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

Last chance to book

Black and white image of a musician from behind, looking at a computer screen while they compose electronic music in a studio.

29 Apr 2024

MU x Ivors Academy Panel: Fair Score Specimen Agreement Launch

Join the MU and Ivors Academy for a free, online panel discussion aimed at all media composers, to launch our new Fair Score Specimen TV Commissioning Agreement.

Online

Upcoming

Wooden person stepping across ascending blocks, there are coins on the final step representing financial growth. In the background there are icons of a laptop, phone and PC, representing distribution.

10 May 2024

How To Get a Publishing Deal and Do You Need One?

An online introduction to the world of publishing deals for songwriters, available to MU members based in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Online Member only

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

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

A pair of headphones and mobile phone streaming music on a wooden table.

Music Streaming Transparency Code Announced by Government

The Musicians' Union is one of 12 signatories to the Code of Good Practice on Transparency in Music Streaming. 

Published: 31 January 2024

Musicians’ Union Strike Action at English National Opera Makes Headlines in BBC News, Guardian, Telegraph and More

Did you see the news? On 17 January, the Musicians’ Union announced the first strike by members for 44 years.

Published: 23 January 2024

See all latest news

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