Engagement Agreement Template for Singapore

An Engagement Agreement spells out the working relationship between a service provider and their client in Singapore. It's the formal contract that defines what services will be delivered, how much they'll cost, and when they'll be completed - commonly used by lawyers, consultants, and other professionals.

The agreement protects both parties by clearly setting out payment terms, confidentiality rules, and each side's responsibilities. Under Singapore contract law, these agreements become legally binding once signed and help prevent misunderstandings about scope, deliverables, and expectations. They're especially important for regulated industries where proper documentation of professional relationships is required.

Use an Engagement Agreement before starting any professional service relationship in Singapore, especially for consulting, legal, or advisory work. This agreement becomes essential when dealing with high-value projects, complex deliverables, or services that span multiple phases or months.

The timing is crucial - put this agreement in place during initial discussions but before any substantial work begins. It's particularly important for regulated industries like financial services, healthcare, and legal practices where clear documentation of service terms is mandatory. Getting it signed early prevents scope creep, payment disputes, and misaligned expectations that could lead to costly disagreements later.

• Contractor Engagement Letter: Used for independent contractors and freelancers, focusing on project-based work and maintaining clear independent status
• Financial Engagement Letter: Specifically designed for financial advisory services, with detailed fee structures and compliance requirements under MAS regulations
• Service Engagement Agreement: More comprehensive agreement for ongoing professional services, including detailed scope, milestones, and service level expectations

• Professional Service Providers: Lawyers, consultants, financial advisors, and other professionals who use Engagement Agreements to outline their services and terms
• Corporate Clients: Companies seeking professional services, often represented by their management team or legal department in reviewing and signing these agreements
• Legal Counsel: In-house or external lawyers who draft, review, and customize these agreements to protect their client's interests
• Compliance Officers: Ensure the agreements meet regulatory requirements, especially in regulated industries like finance and healthcare
• Project Managers: Often responsible for implementing and monitoring compliance with the agreement's terms and deliverables

• Party Details: Gather full legal names, addresses, and registration numbers of all parties involved in the engagement
• Scope Definition: Document specific services, deliverables, timelines, and any exclusions from the scope
• Fee Structure: Outline payment terms, rates, billing frequency, and any additional costs or expenses
• Duration Planning: Define the engagement period, key milestones, and termination conditions
• Compliance Check: Review industry-specific regulations and requirements that must be included
• Platform Generation: Use our platform to generate a customized agreement that includes all essential elements while ensuring legal compliance in Singapore

• Parties' Information: Complete legal names, registration numbers, and registered addresses of all involved parties
• Service Description: Detailed scope of work, deliverables, and performance standards
• Payment Terms: Fee structure, payment schedule, and conditions for additional charges
• Duration & Termination: Contract period, renewal terms, and conditions for early termination
• Confidentiality: Clear provisions for handling sensitive information and trade secrets
• Governing Law: Explicit statement that Singapore law governs the agreement
• Data Protection: Compliance with Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) requirements
• Dispute Resolution: Agreed method for handling disagreements, including jurisdiction choice

An Engagement Agreement differs significantly from an Advisory Agreement in several key aspects, though both involve professional services. The main distinction lies in their scope and purpose within Singapore's legal framework.

• Scope of Services: Engagement Agreements typically cover specific projects or deliverables with defined start and end dates, while Advisory Agreements focus on ongoing consultation and guidance without specific deliverables
• Payment Structure: Engagement Agreements usually feature project-based or milestone-based payments, whereas Advisory Agreements often involve retainer fees or regular monthly payments
• Term and Termination: Engagement Agreements end when the defined project completes, while Advisory Agreements continue indefinitely until terminated by either party
• Liability and Obligations: Engagement Agreements include specific performance metrics and deliverable standards, while Advisory Agreements focus more on best-effort obligations and general guidance responsibilities