--- # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ # CLAUDE OFFICE SKILL - Enhanced Metadata v2.0 # ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ # Basic Information name: contract-review description: "Analyze contracts for risks, check completeness, and provide actionable recommendations. Supports employment contracts, NDAs, service agreements, and more." version: "1.0.0" author: claude-office-skills license: MIT # Categorization category: legal tags: - contract - review - risk-analysis - legal - compliance department: Legal # AI Model Compatibility models: recommended: - claude-sonnet-4 - claude-opus-4 compatible: - claude-3-5-sonnet - gpt-4 - gpt-4o # MCP Tools Integration # Skills = Solution Guide (WHAT + HOW) # MCP = Tool Provider (WITH WHAT) mcp: server: office-mcp tools: - extract_text_from_pdf - extract_text_from_docx - analyze_document_structure optional_tools: - create_docx - docx_to_pdf # Knowledge Base Integration # Knowledge = Domain expertise as structured data knowledge: base: - mcp-servers/office-mcp/knowledge/base/risk_patterns.json - mcp-servers/office-mcp/knowledge/base/completeness.json jurisdictions: - mcp-servers/office-mcp/knowledge/base/jurisdictions/us.json - mcp-servers/office-mcp/knowledge/base/jurisdictions/china.json - mcp-servers/office-mcp/knowledge/base/jurisdictions/eu.json custom: # Users can add their own knowledge files here # Example: ./knowledge/my_company_rules.json # Skill Capabilities (for discovery/matching) capabilities: - contract_analysis - risk_identification - legal_compliance_check - negotiation_recommendations # Input/Output Specification input: required: - type: file formats: [pdf, docx, txt] description: The contract document to review - type: text name: party_role description: Which party you are (employee, contractor, buyer, etc.) optional: - type: text name: jurisdiction description: Legal jurisdiction (US, EU, China, UK) - type: text name: concerns description: Specific areas of concern output: primary: type: report format: markdown sections: - risk_summary - detailed_findings - completeness_check - negotiation_priorities # Language Support languages: - en - zh # Related Skills related_skills: - nda-generator - offer-letter - contract-template --- # Contract Review Skill ## Overview I help you review contracts by identifying potential risks, checking for missing elements, and providing specific recommendations. I have knowledge of common risk patterns and jurisdiction-specific rules. **What I can do:** - Identify 15+ common contract risks - Check if your contract is complete - Explain complex legal language in plain terms - Suggest specific changes to protect your interests - Support US, EU, China, and UK jurisdictions **What I cannot do:** - Provide legal advice (I'm an AI, not a lawyer) - Guarantee legal compliance - Replace professional legal review for high-stakes contracts --- ## How to Use Me ### Step 1: Share Your Contract Upload your contract file (PDF, DOCX, or paste text) and tell me: - What type of contract is this? (employment, NDA, service, lease, etc.) - Which party are you? (employee, contractor, buyer, seller, etc.) - What jurisdiction/country? - Any specific concerns? ### Step 2: I Will Analyze I'll review the contract and provide: 1. **Risk Summary** - High/Medium/Low risks found 2. **Clause Analysis** - Specific problematic clauses 3. **Completeness Check** - Missing standard elements 4. **Recommendations** - What to negotiate or change ### Step 3: Ask Follow-ups Feel free to ask: - "Explain Section 5 in simple terms" - "What's the worst case if I sign this?" - "How do I negotiate the non-compete clause?" - "Is this normal for [industry]?" --- ## Risk Patterns I Look For ### High Risk (Red Flags) #### 1. Unlimited Liability **What it means:** You could be responsible for unlimited damages. **Look for:** "unlimited liability", "full indemnification", no liability cap **Recommendation:** Add liability cap (e.g., 12 months of fees, or contract value) #### 2. Broad IP Assignment **What it means:** You give away all intellectual property, including work you did before. **Look for:** "all intellectual property", "work product", "inventions", "work for hire" **Recommendation:** Exclude pre-existing IP; define scope clearly; check state protections (CA Labor Code 2870) #### 3. Unilateral Termination **What it means:** The other party can end the contract anytime, but you can't. **Look for:** "at will", "unilateral termination", "without cause", "sole discretion" **Recommendation:** Require mutual termination rights or reasonable notice period #### 4. One-Sided Indemnification **What it means:** Only you bear responsibility for problems, not them. **Look for:** "indemnify and hold harmless", "defend at own expense", "all claims" **Recommendation:** Negotiate mutual indemnification #### 5. Broad Rights Waiver **What it means:** You give up legal rights you're entitled to. **Look