysis: Procurement Act 2023 ‘go live’—what happens next?, and Government model contracts updated for Procurement Act 2023 ‘go-live’—LNB News 24/02/2025 29 and Cabinet Office updates PPN 013: Using standard contracts—LNB News 28/04/2025 36.

Nature of Boilerplate provisions in public Sector contracts

Lawyers work across a broad spectrum of transactions, yet each, in some fashion, depends on written agreements...

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Michael Bowsher

Monckton Chambers

Michael Bowsher KC has a busy practice in public procurement, competition and commercial law, particularly in disputes concerning major public and public-private projects. He is particularly known for his unique practice in government and utility procurement in the United Kingdom, Ireland, elsewhere in Europe and beyond. Michael Bowsher KC has appeared as counsel in many of the major procurement cases over more than a decade. His contentious practice is complemented by a substantial practice in providing legal and strategic advice for bidders and purchasers throughout the procurement process. Michael has also has a busy competition law practice. He has acted in a number of recent matters involving essential facilities, competition in payment systems and now acting as leading counsel in a number of collective proceedings brought in the CAT. In recent years Michael has become increasingly involved in matters involving application and...

William Buck

Monckton Chambers

William practice covers a wide spectrum of high value commercial disputes, civil fraud, insolvency and offshore matters. He has been consistently recommended in Chambers and Partners (both in the UK and Global editions) as a leading commercial practitioner in his fields. He is ranked across four different practice areas, reflecting the spread of his expertise. As well as undertaking high value work in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court of England and Wales, he has a substantial international and cross-border practice, undertaking work in many other jurisdictions, such as the Isle of Man, Dubai, Jersey, Italy, Gibraltar, Spain, Germany and the USA, with expertise in contentious jurisdictional disputes and with handling a range of civil and common law legal systems. He has also successfully acted in a range of arbitrations and adjudications and has acted as an...

Francis Hornyold-Strickland

Monckton Chambers

Francis has a broad commercial practice, with a particular emphasis on international arbitration and commercial litigation, shipping & commodities (wet and dry), civil fraud, procurement, energy, professional negligence, and competition law. He is also well known for his expertise in bringing and defending interlocutory applications, including worldwide freezing orders, and proprietary injunctions. Francis is ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories 2026. Prior to joining Monckton Chambers Francis practised as an associate in the world-leading international arbitration practice at WilmerHale, where he worked on a range of high value, complex commercial arbitrations alongside some of the world’s top international arbitration practitioners, including Franz Schwarz and Gary Born....

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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