Why Contracts Matter

by Miles Barnes

Following on from Ben Thorogood’s session on day one of the conference which focused heavily on Quality Technical Agreements (QTAs), on day two of the UK GDP Association Annual Conference, Miles Barnes provided a practical and candid exploration on how contracts underpin compliance, performance, and risk mitigation within the pharmaceutical supply chain. He highlighted that well-designed contracts are not merely legal formalities, they are essential tools that protect Licence Holders, safeguard patients, and strengthen operational resilience.

About Miles Barnes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miles Barnes is a commercial law specialist at Howes Percival, advising clients across the pharmaceutical, life sciences and regulated sectors. With expertise in drafting, negotiating, and managing commercial contracts, Miles helps organisations protect their interests while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks such as GDP, GMP, data protection, and supply chain governance.

Known for his clear, practical communication style, Miles works closely with clients to simplify complex contractual requirements and ensure that agreements are both workable in practice and robust in law. His advice coves supplier contracts, service level agreements, and QTAs.

Miles’s strength lies in his ability to cut through legal jargon and help businesses fully understand what they are signing, empowering them to make commercially sensible decisions whilst minimising risk.

Introduction to Howes Percival 

Howes Percival is a leading UK law firm known for its specialist commercial, regulatory, and corporate legal services. With offices across England and a formidable reputation for supporting highly regulated industries, the firm works extensively with pharmaceutical wholesalers and healthcare businesses.

They advise clients on commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, litigation, and governance. Their commercial team specialises in helping organisations to structure agreements to manage risk, strengthen supply chain resilience and protect business interests in complex operational environments.

Why Contracts Matter 

Miles began his session by reminding delegates that contracts play a crucial role in defining operational responsibilities, managing, and mitigating risks, demonstrating regulatory compliance, and improving service delivery and supplier performance. A strong contract ensures clarity, accountability, and alignment. A week contract can lead to disputes, disruptions, and regulatory exposure.

Top Tips for Effective Contract Writing

Drawing on real-case examples from regulated industries, Miles shared practical advice for creating contracts that work in day-to-day business settings:

•          Be realistic: Commit only what the organisation can genuinely deliver or monitor
•          Do not overcomplicate: Plain language reduces ambiguity, cost, and conflict
•          Include auditing rights: These are essential for GDP compliance and supplier oversight
•         Define responsibilities clearly: Every party must understand their obligations
•         Avoid ‘copy and paste’ pitfalls: Templates must be tailored, generic text creates compliance risk
•          Keep it simple: Plain English contracts are easier to manage and enforce
•          Plan for the end from the beginning: Consider termination, renewal, handover and exit obligations
•          Understand what you are signing: A contract is legally binding, so assumptions are dangerous

Miles encouraged delegates, once they return to work after the conference, to review their existing agreements through a compliance and practicality lens, ensuring they reflect current operations, regulatory developments, and business capabilities.

Takeaway Message

Miles’s session reinforced that contracts are strategic assets, not administrative tasks. When thoughtfully designed and clearly understood, they support quality, protect patient safety, and help organisations operate with confidence.

Registering for the 2026 Conference

The UK GDP Association C.I.C (Community Interest Company) is delighted to announce that our third Annual Conference will be held on Tuesday 16^th June 2026 and Wednesday 17^th June 2026, in Northampton.

As with previous years, we have some amazing high-profile speakers, subject matter experts and multiple workshops scheduled each day to make this an industry leading interactive experience for delegates. The conference will cover a broad range of relevant GDP topics over the two days to ensure that there is something for everyone!

Conference Pricing

There will be discounted tickets available for UK GDP Association members, members can save £100 when attending both conference days. However, our commitment to low-cost, high-value educational content means that conference tickets will still be the best value whether you chose to join as members or not. Membership is only £29 + VAT per individual, per year and will offer reduced costs on training and conference tickets. If you buy tickets for both conference days, there is an even greater discount.

Costs for non-members is just £224.50 per day, a fraction of the cost of other industry events!

In addition, on the evening of Tuesday 16^th June, we will be hosting an evening event of dinner, networking, and even some of Dave’s infamous karaoke, for just £49.99 per person. This is a fundraising dinner for the MVA Society, with a speaker session on this rare disease the following morning.
Please see here for more information on the conference and to book your conference and evening dinner tickets.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you all at the conference!