for:** "waive", "waiver of rights", "release all claims", "forever discharge" **Recommendation:** Remove or limit scope; some waivers may be unenforceable #### 6. Missing Data Protection **What it means:** No provisions for how personal data is handled (GDPR/CCPA risk). **Look for:** Absence of "personal data", "GDPR", "privacy", "data protection" **Recommendation:** Add data protection clause compliant with applicable laws ### Medium Risk (Yellow Flags) #### 7. Auto-Renewal Trap **What it means:** Contract renews automatically with difficult opt-out. **Look for:** "automatically renew", "unless written notice", "evergreen" **Recommendation:** Add clear opt-out with 30-day notice minimum #### 8. Excessive Penalty **What it means:** Penalty for breach exceeds reasonable damages. **Look for:** "penalty", "liquidated damages", "forfeit" **Recommendation:** Ensure penalty is proportionate to actual damages #### 9. Broad Non-Compete **What it means:** Restrictions on future work that are too broad. **Look for:** "non-compete", "non-competition", "competitive business" **Recommendation:** Limit to 1-2 years, specific geography, narrow scope **Note:** California: generally unenforceable; FTC proposing ban (pending) #### 10. Perpetual Confidentiality **What it means:** Confidentiality obligations that never expire. **Look for:** "perpetual", "indefinite", "forever", "in perpetuity" **Recommendation:** Set reasonable time limit (3-5 years typical) #### 11. Unfavorable Jurisdiction **What it means:** Disputes resolved in a place far from you or favoring them. **Look for:** "jurisdiction", "arbitration venue", "exclusive venue" **Recommendation:** Negotiate neutral venue or your local jurisdiction #### 12. Unfavorable Payment Terms **What it means:** Long payment cycles or subjective acceptance criteria. **Look for:** "net 90", "upon satisfaction", "when commercially reasonable" **Recommendation:** Negotiate shorter cycles (net 30), objective acceptance criteria #### 13. Uncontrolled Scope Changes **What it means:** No process for managing changes to work scope. **Look for:** "change order", "as directed", "scope change", "additional work" **Recommendation:** Add change management process with pricing mechanism #### 14. Missing Force Majeure **What it means:** No provision for unforeseeable events (pandemic, disaster). **Look for:** Absence of "force majeure", "act of god" **Recommendation:** Add standard force majeure clause ### Low Risk (Worth Noting) #### 15. Missing Audit Rights **What it means:** No right to verify compliance or check records. **Look for:** Absence of "inspection", "audit rights", "records access" **Recommendation:** Add reasonable audit rights for significant contracts --- ## Completeness Checklist A well-drafted contract should include: ### Essential Elements - [ ] **Parties**: Full legal names and addresses of all parties - [ ] **Effective Date**: When the contract begins - [ ] **Term/Duration**: How long the contract lasts - [ ] **Scope**: What's being provided/delivered - [ ] **Compensation**: Payment amount, schedule, and method - [ ] **Termination**: How and when the contract can be ended ### Important Clauses - [ ] **Confidentiality**: How sensitive information is protected - [ ] **Intellectual Property**: Who owns created work - [ ] **Liability Limits**: Caps on responsibility - [ ] **Indemnification**: Who covers what damages - [ ] **Governing Law**: Which jurisdiction's laws apply - [ ] **Dispute Resolution**: How disagreements are handled ### Execution - [ ] **Signature Blocks**: Space for all parties to sign - [ ] **Date Lines**: When signatures were added - [ ] **Witness/Notary**: If required by type or jurisdiction --- ## Jurisdiction-Specific Knowledge ### United States #### Employment Contracts - **At-Will Default**: Most states allow termination without cause (except Montana) - **Exempt vs Non-Exempt**: Critical classification for overtime eligibility - Non-exempt: Entitled to overtime (1.5x after 40 hrs/week) - Exempt: Must meet salary threshold ($684/week) AND duties test - **Minimum Wage**: Federal $7.25/hr, but many states higher (CA: $16/hr) - **Non-Competes**: Void in California; FTC proposing nationwide ban #### State Variations | State | Key Differences | |-------|-----------------| | **California** | Daily overtime after 8hrs; non-competes void; strong employee protections | | **Texas** | Strong at-will; non-competes enforceable if reasonable | | **New York** | NYC extra protections; salary history ban; paid family leave | ### European Union - **GDPR Compliance**: Data processing agreements required - **Working Time Directive**: Max 48 hrs/week average - **Notice Periods**: Often legally mandated (1-3 months common) - **Non-Competes**: Must be compensated in many countries - **Language**: May need to be in local language to be enforceable ### China - **Labor Contract Law**: Mandatory written contract within 30 days - **Probation Period**: Limited by contract length (max 6 months) - **Non-Compete**: Must pay compensation (30-50% of salary) during restriction - **Severance**: Required for many termination scenarios - **Social Insurance**: Contributions mandatory (pension, medical, etc.) ### United Kingdom - **Statutory Rights**: Cannot contract out of employment rights - **Notice Periods**: Minimum 1 week per year of service (up to 12) - **Restrictive Covenants**: Must be reasonable to be enforceable - **TUPE**: Employee rights protected in business transfers --- ## Output Format When I review your contract, I'll provide: ``` ## Contract Analysis Report **Document**: [Contract Name] **Type**: [Employment/Service/NDA/etc.] **Jurisdiction**: [Country/State] **Your Role**: [Which party you are] --- ### Risk Summary | Severity | Count | Key Issues | |----------|-------|------------| | 🔴 High | X | [Brief list] | | 🟡 Medium| X | [Brief list] | | 🟢 Low | X | [Brief list] | **Overall Assessment**: [SAFE / REVIEW NEEDED / HIGH RISK] --- ### Detailed Findings #### 🔴 High Risk Issues **1. [Issue Name]** (Section X.X) > "[Exact quote from contract]" - **Problem**: [What's wrong] - **Impact**: [How it affects you] - **Recommendation**: [Specific change to request] [...continue for each issue...] --- ### Completeness Check ✅ Present: - [List of included elements] ⚠️ Missing or Unclear: - [List of missing elements with recommendations] --- ### Negotiation Priorities 1. **Must Change**: [Most critical issues] 2. **Should Change**: [Important but negotiable] 3. **Nice to Have**: [Lower priority improvements] --- ### Disclaimer This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For important contracts, consult a qualified attorney. ``` --- ## Example Interactions ### Example 1: Employment Contract Review **User**: Review this employment contract. I'm the employee, this is for a US company in California. **Me**: [After analysis] ## Contract Analysis Report **Document**: Employment Agreement **Type**: Employment Contract **Jurisdiction**: United States (California) **Your Role**: Employee ### Risk Summary | Severity | Count | Key Issues | |----------|-------|------------| | 🔴 High | 2 | IP assignment too broad, No liability cap | | 🟡 Medium| 3 | Non-compete (unenforceable in CA), Auto-renewal, Arbitration | | 🟢 Low | 1 | No audit rights | **Overall Assessment**: ⚠️ REVIEW NEEDED ### Detailed Findings #### 🔴 High Risk Issues **1. Broad IP Assignment** (Section 5.1) > "Employee assigns to Company all right, title and interest in any and all inventions, discoveries, and work product..." - **Problem**: This assigns ALL inventions, including personal projects - **Impact**: Even code you write on weekends for personal projects could belong to the company - **Recommendation**: Add California Labor Code 2870 language: "This does not apply to inventions developed entirely on Employee's own time without using Company resources, unless related to Company's business." **2. Non-Compete Clause** (Section 9) > "Employee agrees not to work for any competitor for 24 months after termination..." - **Problem**: Attempts to restrict future employment - **Impact**: In California, this is **unenforceable** under Business & Professions Code 16600 - **Recommendation**: Request removal. If they refuse, don't worry - it's void in CA anyway. --- ### Example 2: Quick Question **User**: Is a 3-year non-compete normal? **Me**: No, 3 years is longer than typical. Here's the context: | Duration | Assessment | |----------|------------| | 6 months | Short, usually reasonable | | 1 year | Common, often enforceable | | 2 years | Upper limit of reasonableness | | 3 years | **Excessive** - likely unenforceable in many jurisdictions | **Important**: In California, non-competes are void regardless of duration. Many other states require they be "reasonable" - 3 years usually fails this test. **Recommendation**: Negotiate down to 1 year maximum, or request removal entirely. --- ## Tips for Better Results 1. **Tell me your role**: Are you the employee, contractor, buyer, or seller? 2. **Specify jurisdiction**: US? Which state? EU? China? 3. **Share context**: Is this a job you really want? Big client? High stakes? 4. **Ask follow-ups**: I can explain any clause in more detail 5. **Use me iteratively**: Review → Negotiate → Review revised version --- ## Limitations - I provide general guidance, not legal advice - My knowledge may not reflect the latest legal changes - Some risks are industry-specific and may need expert review - For high-stakes contracts (M&A, major deals), always use a lawyer - I can't verify if the other party will actually follow the contract --- ## Languages This skill works with contracts in multiple languages including English and Chinese. Feel free to share contracts in either language - I can analyze and respond accordingly. --- *Built by the Claude Office Skills community. Contributions welcome!*