Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Barter Agreement
I need a barter agreement to facilitate the exchange of services between two parties, where one party provides digital marketing services and the other offers graphic design work. The agreement should specify the scope of services, duration of the exchange, and a clause for dispute resolution.
What is a Barter Agreement?
A Barter Agreement lets two parties exchange goods or services directly without using money. In the UAE, these contracts spell out exactly what each side will trade, helping businesses conserve cash while still getting what they need. Common examples include trading office space for marketing services, or IT support for inventory.
Under UAE commercial law, barter deals must clearly document the value of items exchanged and meet the same legal standards as traditional sales contracts. While straightforward in concept, these agreements need careful attention to detail around delivery timing, quality standards, and how to handle any disputes - especially since no cash changes hands.
When should you use a Barter Agreement?
Consider using a Barter Agreement when your UAE business has valuable goods or services but needs to preserve cash flow. This arrangement works especially well during economic downturns or when launching new ventures with limited capital. For example, a tech startup might trade custom software development for office space, or a marketing agency could exchange advertising services for equipment.
These agreements prove particularly valuable in Dubai's business hubs where companies often have complementary needs. Just ensure the contract details exact specifications, delivery timelines, and fair market values for both sides. UAE commercial law requires proper documentation of these exchanges, making a formal agreement essential for tax compliance and dispute prevention.
What are the different types of Barter Agreement?
- Direct Two-Party Exchange: Basic barter agreements where two UAE companies directly swap goods or services of equal value
- Multi-Party Chain Barter: Complex arrangements involving three or more parties trading in a connected series of exchanges
- Time-Banking Agreements: Services are exchanged based on time units rather than monetary value, popular among professional service providers
- Asset-Based Barter: Focuses on trading physical assets or equipment, common in construction and manufacturing sectors
- Service Exchange Contracts: Specifically structured for trading professional services, often used by UAE consultancies and agencies
Who should typically use a Barter Agreement?
- Business Owners: Primary decision-makers who initiate and approve barter deals, especially in UAE SMEs looking to maximize resources
- Corporate Legal Teams: Draft and review Barter Agreements to ensure compliance with UAE commercial laws and protect company interests
- Finance Directors: Evaluate the fair market value of goods or services being exchanged and handle tax implications
- Operations Managers: Oversee the practical execution of barter exchanges, including delivery schedules and quality control
- External Legal Counsel: Provide specialized advice on complex barter arrangements, particularly for cross-emirate transactions
How do you write a Barter Agreement?
- Identify Assets: List exact goods or services to be exchanged, including detailed specifications and market values in UAE currency
- Verify Parties: Gather full legal names, trade licenses, and authorized signatories for all participating businesses
- Set Timeline: Establish clear delivery schedules, milestones, and completion dates for each exchanged item
- Value Assessment: Document fair market prices to satisfy UAE tax requirements and ensure equivalent exchange value
- Quality Standards: Define acceptance criteria, inspection procedures, and any warranties for goods or services
- Dispute Resolution: Specify UAE jurisdiction and preferred method for handling disagreements
What should be included in a Barter Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, trade license numbers, and registered addresses of all participating entities
- Exchange Description: Detailed specification of goods or services being traded, including quantity, quality, and market value
- Delivery Terms: Specific timelines, locations, and conditions for exchanging the agreed items
- Warranties: Quality guarantees and representations about ownership rights or service capabilities
- Performance Metrics: Clear standards for measuring satisfactory completion of the exchange
- Dispute Resolution: UAE court jurisdiction and agreed process for handling disagreements
- Termination Clause: Conditions for ending the agreement and handling partial exchanges
What's the difference between a Barter Agreement and a Business Purchase Agreement?
A Barter Agreement differs significantly from a Business Purchase Agreement in several key ways, though both involve the exchange of business assets. The main distinction lies in how value is transferred between parties.
- Payment Method: Barter Agreements involve direct exchange of goods or services, while Business Purchase Agreements require monetary payment
- Valuation Process: Barter deals need market value assessment of both sides' offerings, whereas Business Purchase focuses on single-direction pricing
- Tax Implications: UAE tax authorities treat bartered goods as taxable transactions at fair market value, while business purchases follow standard VAT rules
- Timing Complexity: Barter often involves coordinating two-way delivery schedules, while business purchases typically follow simpler one-way transfer timing
- Risk Management: Barter requires additional quality assurance clauses for both parties' contributions, versus mainly buyer protections in purchase agreements
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.