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SSP/FST Resources

Scottish Society of Playwrights and Federation of Scottish Theatre Commissioning Contract

The SSP has worked with the Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) for five decades to negotiate a contract that works to serve the evolving rights and needs of Scotland’s playwrights and producers while benefiting the wider Scottish theatre community.

SSP/FST Standard Play Contract Rates April 2026

The following minimum rates are effective from 1 April 2026.

Up to 15 minutes

£2,152.50

Up to 30 minutes

£4,305.00

Up to 45 minutes

£5,381.25

Up to 60 minutes

£6,457.50

Up to 90 minutes

£8,610.00

Over 90 minutes

£10,762.50

SSP/FST Standard Play Contract Rates April 2026

At the SSP AGM in June 2024, members voted that annual uplifts should track inflation to avoid stagnation. This process has been agreed with the FST.

Any proposed uplift will be announced on this page following the June AGM at which rates are set. They will be effective from the following April, giving commissioners 8 months’ notice.

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Treatment Rates
Day Rates

Instalment Illustrations

SSP/FST Commissioning Contracts follow a 40/40/20 payment instalment process. Details of instalments for the above rates and when you expect to receive payment can be found in Instalment Illustrations.

Knowledge

Important information at your fingertips

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SSP/FST Commissioning Contract and Rates

Developed alongside the Federation of Scottish Theatre, the SSP/FST New Standard Play Contract is accepted as the industry standard in Scotland. Effective from 1 April 2026.

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SSP/FST New Standard Play Contract FAQs

Find answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding negotiation and implementation of the SSP/FST New Standard Play Contract.

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SSP/FST Best Practice
Co-created Work

We developed this set of best practice guidelines for projects involving a degree of co-authorship beyond what is routinely accommodated by the standard contract.

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SSP/FST Best Practice Commissioning of a Play

Whilst most of the following is common practice for producing theatres and writers in Scotland, these guidelines offer an important check list to promote good practice.

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