# Close, cancel or renew a contract

Cancel a contract with its reason, close one whose work is done, follow the ones that expire, and renew a contract for a new term.

A contract ends in one of three ways: it is cancelled before its term, closed when the work is done, or it expires at its end date.

## Before you start {#before-you-start}

- You need the **User: Own Documents** level or higher on **Contracts**.
- Cancelling needs at least one reason in **Contracts/Configuration/Cancel Reasons**; the module ships none, so the firm adds its own.

## Cancel a contract {#cancel}

1. Open the contract and click **Actions** › **Cancel**.
2. Choose the **Cancel Reason**, add a note if useful, and click **Cancel Contract**.

![Cancelling asks for the reason, from the list in Configuration.](https://jaah.app/web/image/8283-a9842a82/law-contract-cancel-contract_cancel_reason-en.png)

The contract becomes **Cancelled**, with the reason and the note in its chatter.

![The contract is Cancelled, with its reason in the chatter.](https://jaah.app/web/image/8285-1b714ad4/law-contract-cancel-contract_cancelled-en.png)

## Close a contract {#close}

When the work under a **Valid** or **Expired** contract is done, **Actions** › **Close** makes it **Closed**.

## Expiry and reminders {#expiry}

Every day, a valid contract whose **End Date** has passed becomes **Expired**. When **Auto Contract Reminder** is on in the contract settings, the firm is reminded **Default Reminder Days** before the end, and the **Reminder Activity Assignee** receives a to-do.

## Renew a contract {#renew}

- For a new term, open **Actions** › **Duplicate**: the copy starts in **Drafting** with its own sequence and no signatures. Set its new dates and take it to **Valid**.
- To change a contract before it is valid again, **Actions** › **Set to Draft** reopens it.

---

- Source: https://jaah.app/docs/law-contract/close-cancel-or-renew-a-contract
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Version: Contracts 19.0.1.0.26
- Verified: 2026-10-14