The following five key principles provide the foundation for the establishment of balanced, equitable and insurable client–architect agreements. Clauses should:
- not unfairly extend the scope of the architect's services, or their legal duties
- not unreasonably increase the architect's liability for the services provided beyond that required at law
- not undermine the architect's entitlement to appropriate remuneration for service
- not override common-law and statutory rights
- include provisions that recognise mutual obligation.