Can you be stuck in a contract forever?

By Kirsty Simmonds

What happens if you sign a contract with no end date – are you tied in to that contract forever? A recent Court of Appeal decision suggests not.

What did the court decide?

The court looked at a trade mark licence that said it would continue “indefinitely” unless ended under a specific clause. That clause gave the owner clear rights to end the contract, but did not give the same rights to the other party.

The court said there are two key questions. First, did the parties intend the agreement to last forever, or just for an open-ended period? Second, if it is open-ended, can it be brought to an end?

In this case, “indefinitely” did not mean “forever.” The court decided it would not make commercial sense for either party to be tied in permanently. As a result, both sides could end the contract by giving reasonable notice—even though only one party had express rights written into the agreement.

Why does this matter?

Courts do not usually add rights into a contract where terms already exist. However, this decision shows that where an agreement has no fixed end date, the courts may still allow either party to exit on reasonable notice—especially to avoid unfairness.

Key takeaway: Even if a contract says it lasts “indefinitely,” you may still be able to bring it to an end.

What should you do?

In light of this ruling, now would be a good time to review any contracts that do not have a clear end date, such as: licences, supply or distribution agreements.

If you want certainty, ensure both parties’ rights to end the contract—and the notice required—are clearly set out.

If you are unsure about your position, we can review your agreements and advise on your options to exit or renegotiate – get in touch here

Case: Zaha Hadid Ltd v Zaha Hadid Foundation (2026).