Contract Review
Before contracts are executed, the Office of University Legal Services
performs a review for legal sufficiency. Some contracts reviewed prior
to execution are:
- Contracts for purchases of goods and services.
- Personal service contracts.
- Affiliation and sponsored research agreements.
- Agreements with other institutions of higher education.
- Agreements with other governmental entities.
- Leases and purchases of real or personal property owned by the University or others.
- Any contract drafted, in whole or in part, by someone other than University Legal Services or an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Documents that deviate from a standard format already approved by University Legal Services.
- Other general contracts, memoranda of understanding or agreement, and similar documents.
After contract review, University Legal Services will indicate if
the contract has been approved as to form and will return it or route
it to signatories. If the contract is not approved as to form, counsel
will recommend changes to make it legally sufficient. Most changes are
not negotiable and are required for State entities. A contract which has
not been reviewed and approved is not considered binding on the
University and the signatory may be personally liable for its contents
and obligations.
View JMU policy on signature authority on contracts