Retainer agreement

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Contract Law
Part of the common law series
Contract
Contract formation
Offer and acceptance  · Mailbox rule
Mirror image rule  · Invitation to treat
Firm offer  · Consideration
Defenses against formation
Lack of capacity to contract
Duress  · Undue influence
Illusory promise  · Statute of frauds
Non est factum
Contract interpretation
Parol evidence rule
Contract of adhesion
Integration clause
Contra proferentem
Excuses for non-performance
Mistake  · Misrepresentation
Frustration of purpose  · Impossibility
Impracticability  · Illegality
Unclean hands  · Unconscionability
Accord and satisfaction
Rights of third parties
Privity of contract
Assignment  · Delegation
Novation  · Third party beneficiary
Breach of contract
Anticipatory repudiation  · Cover
Exclusion clause  · Efficient breach
Fundamental breach
Remedies
Specific performance
Liquidated damages
Penal damages  · Rescission
Quasi-contractual obligations
Promissory estoppel
Quantum meruit
Subsets: Conflict of law
Commercial law
Other areas of the common law
Tort law  · Property law
Wills and trusts
Criminal law  · Evidence

A retainer agreement is work for hire contract intermediate between simple contracting and direct employment but essentially still contracting. One element that distinguishes it from any other service contract is that a primary consideration which the buyer purchases is an option on the sellers time. Another is that it is often a more general hire (and thus more like employment) than the typical contract which is focused on a particular single task or project. For this reason a separate agreement may be in effect for the performance aspect of the contractual relation between buyer and seller.

[edit] See also