Contract Review Before Hiring a Lawyer: What an Administrative Agent Can Help With
Hello, this is Administrative Agent Jean.
I first began working with contracts out of personal interest.
But more people than expected have contacted me for contract review, and I am grateful for that.
It also made me realize something:
Many people feel uneasy in front of a contract.
Going straight to a lawyer feels expensive.
Signing without review feels uncomfortable.
Putting the contract into AI gives some answers, but you still do not know whether the answers are reliable.
So today, I would like to explain the contract review and drafting services provided by Ethos Administrative Office.
But first, one thing must be clear.
The scope of what an administrative agent can and cannot do is defined by law.
This article is meant to explain that boundary transparently so clients can use the service without confusion.
Key Summary
| Category | How an Administrative Agent Can Help | |---|---| | Clause organization | Explain what each clause actually says | | Alternative wording | Draft revised clauses for negotiation | | Contract comparison | Compare current contract with standard forms or other versions | | Special clauses | Draft special clauses for leases, service agreements, premium payments, etc. | | Administrative document review | Review registry, building register, land-use plan, and related documents | | Permit connection | Review business permit or report issues and assist with applications | | Condition confirmation | Record property condition at move-in and move-out | | Limits | Litigation representation, legal-effect determination, and dispute strategy are attorney work |
“Can’t I Just Ask AI?”
Yes, AI can summarize contract clauses.
It can say, “This clause may be unfavorable.”
That can be useful.
But the real question usually comes next:
I understand that the clause is unfavorable. So what should I do now?
This is where general AI answers often stop.
AI can provide general explanations.
But it does not take responsibility for your industry, your counterparty, your bargaining position, your permit or licensing issues, or the administrative procedures that may follow after signing.
And if AI gives incorrect information, no one is responsible.
In contract matters, a wrong judgment can lead to serious loss.
My work does not stop at saying, “This clause is unfavorable.”
I identify problematic clauses, draft alternative wording suited to your situation, and prepare language that can be used in negotiation.
Where needed, I also help prepare administrative documents that may be required after the contract.
AI gives information.
An administrative agent prepares documents and connects them to procedures.
Legal Basis for Administrative Agent Contract Work
Article 2(1) Item 2 of the Administrative Agent Act includes the drafting of documents concerning rights, obligations, or proof of facts within the scope of administrative agent work.
The Enforcement Decree further specifies this as documents concerning transactions, including contracts, agreements, undertakings, and claims between individuals or legal entities.
Based on this legal framework, an administrative agent may prepare and organize documents such as:
- Contracts
- Agreements
- Undertakings
- Settlement agreements
- Claims
- Fact confirmation statements
- Administrative submission documents
- Factual summaries related to contracts
However, this does not mean administrative agents handle all legal disputes.
Litigation, injunctions, damages claims, legal-effect determinations, and predictions of litigation outcome are attorney work.
Ethos Administrative Office provides contract review and drafting services while respecting that boundary.
Service 1. Clause Summary + Alternative Wording
This is the basic service.
I review each clause and explain what it means.
Then I go one step further.
If a clause is unfavorable or unclear, I draft alternative wording that can be used in negotiation.
For example, suppose a commercial lease contains the following clause.
Original clause:
If the tenant delays performance of a monetary obligation, the tenant shall pay delay damages at an annual rate of 18% on the delayed amount.
Summary and explanation:
This clause requires the tenant to pay 18% annual delay damages if rent, maintenance fees, or other monetary obligations are delayed. A contractual delay damages clause is not automatically invalid, but it may be a negotiation point when compared with statutory interest rates under litigation-related laws and commercial law.
Alternative wording:
If the tenant delays performance of a monetary obligation, the tenant shall pay delay damages at an annual rate of 12% on the delayed amount. However, this shall not apply where the delay is caused by the landlord’s fault or failure to provide necessary settlement materials.
The key is not just explanation.
The goal is to prepare language that can be used to say, “Please revise the clause this way.”
