Running a dental practice will generate a large number of contracts for the sale of goods or the provision of a service. These are typically legally binding agreements with your patients, suppliers or other trades people. The terms of these contracts are generally based upon what is discussed and agreed between the parties. The terms don't need to be in writing but it is often clearer when they are. Even when these contracts are in writing there are often clauses that aren't included because they are implied by the law. For example, that the goods sold will be fit for purpose. However, a contract can include clauses that expressly exclude some of these implied terms and so it is important to understand what your statutory rights are and how you will be impacted by any exclusion clauses included in your contracts.
Individual consumers are protected by legislation such as the Sale of Goods Act and the Supply of Goods and Services Act. These set statutory rights which impose certain implied terms into a contract, including:
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Goods must be of satisfactory quality
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Goods must be free from any fault
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Goods must be fit for purpose
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Services must be performed with reasonable skill and care
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Services must be provided within a reasonable time.
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