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
Master Agreement
I need a master agreement for a long-term business partnership between two companies, outlining terms for collaboration on joint projects, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The agreement should include confidentiality clauses, a termination process with a 3-month notice period, and provisions for annual review and amendment.
What is a Master Agreement?
A Master Agreement sets the core terms that govern multiple future contracts between business partners in Belgium. It's like creating a reliable foundation that saves time and reduces risk when you need to make regular deals with the same party. Instead of negotiating everything from scratch each time, you can refer back to these pre-agreed terms.
Under Belgian contract law, these agreements streamline recurring transactions by establishing standard conditions for pricing, delivery, liability, and dispute resolution. Companies often use them for ongoing supplier relationships, service arrangements, or financial dealings. The Belgian Civil Code recognizes their binding nature, while allowing flexibility to adjust specific terms in individual transactions through shorter supplementary agreements.
When should you use a Master Agreement?
Consider implementing a Master Agreement when your business expects ongoing transactions with the same partner over time. This works especially well for Belgian companies handling regular supplier relationships, recurring service contracts, or frequent financial dealings where negotiating fresh terms for each transaction wastes time and creates unnecessary risk.
The agreement becomes particularly valuable during periods of market volatility or when dealing with complex regulatory requirements under Belgian law. For example, manufacturing companies use Master Agreements with key suppliers to lock in favorable terms, while financial institutions rely on them to streamline derivatives trading and ensure consistent compliance with Belgian financial regulations.
What are the different types of Master Agreement?
- Master Contract Agreement: The broadest form, establishing general terms for any business relationship under Belgian commercial law
- Consultant Services Master Agreement: Specialized for professional services, covering liability, intellectual property, and confidentiality
- Loan Master Agreement: Tailored for financial institutions, addressing interest rates, repayment terms, and Belgian banking regulations
- Mutual Service Agreement: Focuses on reciprocal obligations between parties providing services to each other
- Master Software As A Service Agreement: Designed for tech companies, covering data protection, service levels, and GDPR compliance
Who should typically use a Master Agreement?
- Corporate Legal Teams: Draft and review Master Agreements to protect company interests, often collaborating with external counsel on complex terms
- Business Executives: Negotiate key commercial terms and sign agreements as authorized representatives under Belgian company law
- Procurement Officers: Manage supplier relationships and ensure compliance with agreed terms throughout the contract lifecycle
- Finance Directors: Oversee financial commitments and payment terms, particularly in regulated sectors like banking
- Compliance Managers: Monitor adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies across multiple agreements
- External Legal Counsel: Provide specialized advice on Belgian law and help tailor agreements for specific industries or situations
How do you write a Master Agreement?
- Basic Information: Gather company details, VAT numbers, and registered addresses of all parties under Belgian law
- Business Terms: Define scope, duration, pricing structure, and payment terms that will apply to future transactions
- Legal Requirements: Check mandatory Belgian contract elements and industry-specific regulations affecting your agreement
- Risk Assessment: Identify key business risks and necessary protective clauses for your industry context
- Internal Approvals: Document required signatory authority levels and internal validation processes
- Documentation: Use our platform to generate a legally compliant Master Agreement template, customized to Belgian requirements
- Review Process: Set up internal checks to verify all terms align with company policies and operational needs
What should be included in a Master Agreement?
- Party Information: Full legal names, registered addresses, and VAT numbers of all contracting entities
- Contract Purpose: Clear statement of scope, objectives, and nature of future transactions
- Term and Termination: Duration, renewal conditions, and termination rights under Belgian law
- Financial Terms: Pricing mechanisms, payment schedules, and currency specifications
- Liability Clauses: Limitations, indemnifications, and force majeure provisions
- Data Protection: GDPR compliance measures and data handling procedures
- Dispute Resolution: Choice of Belgian law, jurisdiction, and arbitration procedures
- Language Requirements: Official version in Dutch, French, or German per Belgian linguistic laws
- Signature Block: Authorized representative details and execution requirements
What's the difference between a Master Agreement and a Master Service Agreement?
A Master Agreement differs significantly from a Master Service Agreement in several key ways, though they're often confused in Belgian business practice. The main distinction lies in their scope and application.
- Scope of Coverage: Master Agreements establish broad framework terms for multiple types of future transactions, while Master Service Agreements focus specifically on ongoing service delivery arrangements
- Contract Structure: Master Agreements typically require supplementary agreements for specific transactions, whereas Master Service Agreements usually operate as standalone documents with detailed service specifications
- Term Flexibility: Master Agreements offer more flexibility to modify terms for individual transactions, while Master Service Agreements maintain consistent service terms throughout the relationship
- Legal Application: Under Belgian law, Master Agreements serve as umbrella contracts for various business dealings, while Master Service Agreements specifically govern service provider obligations and performance standards
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.