Clause checklist - what a contract is missing, and what bites

Philosophy

The most expensive clauses are the ones that are not in the contract. Reviewing a contract is not only reading what is written - it is checking that no safeguard this deal needs is absent. This skill walks the contract against a fixed list of 41 clause categories and, for each, says: present / absent / present-but-risky, quoting the clause when present.

It is extractive - what it shows comes from the contract, not from paraphrase. It flags presence and risk; the assessment and the call stay with the lawyer.

The 41 categories (CUAD taxonomy)

Groups follow CUAD (1-6) plus ungrouped categories. For each: present / absent / risky + a quote when present.

Contract metadata

• Document name, Parties (verify authority to sign), Governing law.