Service 2. Contract Comparison
When there are multiple versions of a contract, or when you want to know how the other party’s contract differs from a standard form, I prepare a clause-by-clause comparison table.
Examples include:
- First contract vs. renewal contract
- Other party’s contract vs. Fair Trade Commission standard contract
- Landlord version vs. tenant revision
- Company A contract vs. Company B contract
- Existing contract vs. amendment agreement
Many clients do not know that standard contracts exist.
Where a standard contract published by agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport or the Fair Trade Commission is available, I can compare it with the contract you received.
Service 3. Drafting Special Clauses
The other party often refuses to revise the main body of the contract.
But special clauses may still be negotiable.
One special clause can make a large difference later in deposit return, restoration, maintenance fees, premium payments, or business permit issues.
Examples include:
- The scope of restoration shall follow the photo record attached as Appendix O to this contract.
- The landlord shall provide the tenant with the maintenance fee calculation standard and the last three months of maintenance fee records at the time of signing.
- The deposit shall be returned within 30 days from completion of delivery of the premises.
- If the competent administrative agency confirms that the tenant cannot obtain the required business report or permit at the premises, this contract may be rescinded without penalty.
- Premium payment shall proceed after confirmation that business reporting is possible.
- Major facility repairs caused by age-related deterioration shall be borne by the landlord.
Even when the main contract cannot be changed, special clauses can reduce risk.
Service 4. Registry, Building Register, and Administrative Document Review
Reviewing only the contract may not be enough.
You also need to check whether the subject property itself has issues.
In commercial lease contracts, building use and permit possibility can be more important than the contract language.
Documents that may be checked include:
- Real estate registry
- Building register
- Land-use plan confirmation
- Business registration status
- Materials related to business report or permit possibility
- Illegal building status
- Building use classification
Key review points include:
- Whether the owner and landlord match
- Whether mortgages, provisional seizure, or seizure exist
- Whether building use matches the client’s business type
- Whether the building is marked as illegal
- Whether business reporting or registration is possible at the location
- Whether the contract purpose matches the building status
Many people can obtain a registry or building register, but do not know what to read.
I help organize the key points in plain language.
Service 5. Connection to Permit and Business Report Procedures
If you sign a commercial lease, the next step is often a business report or permit.
Article 2(1) Item 5 of the Administrative Agent Act includes acting for applications, claims, and reports to administrative agencies for permits, licenses, approvals, and similar matters.
At the contract review stage, the following can be checked together:
- Whether cafe operation is possible at the location
- Whether a general restaurant report is possible
- Whether the business should be classified as general restaurant or rest restaurant
- Whether a beauty business report is possible
- Whether private academy registration is possible
- Whether foreign business owners need additional documents
- Whether building use matches the business type
Examples by business type:
| Business Type | Administrative Procedure To Check | |---|---| | Cafe or restaurant | Food Sanitation Act business report | | Beauty salon | Public Health Control Act business report | | Private academy | Academy establishment and operation registration | | Foreign entrepreneur | Business registration, visa status, and business report connection | | Other stores | Business-specific report, registration, or permit |
One advantage of administrative agent service is that contract review can be connected to the actual start of business.
Service 6. Property Condition Confirmation Statement
Did you take photos when moving in?
Have you ever had a dispute over restoration when moving out?
One of the most common lease disputes is restoration.
If there is no record showing “it was already like this when I moved in,” the scope of restoration becomes unclear.
A property condition confirmation statement can help.
It may record:
- Wall, floor, and ceiling condition
- Signs of leakage
- Electrical, water, and gas facility condition
- Window, door frame, and lock condition
- Existing defects
- Facility list
- Move-in photos and videos
- Move-out restoration condition
Preparing both move-in and move-out condition records can help prevent deposit disputes.
