All Countries
Legal Services
General Retainer Agreement

General Retainer Agreement Template for Switzerland

Create a bespoke document in minutes,  or upload and review your own.

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5

Let's create your General Retainer Agreement

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get your first 2 documents free

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Key Requirements PROMPT example:

General Retainer Agreement

"I need a General Retainer Agreement under Swiss law for my IT consulting firm to provide ongoing technical advisory services to a multinational corporation, with specific provisions for data protection and service level commitments starting from March 2025."

Celebrated by
Collaborations with
Investors
Document background
The General Retainer Agreement serves as a foundational document for establishing and maintaining ongoing professional relationships under Swiss law. It is particularly useful when a client requires regular access to professional services without executing separate agreements for each engagement. This contract type is structured to comply with Swiss Code of Obligations requirements for service contracts while incorporating specific provisions for retainer arrangements. The document typically includes detailed terms for service scope, payment structures, professional obligations, and quality standards. It's designed to accommodate various professional services sectors while ensuring compliance with Swiss regulatory requirements, including data protection and professional conduct rules where applicable. The agreement's flexibility makes it suitable for both regulated professions and general professional services, while its Swiss law governance provides legal certainty and clear dispute resolution mechanisms.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identification of the service provider and the client, including full legal names, addresses, and registration details if applicable

2. Background: Context of the retainer relationship and brief description of the parties' intent to enter into a professional service arrangement

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement, including 'Services', 'Fees', 'Retainer Amount', and other relevant terminology

4. Scope of Services: Detailed description of the professional services to be provided under the retainer arrangement

5. Term and Termination: Duration of the agreement, renewal provisions, and circumstances under which either party may terminate the relationship

6. Retainer Fee and Payment Terms: Structure of retainer fees, payment schedule, invoicing process, and handling of expenses

7. Obligations of the Service Provider: Professional duties, standard of care, reporting requirements, and service delivery commitments

8. Client Obligations: Client's responsibilities, including provision of information, cooperation, and timely payment

9. Confidentiality: Provisions for handling confidential information and professional secrets

10. Intellectual Property: Ownership and usage rights of any work product or materials created during the engagement

11. Liability and Indemnification: Limitations of liability and indemnification obligations in accordance with Swiss law

12. General Provisions: Standard clauses including governing law, jurisdiction, entire agreement, and amendment procedures

Optional Sections

1. Professional Insurance: Details of professional liability insurance coverage, recommended when providing regulated professional services

2. Data Protection: Specific provisions for handling personal data, required when processing significant personal information

3. Non-Competition: Restrictions on competitive activities, useful for specialized professional services

4. Force Majeure: Provisions for handling unforeseen circumstances, particularly relevant for long-term retainers

5. Assignment and Subcontracting: Rules for transferring rights or delegating services, important for larger service providers

6. Conflict of Interest: Procedures for identifying and handling potential conflicts, essential for legal or consulting services

7. Service Levels: Specific performance metrics and standards, useful for technical or ongoing operational services

8. Personnel: Requirements regarding key personnel and substitutions, important for personality-dependent services

Suggested Schedules

1. Schedule of Services: Detailed breakdown of specific services covered under the retainer

2. Fee Schedule: Comprehensive fee structure, including hourly rates, retainer calculations, and additional charges

3. Key Personnel: List of primary professionals assigned to the client with their qualifications and roles

4. Service Level Requirements: Specific performance metrics and response times if applicable

5. Data Processing Terms: Detailed procedures for handling personal data in compliance with Swiss data protection laws

6. Reporting Template: Standard format for periodic service reports and updates

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Linkedin in social icon imageX social icon image
alex.den.21@genieai.co
Relevant legal definitions
Agreement
Services
Retainer Fee
Additional Fees
Client
Service Provider
Commencement Date
Term
Business Day
Confidential Information
Deliverables
Intellectual Property Rights
Key Personnel
Professional Standards
Service Levels
Force Majeure Event
Applicable Law
Client Materials
Work Product
Professional Rules
Conflict of Interest
Emergency Services
Regular Business Hours
Response Time
Service Location
Authorized Representatives
Documentation
Good Industry Practice
Personal Data
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Quality Standards
Renewal Period
Scope of Work
Standard Rates
Third Party Materials
Relevant Industries

