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
Deferral Agreement
I need a deferral agreement to postpone the payment of a loan for six months due to temporary financial hardship, with no additional interest or penalties during the deferral period, and a clear schedule for resuming payments.
What is a Deferral Agreement?
A Deferral Agreement lets parties postpone certain legal obligations or payments to a future date. In Swiss business practice, these agreements often help companies manage their cash flow by restructuring payment schedules while maintaining their contractual commitments.
Swiss law recognizes Deferral Agreements as binding modifications to existing contracts, commonly used in debt restructuring, employment benefits, or tax arrangements. They must specify clear terms about the new timeline, any interest charges, and consequences for default. Under Swiss Code of Obligations, these agreements need written form when they modify contracts that originally required written documentation.
When should you use a Deferral Agreement?
Consider using a Deferral Agreement when your business needs breathing room on payment obligations while maintaining good relationships with creditors or contractors. This tool proves especially valuable during temporary cash flow challenges, company restructuring, or when adapting to unexpected market conditions in Switzerland.
The agreement works particularly well for managing pension fund contributions, supplier payments, or tax obligations under Swiss law. It offers a structured way to postpone payments without defaulting on contracts. Companies often use it during seasonal business fluctuations or when awaiting major incoming payments, helping prevent more severe measures like debt enforcement proceedings.
What are the different types of Deferral Agreement?
- Payment Deferral: Most common type used for postponing financial obligations, often including specific interest rates and revised payment schedules
- Tax Deferral: Specifically structured for Swiss tax authorities, allowing temporary postponement of tax payments with strict compliance requirements
- Employment Benefits Deferral: Used for delaying compensation or pension fund contributions, following Swiss labor law requirements
- Contractual Performance Deferral: Delays delivery or service obligations while maintaining the original contract's validity
- Debt Restructuring Deferral: Complex agreements involving multiple creditors, often part of broader financial reorganization plans
Who should typically use a Deferral Agreement?
- Business Owners: Initiate Deferral Agreements when facing cash flow challenges or restructuring needs
- Financial Directors: Negotiate terms and assess financial impact of payment deferrals on company operations
- Legal Counsel: Draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with Swiss law and protect client interests
- Creditors: Review and approve payment postponements while securing their financial claims
- Tax Authorities: Evaluate and process tax payment deferrals according to cantonal regulations
- Pension Fund Administrators: Handle contribution deferrals within Swiss pension law requirements
How do you write a Deferral Agreement?
- Original Agreement Details: Gather the existing contract or obligation documentation that needs deferral
- Financial Assessment: Calculate exact amounts, proposed new payment dates, and any interest implications
- Party Information: Collect full legal names, addresses, and signing authority details of all involved parties
- Timeline Planning: Define clear milestone dates for deferred payments or obligations
- Default Provisions: Outline consequences and remedies if new terms aren't met
- Compliance Check: Verify alignment with Swiss Code of Obligations and relevant cantonal laws
- Document Generation: Use our platform to create a legally sound agreement that includes all required elements
What should be included in a Deferral Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and authorized representatives of all involved parties
- Original Obligation: Clear reference to the contract or debt being deferred, including original dates and amounts
- New Timeline: Specific dates for deferred payments or obligations, including any installment schedules
- Interest Terms: Applicable interest rates and calculation methods during the deferral period
- Default Provisions: Consequences and remedies if new payment terms aren't met
- Governing Law: Explicit reference to Swiss law and relevant cantonal jurisdiction
- Signatures: Dated signatures of all parties, with proper authorization documentation if needed
- Amendment Terms: Conditions under which the agreement can be modified
What's the difference between a Deferral Agreement and a Credit Agreement?
A Deferral Agreement differs significantly from a Credit Agreement in both purpose and structure, though both deal with financial obligations. While a Deferral Agreement modifies existing payment terms, a Credit Agreement establishes new lending arrangements and obligations.
- Timing and Purpose: Deferral Agreements address existing obligations by postponing them, while Credit Agreements create new financial relationships and future obligations
- Legal Framework: Deferral Agreements modify existing contracts under Swiss contract modification laws, whereas Credit Agreements fall under Swiss banking and lending regulations
- Risk Assessment: Credit Agreements require extensive creditworthiness evaluation and collateral arrangements, while Deferral Agreements focus on restructuring existing commitments
- Documentation Requirements: Credit Agreements need comprehensive financial disclosures and security documentation, but Deferral Agreements primarily require proof of existing obligations and new payment terms
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.