Service Table by Contract Stage
| Stage | Service | Content | |---|---|---| | Before signing | Counterparty document review | Business registration status and basic document review guidance | | Before signing | Property document review | Registry, building register, land-use plan confirmation | | Signing stage | New contract drafting | Draft contract based on client conditions | | Signing stage | Contract revision | Draft revisions for unfavorable or unclear clauses | | Signing stage | Special clauses | Restoration, deposit, maintenance fee, business report clauses | | Signing stage | Premium payment agreement | Premium amount, payment method, and return conditions | | Signing stage | Timeline | Renewal, termination, notice deadlines, automatic extension | | Signing stage | Notarization guidance | Procedure guidance and document preparation support; notarization itself is by a notary | | Signing stage | Fixed-date stamp guidance | Commercial lease fixed-date stamp document support | | During contract | Amendment agreement | Rent change, use change, term change | | During contract | Content-certified mail | Demand for performance or notice before dispute escalation | | During contract | Settlement table | Maintenance fee, utilities, and additional cost calculation | | During contract | Administrative documents | Information disclosure request, unfair terms review petition, etc. | | End of contract | Deposit settlement statement | Deduction items and return request basis | | End of contract | Restoration confirmation | Move-out condition record and confirmation document |
What an Administrative Agent Cannot Do
Explaining what an administrative agent can do is important.
But explaining what cannot be done is just as important.
The Administrative Agent Act defines the scope of work and also states that work restricted by other laws cannot be performed.
Article 22 of the Administrative Agent Act prohibits administrative agents from intervening beyond their scope in another person’s litigation, rights dispute, or civil petition process.
Article 109 of the Attorney-at-Law Act also restricts non-attorneys from handling legal consultation, legal document drafting, or other legal affairs regarding legal cases for compensation.
Therefore, the following services are not provided.
1. Definitive Legal Effect Determination
The following are attorney matters:
- This clause is invalid
- This contract can be rescinded
- This clause violates the Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions
- The other party will definitely lose
- This damages claim will be recognized
An administrative agent can organize clause content, structure, risk factors, and relevant procedures.
But definitive legal-effect determinations and dispute outcome predictions are attorney work.
2. Litigation Strategy
The following advice is not provided:
- You will win if you argue this
- File a counterclaim
- Apply for an injunction
- Draft the complaint this way
- File a criminal complaint
Litigation, injunctions, mediation, damages claims, and legal dispute strategy require attorney consultation.
3. Matters Already in Litigation or Legal Dispute
If the following procedures are already in progress, the case may not be accepted:
- Lawsuit
- Injunction
- Mediation
- Payment order
- Damages claim
- Criminal complaint or accusation
- Administrative objection already developed into a legal dispute
In such cases, attorney consultation will be recommended.
An administrative agent’s role is to organize contracts and facts before disputes escalate.
Service Process
Step 1. Preliminary Check
First, I check the current situation.
- Whether the contract is unsigned
- Whether it has already been signed
- Whether a dispute has started
- Whether litigation or mediation is pending
- What the contract purpose is
- Whether administrative submission is needed
If a legal dispute is already in progress, the matter may fall outside administrative agent work, and attorney consultation will be recommended.
Step 2. Clause-by-Clause Review
Each clause is reviewed and organized.
The review may cover:
- What each clause provides
- How rights and obligations are allocated
- Whether wording is unclear
- Whether a clause may work unfavorably
- Whether there is a connection to administrative procedures
- Whether revision or special clauses may be needed
Where appropriate, relevant statutes or standard contract forms may be introduced.
Step 3. Alternative Wording and Special Clause Drafting
The service does not end with explanation.
Negotiation-ready wording is drafted based on the client’s request and situation.
The output may include:
- Original clause
- Potential issue
- Direction for revision
- Alternative wording
- Suggested negotiation explanation
The wording is prepared so it can be shared with the other party.
Step 4. Delivery by Email
The final materials are delivered by email.
If needed, phone consultation may also be provided.
All deliverables include a notice substantially similar to the following:
This material is prepared for the purpose of organizing contract clauses and factual circumstances within the scope of the Administrative Agent Act. It does not constitute a definitive legal-effect determination or litigation advice. If legal dispute response is required, please consult an attorney.
Fee Guide
Basic review starts from KRW 33,000 for one contract.
