Job hunt and "I look forward to receiving the contract"

[OkayThenIGuess]

AIBU for traffic but also for question at the bottom.

Still on mat leave but I am looking to change jobs. Received an offer over the phone which was followed up by an e-mail. My standard response is something like "Thank you very much, that is exciting news. I look forward to receiving the contract"

Essentially, I have always refused to accept a position (or give notice) until I have seen the contract in full. Plus, we're in Scotland, hence, verbal contracts are legally binding.

I get that the job market is shite but a) I am increasingly thinking HR doesn't seem used to people wanting to see the contract first, and b) I always feel like a dick saying it.

Anyone else do this? And can you give me a couple of example of polite ways in which you have asked for the contract prior to accepting an offer?

I always feel so awkward about it but I also know it is the right thing to do (not that long ago my husband didn't and lost all negotiating power...)

In relation to question a) from above:
YABU = I accept the offer and don't care about the contract
YANBU = I always get the contract before accepting an offer

I am doing just this right now. I simply say "I accept in principal subject to receiving and agreeing to the contract"
I spent 3 hours picking through a new contract last night my DH ( in a rather senior well paid position) couldn't understand my attention to detail stating he only checks the holiday entitlement and salary.

I need to know the job role, expected hours of work, benefits, salary, maternity package (not that we want more, but never say never, need to know where i stand) notice period, direct report, line manager, notice period etc etc etc

That is roughly what DH does, too, and it drives me crazy. Granted, this was the first time it was an issue (they demanded something impossible for anyone in any circumstance and HR didn't believe their own incompetence).

For me it is pensions - I am in my union's pension but not all employers contribute equally and there is usually some wiggle room for them. I would also have to pay back some maternity pay, which they said they would cover in the interview but no mention of it since.