Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Release Agreement
I need a release agreement to formally terminate a contract with a freelance consultant, ensuring mutual release of claims and confidentiality obligations. The agreement should include a clause for the return of company property and a non-disparagement clause, with a 14-day consideration period for the consultant to review and sign.
What is a Release Agreement?
A Release Agreement is a legal contract that formally ends obligations between parties while protecting them from future claims. In Dutch business practice, these agreements often accompany settlements, project completions, or employment terminations, offering both sides a clean break and legal certainty.
Common in mergers, property deals, and workplace matters, a Release Agreement specifies which rights are being given up and what compensation is offered in return. It must follow Dutch Civil Code requirements for valid contracts and typically includes specific language about releasing claims under both civil and labor laws. Once signed, it prevents parties from pursuing further legal action over the covered issues.
When should you use a Release Agreement?
Release Agreements prove essential when ending business relationships or resolving disputes in the Netherlands. They're particularly valuable during employee departures, after completing major projects, or when settling legal claims鈥攕ituations where you need to prevent future complications or misunderstandings.
Consider using a Release Agreement when selling business assets, concluding partnership arrangements, or finalizing contractor relationships. The agreement becomes crucial if there's any risk of future claims or when significant financial interests are involved. Dutch companies often use them during reorganizations or when terminating employment contracts to ensure all parties have clarity about their rights and obligations going forward.
What are the different types of Release Agreement?
- General Release Of Liability Form: Broad coverage for all potential claims, commonly used in business transactions
- Waiver Of Liability Form: Focused on specific activities or events, popular in sports and recreation sectors
- Release And Indemnification Form: Combines release with protection against third-party claims
- Waiver And Indemnity Agreement: More comprehensive version including both risk acceptance and compensation provisions
Who should typically use a Release Agreement?
- Companies and Business Owners: Primary users of Release Agreements when concluding business deals, settling disputes, or ending commercial relationships
- Legal Professionals: Draft and review agreements to ensure compliance with Dutch law and protect client interests
- Human Resources Managers: Handle employment-related releases during staff departures or restructuring
- Event Organizers: Use liability releases for participants in recreational or sporting activities
- Property Developers: Implement releases during construction projects or property transactions to manage risk
- Insurance Companies: Review and often require releases as part of claim settlements or policy requirements
How do you write a Release Agreement?
- Party Details: Gather full legal names, addresses, and signing authority of all involved parties
- Scope Definition: List specific claims, rights, or obligations being released, including relevant dates and activities
- Consideration: Document any payment or value exchange that makes the agreement binding under Dutch law
- Risk Assessment: Identify potential future claims or disputes that need coverage
- Legal Requirements: Check Dutch Civil Code requirements for valid contracts and releases
- Clear Language: Our platform helps draft precise terms in plain Dutch or English that all parties can understand
- Documentation: Collect supporting materials like contracts, incident reports, or related agreements
What should be included in a Release Agreement?
- Party Identification: Full legal names, addresses, and roles of all involved parties under Dutch law
- Release Terms: Clear description of rights being waived and obligations being discharged
- Consideration Statement: Explicit mention of payment or value exchange making the agreement binding
- Effective Date: Specific timing for when the release takes effect
- Scope Definition: Precise boundaries of what claims are covered and excluded
- Governing Law: Reference to Dutch Civil Code and applicable jurisdiction
- Severability Clause: Protection ensuring partial invalidity doesn't void entire agreement
- Signature Block: Space for dated signatures with witness provisions if needed
What's the difference between a Release Agreement and an Affidavit and Indemnity Agreement?
A Release Agreement differs significantly from an Affidavit and Indemnity Agreement in both purpose and scope under Dutch law. While both deal with liability, they serve distinct functions in legal practice.
- Primary Purpose: Release Agreements terminate existing obligations and prevent future claims, while Affidavit and Indemnity Agreements create new obligations to protect against potential losses
- Timing: Release Agreements typically conclude relationships or settle disputes, whereas Affidavit and Indemnity Agreements set up ongoing protection
- Legal Effect: Release Agreements extinguish rights to sue, while Affidavit and Indemnity Agreements establish obligations to compensate for future claims
- Documentation: Release Agreements require proof of existing claims, while Affidavit and Indemnity Agreements need sworn statements about facts or circumstances
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 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 拢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.