Job Contracts and Business Agreements

Most musicians will sign a music contract at some stage of their career. The MU is here to make sure that when you do, you get the best possible deal.

Advice and resources

MU Standard contracts

Job Contracts for Freelance Work

Get your work in writing using contract templates for various types of engagements and work.

Music business

Specimen Agreements

Before you seek business contract advice, browse our range of example agreements for doing music business.

Specimen Sync Licences

Templates to help you negotiate synchronisation deals and agree appropriate terms for the use of your music

Employment Contracts

Use our UK employment contract advice resource to find out more about employment contracts and the conditions you should be wary of.

Legal services for members

Access Expert Contract Advice

For advice on music business contracts MU members can get expert advice at no extra cost.

Get Employment Legal Advice & Assistance

We can arrange for a specialist employment lawyer to review your contract and provide you with appropriate advice.

Recover Unpaid Fees

The MU can help when you haven’t been paid properly for your work.

Get Advice on Partnership Agreements

Access Legal Advice and Assistance on Work Issues

Upcoming events

Upcoming

Group of people smiling, drinking coffee and sharing things on their phones.

01 Jun 2024

WSWE Local Members' Day in Swindon

Two workshops on music education, a member meet up, one-to-one slots with an MU Official and Portable Appliance Testing.

Swindon

Upcoming

Male singer on a dimly lit, smokey stage, holding microphone to the crowd.

04 Jun 2024

PRS Webinar: How to Report Live Performances and Receive Royalties

Join the MU, FAC & MMF along with PRS at this online event about reporting live performances and receiving royalties from gigs.

Online

See all events

Once you start contracting other musicians and bringing other people in the studio you realise there’s paperwork that needs to be done.
Fiona BriceArranger, composer and violinist

All business relationships that you enter into should be clearly and carefully set out in agreements that are fair to all concerned.
Naomi PohlMU General Secretary

#WorkNotPlayMU

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Have you been asked to work for no fee?

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This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

A young man in a wheel chair writing in his journal and working on his computer.

What Could a UBI Do For My Trade Union?

Catch up with musician Balraj Samrai, Labour MP John McDonnell and others on why unions should support a universal basic income (UBI), plus find out how you can be part of the movement too.

Published: 13 May 2024

Young male musician sat in front of home studio with guitar.

New Specimen Agreement Launched for Composers Working in TV

A new agreement and reference notes have been created by the MU and the Ivors Academy as part of the Fair Score campaign, to help composers understand fair commissioning.

Published: 30 April 2024

Tom Plater speaking into a microphone at last year’s MU Delegate Conference.

MU Motion on AI and Music Copyright Passes Unanimously at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

Our delegate Tom Plater spoke at Conference where he discussed the importance of protecting creator rights in relation to Artificial Intelligence (AI). He was also nominated for the TUC Young Workers' Forum, where he will represent the MU for a second term.

Published: 03 April 2024

Black and white image of a session musician in the studio, looking at a screen and mixing desk.

MU Responds to BPI’s Latest Offer for Session Musicians

The BPI’s latest offer for session musicians is not worth the paper it’s written on. In this blog, MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear explains why and what the union is doing about it.

Published: 12 March 2024

Close up of someone holding a smart phone landscape in their hands, watching a streamed live music video through headphones.

Fix Streaming: Government Announces Equitable Remuneration Working Group Dominated by Labels

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl evaluates why the newly announced equitable remuneration working group is unbalanced, and how this directly impacts music creators and the fix streaming campaign.

Published: 22 February 2024

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Job Contracts and Business Agreements

Advice and resources

Job Contracts for Freelance Work

Specimen Agreements

Specimen Sync Licences

Employment Contracts

Legal services for members

Access Expert Contract Advice

Get Employment Legal Advice & Assistance

Recover Unpaid Fees

Get Advice on Partnership Agreements

Access Legal Advice and Assistance on Work Issues

Upcoming events

Upcoming

WSWE Local Members' Day in Swindon

Upcoming

PRS Webinar: How to Report Live Performances and Receive Royalties

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

What Could a UBI Do For My Trade Union?

New Specimen Agreement Launched for Composers Working in TV

MU Motion on AI and Music Copyright Passes Unanimously at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

MU Responds to BPI’s Latest Offer for Session Musicians

Fix Streaming: Government Announces Equitable Remuneration Working Group Dominated by Labels