Written agreements are standard business practice. In the editorial context, they serve to prevent misunderstandings or unfairness by ensuring that an editor and his or her client clarify assumptions and acknowledge all fees/expenses, deadlines and conditions before work begins. When a client asks an editor to undertake an editing project, both parties enter a legal relationship, and it is in both parties' interest to specify the terms of that relationship in writing.

The Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement (created by EAC in 1985 and updated in 1999) is a template for spelling out the nature and terms of an agreement between an editor and a client. It details editorial responsibilities; specifies the agreed fees, reimbursements and deadlines; and states what terms shall apply if either party terminates the contract before completion. Schedule A clearly defines various editorial activities so that the editor and the client can agree unambiguously on the work to be done. The completed form is a binding legal document.

The Agreement may be used as is or customized to suit the job.

The Editors' Association of Canada accepts no liability with respect to the proper completion of the agreement or alterations made to it.

To download a copy of the contract, click on the desired format:

• Microsoft Word (DOC, 34 KB)
• WordPerfect (WPD, 36 KB)
• Adobe Acrobat (PDF, 16 KB)

To download a French copy of the contract, click on the desired format:

• Microsoft Word (DOC, 86 Ko)
• Adobe Acrobat (PDF, 118 Ko)