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An Engagement Agreement lays out the working relationship between a service provider and their client in New Zealand. It spells out key details like fees, timelines, and what services will be delivered, protecting both parties by making expectations crystal clear from the start.

Common in professional services like law firms, accountants, and consultants, these agreements follow NZ contract law requirements and often include confidentiality clauses, dispute resolution processes, and liability limits. Many regulated industries require formal engagement terms under their professional codes of conduct, making these agreements essential for compliance and good business practice.

Use an Engagement Agreement any time you're providing or receiving professional services in New Zealand, especially for significant projects or ongoing work relationships. This includes hiring consultants, accountants, lawyers, architects, or other specialists where clear expectations matter.

The agreement becomes particularly important when dealing with complex deliverables, substantial fees, or sensitive information. For regulated professions like law and accounting, professional bodies often require formal engagement terms before work begins. It's also vital when multiple stakeholders are involved, when services span several months, or when the work involves significant financial or legal risks.

• Client Engagement Letter: Basic template for general client relationships, focusing on service scope and fees
• Professional Services Engagement Letter: Detailed version for regulated professions like lawyers and accountants
• Project Engagement Letter: Specifically for fixed-term projects with defined deliverables and milestones
• Consulting Engagement Letter: Tailored for consulting work with flexible scope and advisory services
• Independent Contractor Engagement Letter: Focuses on contractor relationships while maintaining independence

• Professional Service Providers: Lawyers, accountants, consultants, and other specialists who offer expertise and need to define their service terms
• Corporate Clients: Businesses seeking professional services, often represented by management or in-house legal teams
• Individual Clients: People engaging professional services for personal matters like legal advice or financial planning
• Regulatory Bodies: Organizations like the Law Society of New Zealand that set requirements for engagement documentation
• Practice Managers: Staff responsible for ensuring engagement agreements meet professional standards and firm policies

• Scope Details: List specific services, deliverables, and expected outcomes with clear timelines
• Client Information: Gather full legal names, contact details, and entity structure of all parties involved
• Payment Terms: Document fee structures, payment schedules, and any additional costs or expenses
• Project Timeline: Define start dates, milestones, and completion deadlines
• Risk Management: Identify potential issues, liability limits, and confidentiality requirements
• Compliance Check: Review professional body requirements and relevant NZ regulations
• Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally-sound agreement that includes all required elements

• Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and roles of all involved parties
• Service Scope: Clear description of services, deliverables, and any exclusions
• Fee Structure: Detailed breakdown of costs, payment terms, and billing procedures
• Duration Terms: Start date, end date or project milestones, and termination conditions
• Confidentiality: Provisions for handling sensitive information and intellectual property
• Liability Limits: Clear statements on professional indemnity and insurance requirements
• Dispute Resolution: Process for handling disagreements under NZ law
• Signatures: Designated spaces for dated signatures from authorized representatives

An Engagement Agreement differs significantly from an Advisory Agreement in several key ways. While both involve professional services, they serve distinct purposes and come with different obligations under New Zealand law.

• Scope and Duration: Engagement Agreements typically cover specific projects or defined service periods, while Advisory Agreements often establish ongoing relationships with broader, less defined deliverables
• Service Definition: Engagement Agreements detail specific tasks and outcomes, whereas Advisory Agreements focus on providing guidance and recommendations
• Payment Structure: Engagement Agreements usually specify project-based or hourly fees, while Advisory Agreements often involve retainer fees or success-based compensation
• Liability Framework: Engagement Agreements include detailed professional indemnity provisions, while Advisory Agreements typically have more limited liability structures due to their consultative nature