Legal Services

Professional Services

Healthcare

Management Consulting

Financial Services

Information Technology

Business Advisory

Engineering Services

Accounting and Tax

Architecture and Design

Relevant Teams

Legal

Compliance

Procurement

Finance

Business Development

Human Resources

Operations

Risk Management

Professional Services

Client Relations

Practice Management

Executive Leadership

Contract Administration

Corporate Affairs

Business Operations

Relevant Roles

Legal Counsel

General Counsel

Compliance Officer

Contract Manager

Procurement Manager

Chief Financial Officer

Business Development Manager

Human Resources Director

Operations Manager

Risk Manager

Professional Services Manager

Client Relationship Manager

Practice Manager

Managing Partner

Chief Executive Officer

Industries
Swiss Code of Obligations (OR): Primary source of Swiss contract law, particularly Articles 394-406 governing service contracts (Auftrag). These articles define the basic obligations, duties of care, liability, and termination provisions.
Swiss Civil Code (ZGB): Provides fundamental principles of Swiss private law, including good faith requirements and personality rights that may affect the professional relationship.
Swiss Federal Act on the Freedom of Movement for Lawyers (BGFA): If the retainer involves legal services, this act governs professional conduct and obligations of lawyers in Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP/DSG): Regulates the handling of personal data, which is crucial for professional services relationships and confidentiality obligations.
Swiss Civil Procedure Code (ZPO): Relevant for dispute resolution provisions and enforcement of contractual rights in Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Act on Unfair Competition (UWG): May be relevant for non-compete clauses and protection of business secrets in the retainer relationship.
Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Consent Order Fee

A Swiss legal document establishing agreed court fees between parties, subject to federal and cantonal regulations.

find out more

Service Fee Contract

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for professional service provision and associated fee arrangements.

find out more

Finders Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for intermediary services in identifying and introducing business opportunities, including compensation and compliance requirements.

find out more

Cost And Fee Contract

A Swiss law-governed agreement defining professional service delivery terms, fee structures, and cost recovery mechanisms between service providers and clients.

find out more

Contingency Fee Agreement

A Swiss legal services agreement establishing a mixed fee arrangement with both basic and success fee components, compliant with Swiss federal regulations.

find out more

Flat Fee Contract

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing fixed-price service arrangements with defined deliverables and payment terms.

find out more

Commission Fee Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing commission-based compensation terms between a principal and agent, detailing payment structures and mutual obligations.

find out more

Agreement For Services And Fees

Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for professional services delivery and associated fee arrangements.

find out more

Success Fee Contract

Swiss-law governed agreement establishing terms for success-based compensation between service providers and clients, including success criteria and payment terms.

find out more

Property Finders Fee Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms and fees for property finding services, including scope of work and payment conditions.

find out more

Cost Fixed Fee Contract

Swiss law-governed fixed-fee contract defining scope, deliverables, and payment terms between service provider and client.

find out more

Commercial Referral Fee Agreement

Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for business referrals and associated fee arrangements between commercial parties.

find out more

General Retainer Agreement

A Swiss-law governed agreement establishing ongoing professional services relationship between service provider and client, structured under the Swiss Code of Obligations.

find out more

Referral Contract Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for business referrals between parties, including compensation and compliance requirements.

find out more

Placement Fee Agreement

Swiss law-governed agreement setting out terms and fees for recruitment agency services, compliant with Federal Employment Services Act.

find out more

Guaranty Fee Agreement

A Swiss law agreement establishing the terms and fee structure for providing a guarantee service, detailing payment obligations and parties' rights under Swiss law.

find out more

Lead Referral Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for business lead referrals, including compensation and compliance requirements.

find out more

Guarantee Fee Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing the fee arrangement between a guarantor and beneficiary for the provision of a guarantee.

find out more

Split Fee Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for fee-sharing arrangements between parties, including payment terms and regulatory compliance requirements.

find out more

Consulting Referral Fee Agreement

Swiss law agreement governing the terms for paid client referrals to consulting firms, including fee structures and compliance requirements.

find out more

Consulting Fee Agreement

Swiss law-governed agreement defining terms, conditions, and fee structures for consulting services between consultants and clients.

find out more

Success Fee Agreement

Swiss law-governed agreement establishing performance-based compensation terms where fees are contingent upon achieving specific objectives.

find out more

Success Fee Consulting Agreement

Swiss law-governed consulting agreement structuring performance-based compensation tied to specific success metrics and outcomes.

find out more

Introduction Fee Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for payment of fees in exchange for business introductions, including service scope and success criteria.

find out more

Fee Share Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for sharing fees, revenues, or commissions between parties, including calculation methods and distribution mechanisms.

find out more

Royalty Fee Agreement

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for intellectual property licensing and royalty payments, including calculation methods and payment obligations.

find out more

Fee Agreement Contract

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms and conditions for professional services provision, including fee structures and payment terms.

find out more

Commission Agreement Between Brokers

A Swiss law-governed agreement establishing commission-sharing arrangements and obligations between brokers operating in Switzerland.

find out more

Sales Agent Commission Agreement

Swiss law-governed agreement establishing terms for sales agent compensation and duties under the Swiss Code of Obligations.

find out more

Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal

By providing your email address you are consenting to our Privacy Notice.
Thank you for downloading our whitepaper. This should arrive in your inbox shortly. In the meantime, why not jump straight to a section that interests you here: https://www.genieai.co/our-research
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Genie’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; Genie’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 Trust Centre for more details and real-time security updates.

Read our Privacy Policy.