The fee may vary depending on:
- Length of the contract
- Number of contracts
- Whether comparison with a standard contract is needed
- Whether alternative clauses are needed
- Whether special clauses must be designed
- Whether registry, building register, or other documents must be checked
- Whether permit possibility must be reviewed
- Whether foreign-language contract or translation review is included
The exact fee is provided after checking the contract and requested scope.
Who Usually Requests This Service?
This service may be useful if you:
- Want to check unfavorable clauses before signing
- Want to compare the other party’s contract with a standard form
- Found an unfavorable clause but do not know how to request revision
- Need to draft your own contract
- Find commercial lease, service, franchise, or premium payment contracts difficult to read
- Are a foreigner and do not fully understand Korean special clauses
- Need to prepare business reports after signing a commercial lease
- Want to prevent restoration disputes at move-in or move-out
- Need documents for administrative submission
When Attorney Consultation Is Recommended
Attorney consultation should come first if:
- A legal dispute has already begun
- Litigation, injunction, mediation, or payment order is pending
- You received a complaint or legal notice from the other party
- You are preparing a damages claim
- You need a legal determination on contract termination
- The validity or invalidity of a clause is the core issue
- Criminal complaint or accusation is needed
- You need litigation strategy or prediction of outcome
In such cases, recommending attorney consultation from the beginning is safer for the client.
The Purpose of Administrative Agent Contract Review Is Dispute Prevention
Once a contract is signed, rights and obligations are generally determined by its contents.
Simply understanding the contract before signing can prevent unnecessary disputes.
Contract review is not about preparing to fight.
It is about avoiding future fights.
The goal is to:
- Clarify vague clauses
- Convert unfavorable clauses into negotiable wording
- Check administrative procedure issues in advance
- Add necessary special clauses
- Reduce disputes that may arise after signing
This is the direction of contract review at Ethos Administrative Office.
What To Prepare Before Consultation
For faster review, please prepare:
- Contract PDF or photos
- Enlarged photo of special clauses
- Emails or messages exchanged with the other party
- Purpose of the contract
- Contract amount
- Contract period
- Whether it is before signing
- Signing date if already signed
- Clauses you are most worried about
- Desired revision direction
- Address and business type for commercial leases
- Planned business details if permits or reports are needed
A contract should not be reviewed by wording alone.
The actual transaction structure must be reviewed together.
FAQ
Q. Can an administrative agent review contracts?
Yes, within the permitted scope.
Under the Administrative Agent Act, drafting documents concerning rights, obligations, or proof of facts and transaction documents such as contracts, agreements, undertakings, and claims may fall within administrative agent work.
However, legal-effect determinations, litigation strategy, and legal dispute representation are attorney work.
Q. How is this different from AI review?
AI provides general explanations.
An administrative agent organizes the document based on the client’s actual situation, contract purpose, administrative procedure, permit possibility, and alternative wording.
Q. Can you review a contract that was already signed?
Yes.
However, if a legal dispute is already pending, the case may not be accepted and attorney consultation may be recommended.
Post-signing review focuses on clause organization, factual organization, and administrative document preparation.
Q. Can I use the review result to negotiate with the other party?
Yes.
Revision requests and alternative wording can be prepared based on the review.
However, dispute representation or legal negotiation on behalf of the client is not provided.
Q. Can you review a commercial lease and handle business reporting together?
Yes.
For commercial leases, building use, illegal building status, and business report possibility can be reviewed together.
Where appropriate, business report or registration procedures can also be connected.
Closing
Knowing that a contract clause is unfavorable is different from knowing how to revise it.
The purpose of contract review is not to increase anxiety.
It is to identify what matters, what can be changed, what an administrative agent can help with, and where attorney consultation is needed.
Ethos Administrative Office organizes contract contents clearly within the permitted scope of administrative agent work.
And if a legal determination is required, I will say clearly:
This part should be reviewed by an attorney.
Before signing, do not ignore the clause that feels uncomfortable.
Review before signing is usually the cheapest, fastest, and safest option.
Consultation
Do you have a contract that needs review?
Please send the contract photo or PDF with your inquiry.