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 Service Agreement
I need a Master Service Agreement that outlines the terms and conditions for a long-term partnership with a technology service provider, including detailed service level agreements, data protection clauses compliant with Swiss regulations, and provisions for regular performance reviews and adjustments. The agreement should also include clear termination conditions and a dispute resolution process.
What is a Master Service Agreement?
A Master Service Agreement sets the foundation for ongoing business relationships under Swiss law, establishing the core terms and conditions that will govern all future work between two parties. It's like creating a trusted playbook that both sides can rely on, covering everything from payment terms and liability limits to confidentiality and dispute resolution.
Swiss companies often use these agreements when they plan multiple projects or transactions with the same partner. Instead of negotiating fresh contracts each time, they can quickly create shorter work orders that reference back to their MSA - saving time while ensuring consistent legal protection under the Swiss Code of Obligations.
When should you use a Master Service Agreement?
Consider implementing a Master Service Agreement when your company plans regular, ongoing work with key business partners in Switzerland. This agreement becomes especially valuable for tech companies, consultancies, or service providers who handle multiple projects with the same client throughout the year.
A Master Service Agreement makes perfect sense when you need to move quickly on new opportunities while maintaining consistent legal protection. It streamlines operations by eliminating repeated contract negotiations, reduces legal costs, and ensures compliance with Swiss business law. Many Swiss companies use MSAs for recurring vendor relationships, IT services, and professional consulting arrangements.
What are the different types of Master Service Agreement?
- Classic Service MSA: The standard version used for ongoing professional services, featuring core terms like payment schedules, service levels, and liability caps under Swiss law
- IT/Software MSA: Tailored for technology services with specialized IP rights, data protection clauses, and GDPR compliance requirements
- Distribution MSA: Adapted for supplier relationships, including inventory management, delivery terms, and territory restrictions
- Project-Based MSA: Modified for complex, multi-phase projects with milestone-linked payments and detailed scope definitions
- Consulting MSA: Focused on professional advisory services with confidentiality provisions and knowledge transfer terms
Who should typically use a Master Service Agreement?
- Service Providers: Tech companies, consultants, and professional firms who initiate Master Service Agreements to establish long-term client relationships
- Corporate Legal Teams: In-house lawyers who draft, review, and maintain MSAs to protect their company's interests
- External Law Firms: Swiss attorneys who specialize in commercial contracts, often customizing MSAs for specific industries
- Procurement Officers: Business professionals who manage vendor relationships and ensure MSA compliance
- Executive Management: C-level decision-makers who authorize and sign MSAs, setting strategic partnership frameworks
How do you write a Master Service Agreement?
- Service Scope: Define exact services, deliverables, and performance metrics you'll provide under Swiss law
- Payment Terms: Outline rates, invoicing schedules, and accepted payment methods in Swiss Francs
- Company Details: Gather complete legal names, addresses, and registration numbers of all parties
- Timeline Planning: Set contract duration, renewal terms, and notice periods for changes
- Risk Assessment: Identify liability limits, insurance requirements, and confidentiality needs
- Compliance Check: Our platform ensures your MSA meets Swiss legal requirements and industry standards
What should be included in a Master Service Agreement?
- Party Information: Full legal names, addresses, and authorized representatives of both parties
- Services Description: Detailed scope of work, deliverables, and performance standards
- Payment Terms: Pricing, invoicing schedule, and payment methods in Swiss Francs
- Data Protection: GDPR compliance measures and Swiss data privacy requirements
- Liability Clauses: Limitation of liability and indemnification under Swiss law
- Termination Rights: Clear conditions for ending the agreement and notice periods
- Dispute Resolution: Swiss jurisdiction choice and arbitration procedures
- Force Majeure: Circumstances excusing performance under Swiss contract law
What's the difference between a Master Service Agreement and a Service Agreement?
While both serve business relationships, a Master Service Agreement differs significantly from a Service Agreement in several key ways under Swiss law. The main distinction lies in their scope and duration.
- Scope and Structure: MSAs establish broad framework terms for multiple future projects, while Service Agreements detail specific, one-time service arrangements
- Duration and Flexibility: MSAs are designed for long-term relationships with multiple work orders, whereas Service Agreements typically cover a single defined project period
- Administrative Efficiency: MSAs reduce paperwork by allowing quick work orders under pre-agreed terms, while each Service Agreement requires full negotiation
- Risk Management: MSAs provide consistent legal protection across multiple projects, while Service Agreements must individually address risk for each engagement
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.