Interested in training for your team? Click here to learn more

Incorporation by Reference of Terms and Conditions: Notice, Objection, Emphasis, Enforceability, Clear Reference Test

Recording of a 90-minute CLE video webinar with Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Conducted on Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Recorded event now available

or call 1-800-926-7926

The CLE webinar will guide counsel on the validity of terms incorporated by reference. The panel will discuss the rise of online terms and conditions incorporated into agreements and how to clarify that the parties had knowledge of and assented to the incorporated terms. The panel will review best practices when reviewing contracts with hidden terms and what is necessary for enforceability when clients wish to use incorporation by reference.

Description

A common tenet of contract law is that the terms of the agreement are contained within the four corners of the page. Increasingly, whether an agreement is online or physically presented, it includes a simple phrase: "You agree that your use of these services is governed by this agreement and the terms of service located on our website." This incorporation by reference leads to future claims and disputes, as those online terms often contain hidden and draconian clauses, such as auto-renewals, additional costs, and more.

When reviewing an agreement with a set of incorporation by reference terms and conditions, counsel must clarify if the parties had knowledge of and assented to the incorporated terms.

Case law has clarified that an incorporation by reference clause will be strictly construed. If the clause places limits, such as "all prices are subject to [Company's] terms and conditions," then a form-selection clause would not be enforceable. When contracting with the government, it is not considered best practice, but it is possible to incorporate by reference.

Listen as our authoritative panel discusses best practices when reviewing a contract that attempts to incorporate by reference any terms of services and best practices when an existing agreement presents issues due to such a clause.

READ MORE

Outline

  1. Incorporation by reference
    1. Requirement for enforceability
      1. Clear and express language
      2. Agreed and assented to by both parties
    2. Case law
      1. Limitations
    3. Best practices

Benefits

The panel will discuss these and other relevant topics:

  • What grounds can invalidate an incorporation by reference clause?
  • What recent cases have limited the enforceability of an incorporation by reference clause?
  • When contracting with the government, what practices should be utilized rather than incorporated by reference?

Faculty

Jacobson, Julia
Julia B. Jacobson

Partner
Squire Patton Boggs

Ms. Jacobson is a partner in the Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Digital Assets Practice. She offers practical and...  |  Read More

Ricci, Faye
Faye Ricci

Associate General Counsel
Boeing Employee Credit Union (BECU)

Ms. Ricci is currently Associate General Counsel at Boeing Employee Credit Union (BECU).  BECU is currently the...  |  Read More

Access Anytime, Anywhere

Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.

To find out which recorded format will provide the best CLE option, select your state:

CLE On-Demand Video

Download