Commercial contracts · B2B
B2B Master Services Agreement
A B2B services agreement should not merely repeat a commercial proposal; it should define exactly how work is ordered, delivered, accepted and paid for. For recurring engagements, the master agreement can remain stable while each project is described separately in an order, schedule or statement of work.
What a B2B master agreement resolves
The master agreement establishes the relationship’s standing rules: who can place orders, when a project starts, how requirements change and what happens if delivery is delayed or disputed. Schedules describe variable elements: deliverables, timetable, team, fees and acceptance criteria.
Separating rules from projects reduces negotiation time for future orders and avoids conflicting terms in emails, proposals and invoices.
Clauses requiring calibration
Content must match the service and actual working practices. A generic list cannot replace the connection between obligations, evidence and consequences of non-performance.
- Scope and deliverables: what is delivered, in which format and which activities are out of scope.
- Orders and change requests: who approves projects and how budgets or deadlines change.
- Acceptance: verifiable criteria, a period for comments and a remediation procedure.
- Price and payment: fees, deposits, VAT, expenses, invoicing, due dates and consequences of delay.
- Intellectual property: which rights transfer, when, and for which territory or duration.
- Confidentiality and data: team access, subcontractors, security and any GDPR roles.
- Liability and termination: negotiated limits, exclusions, remediation, termination and final handover.
Common risks in services agreements
Most disputes arise not from the absence of a contract but from wording that fails to describe the operational workflow. Complete services, professional standards or deemed acceptance can mean different things without measurable benchmarks.
Other vulnerabilities include premature assignment of all copyright, a liability cap unrelated to the risk, no procedure for additional requirements and use of subcontractors without confidentiality or security rules.
Information needed for drafting
Effective drafting starts with commercial documents and an honest description of how the team works in practice.
- The proposal or commercial offer currently used.
- Sample deliverables, timetable and internal validation criteria.
- Pricing, invoicing and reimbursable expense models.
- Tools used for communication, delivery and approval.
- Pre-existing assets, licences and intellectual property elements.
- The client’s confidentiality, security and subcontracting requirements.
How we work together
- 01Initial discussion
We clarify the business model, each party’s role, the intended outcome and non-negotiable points.
- 02Document review
We review existing information and documents, then establish the right structure for the master agreement and its schedules.
- 03Drafting and comments
You receive an editable draft, explanations of important clauses and a structured review round.
- 04Final version
We incorporate the negotiated terms, check schedules and prepare the document for signing and practical use.
Frequently asked questions
Is an online contract template sufficient?+
A template can be a starting point but rarely reflects ordering, acceptance, intellectual property and the service’s specific risks. Problems arise precisely in the gaps a generic template does not cover.
Must a new agreement be signed for every project?+
Not necessarily. The master agreement can govern the general relationship, with each project launched through a schedule, order or statement of work automatically incorporating its rules.
Can the service provider’s liability be limited?+
Parties can negotiate limits and exclusions within the law. However, the cap must reflect the loss’s nature, essential obligations and situations where limitation cannot or should not apply.
Need a B2B agreement tailored to how you work?
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