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
Engagement Letter
I need an engagement letter for a consultancy service that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, and payment terms for a project lasting 6 months. The letter should include confidentiality clauses, a termination clause with a 30-day notice period, and specify that all work will comply with Malaysian laws and regulations.
What is an Engagement Letter?
An Engagement Letter spells out the professional relationship between a service provider and their client in Malaysia, much like a formal handshake that sets clear expectations. Law firms, accounting practices, and consultancies commonly use these letters to document the scope of work, fees, timelines, and deliverables they'll provide to their clients.
Beyond being a good business practice, these letters help comply with Malaysian professional standards, especially for regulated services like audit and legal work. They protect both parties by preventing misunderstandings, outlining responsibilities, and creating a clear record of what was agreed upon. The Malaysian Institute of Accountants and Bar Council specifically recommend using engagement letters to establish professional boundaries and terms.
When should you use an Engagement Letter?
Use an Engagement Letter at the start of any professional service relationship in Malaysia, especially when hiring lawyers, accountants, consultants, or auditors. The ideal time is right after initial discussions but before work begins - this ensures both parties are clear about expectations, scope, and fees from day one.
Malaysian regulators expect to see these letters in place for regulated services like statutory audits, legal representation, and financial advisory work. Having one becomes particularly important for complex projects, high-value services, or when multiple parties are involved. It provides crucial protection if disagreements arise later about service scope, payment terms, or deliverables.
What are the different types of Engagement Letter?
- Business Engagement Letter: Standard commercial version used for general business services and consulting arrangements
- Client Engagement Letter: Detailed version typically used by professional service firms like lawyers and accountants
- Contract Engagement Letter: Project-specific version focusing on deliverables and milestones
- Client Engagement Agreement: More formal, comprehensive version for complex or long-term relationships
- Disengagement Letter: Specialized version for formally ending professional relationships
Who should typically use an Engagement Letter?
- Professional Service Providers: Law firms, accounting practices, consultants, and auditors who draft and issue Engagement Letters to define their service terms
- Corporate Clients: Companies and organizations receiving professional services, who review and accept the terms
- Legal Departments: In-house counsel who review and negotiate engagement terms for their organizations
- Regulatory Bodies: Malaysian Institute of Accountants and Bar Council who set standards for professional engagements
- Company Directors: Who sign these letters on behalf of their organizations and ensure compliance with agreed terms
How do you write an Engagement Letter?
- Service Details: Document exact scope, deliverables, timelines, and key milestones of the professional engagement
- Client Information: Gather complete company details, registration numbers, and authorized representatives' names
- Fee Structure: Outline payment terms, rates, billing frequency, and any additional costs clearly
- Legal Requirements: Check Malaysian regulatory guidelines for your industry sector
- Documentation: Collect relevant supporting documents like company registration certificates or board resolutions
- Review Process: Our platform generates customized, legally-sound Engagement Letters, ensuring all essential elements are included
What should be included in an Engagement Letter?
- Scope of Services: Clear description of professional services, deliverables, and expected outcomes
- Fee Structure: Detailed breakdown of fees, payment terms, and billing schedule
- Timeline: Key dates, milestones, and project duration
- Confidentiality: Terms for handling sensitive information under Malaysian data protection laws
- Termination Clause: Conditions and process for ending the engagement
- Liability Limits: Professional indemnity and limitation of liability provisions
- Governing Law: Specification of Malaysian law and jurisdiction
- Authentication: Signature blocks for all parties, company stamps where required
What's the difference between an Engagement Letter and an Engagement Agreement?
An Engagement Letter often gets confused with an Engagement Agreement in Malaysian professional services. While both documents establish professional relationships, they serve different purposes and carry different legal weights.
- Formality Level: Engagement Letters are typically more informal and focused on outlining service terms, while Engagement Agreements are more comprehensive legal contracts with detailed obligations
- Scope and Detail: Letters usually cover basic terms and expectations, while Agreements include extensive clauses on liability, dispute resolution, and intellectual property
- Legal Enforceability: Though both are binding, Agreements offer stronger legal protection and are preferred for complex, high-value, or long-term professional relationships
- Common Usage: Letters are standard for routine professional services like accounting or consulting, while Agreements are used for strategic partnerships or major projects
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.