NBA Model General Terms and Conditions 2017 ©. Filed with the Registry of the District Court of Amsterdam on 19 June 2017 under number 39/2017. This is an English translation; in the event of any discrepancy, the Dutch text is binding.

Article 1. Definitions

In these general terms and conditions, the following capitalised terms have the meanings set out below:

  • Professional Regulations: the professional and ethical rules to which all accountants are subject by virtue of their registration in the accountants register of the NBA.
  • Documents: all information or data made available by the Client to the Contractor; all data produced or collected by the Contractor in the course of performing the Engagement / Agreement; and all other information of any relevance to the performance or completion of the Engagement. Such information may or may not be stored on (in)tangible data carriers and may or may not be held by third parties.
  • Employee: a natural person working for or affiliated with the Contractor, whether or not under an employment contract.
  • Engagement / Agreement: the contract for services under which the Contractor undertakes to the Client to perform certain Work.
  • Client: the natural person or legal entity that has instructed the Contractor to perform Work.
  • Contractor: the firm that has accepted the Engagement. All Engagements are accepted and performed exclusively by the firm, not by or on behalf of an individual Employee, even if the Client has expressly or tacitly granted the Engagement with a view to its performance by a particular Employee or Employees. Articles 7:404, 7:407(2) and 7:409 of the Dutch Civil Code are expressly excluded.
  • Work: all work and activities to be performed by the Contractor for the Client for which an Engagement has been given and which have been accepted by the Contractor, as well as all work and activities arising therefrom for the Contractor.

Article 2. Applicability

  1. These general terms and conditions apply to: all offers, quotations, Engagements, legal relationships and Agreements, however named, under which the Contractor undertakes / will undertake to perform Work for the Client, as well as to all Work arising therefrom for the Contractor.
  2. Deviations from and additions to the Engagement and/or these general terms and conditions are only valid if expressly agreed in writing, for example in a (written) Agreement or a (further) engagement letter.
  3. If any provision of these general terms and conditions deviates from a provision in the engagement letter, the provision in the engagement letter prevails to the extent of the conflict.
  4. These general terms and conditions also apply to any additional or follow-up engagements.
  5. The Contractor hereby expressly rejects the applicability of the Client's general terms and conditions.
  6. These general terms and conditions may also be invoked by those natural and legal persons who are directly or indirectly involved in any way, whether or not under an employment contract, in the provision of services to the Client by or on behalf of the Contractor.

Article 3. Client information

  1. The Client must make available to the Contractor, in good time and in the desired form and manner, all Documents that the Contractor considers necessary for the correct performance of the Engagement. The Contractor determines what is meant by timely, the desired form and the desired manner.
  2. The Client guarantees the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the Documents it provides, even if they originate from third parties, unless the nature of the Engagement dictates otherwise.
  3. The Client indemnifies the Contractor against damage resulting from incorrect or incomplete Documents.
  4. Additional costs and additional hours incurred by the Contractor, as well as any other damage suffered by the Contractor, as a result of the Client failing to provide, or failing to provide in good time or properly, the Documents necessary for the performance of the Work, are for the Client's account and risk.
  5. In the event of electronic transmission of information, including (but not limited to) tax returns, financial statements and reports, by the Contractor to third parties on behalf of (and at the instruction of) the Client, the Client is deemed to be the party signing and sending the information concerned.
  6. The Contractor is entitled to suspend the performance of the Engagement until the Client has fulfilled the obligations referred to in paragraph 1.
  7. At the Client's first written request, the Contractor will return the original Documents provided by the Client.

Article 4. Performance of the engagement

  1. The Contractor performs the Engagement to the best of its ability and in accordance with applicable laws and (Professional) Regulations.
  2. The Contractor determines the manner in which the Engagement is performed and by which Employee(s).
  3. The Contractor is entitled to have Work performed by a third party designated by the Contractor.

Article 5. (Professional) Regulations

  1. The Client cooperates fully with the obligations arising for the Contractor from applicable (Professional) Regulations.
  2. The Contractor takes appropriate measures to protect personal data and other confidential information originating from the Client. The Contractor will inform Employees and engaged third parties of the confidential nature of the information. The Contractor processes personal data in accordance with applicable (inter)national laws and (Professional) Regulations on the protection of personal data.
  3. The Client is aware that in some cases the Contractor may be required under (inter)national laws or (Professional) Regulations to disclose confidential information of the Client. To the extent necessary, the Client hereby consents to and cooperates with such disclosure, including (but not limited to) cases in which the Contractor:
    • a. must report unusual transactions, as defined in laws and (Professional) Regulations, that have come to its attention during the performance of its Work, whether executed or intended, to the authorities designated for that purpose by the government;
    • b. must report fraud in certain situations;
    • c. is required to investigate (the identity of) the Client or its customer.
  4. The Contractor excludes all liability for damage suffered by the Client as a result of the Contractor complying with the laws and (Professional) Regulations applicable to it.
  5. The parties will impose their obligations under this article on third parties they engage.

Article 6. Intellectual property

  1. Performance of the Engagement by the Contractor does not include the transfer of intellectual property rights held by the Contractor. All intellectual property rights arising during, or resulting from, the performance of the Engagement belong to the Contractor.
  2. The Client is expressly prohibited from reproducing, disclosing or exploiting products in which the Contractor holds intellectual property rights, or products in which intellectual property rights exist and for which the Contractor has acquired rights of use. These include, for example (but not exclusively): computer programs, system designs, working methods, advice, (model) contracts, reports, templates, macros and other intellectual products.
  3. The Client may not hand over the products referred to in paragraph 2 to third parties without the Contractor's prior written consent. This does not apply if the Client wishes to obtain an expert opinion on the performance of the Work by the Contractor. In that case, the Client will impose its obligations under this article on the third parties it engages.

Article 7. Force majeure

  1. If the parties are unable to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement, or unable to do so in time or properly, due to force majeure within the meaning of Article 6:75 of the Dutch Civil Code, those obligations are suspended until the parties are able to fulfil them in the agreed manner.
  2. If the situation referred to in paragraph 1 occurs, the parties are entitled to terminate the Agreement in whole or in part with immediate effect in writing, without any entitlement to compensation.
  3. If, at the onset of the force majeure situation, the Contractor has already partly fulfilled the agreed obligations, the Contractor is entitled to invoice the Work performed separately and on an interim basis, and the Client must pay that invoice as if it were a separate transaction.

Article 8. Fees and costs

  1. Work performed by the Contractor is charged to the Client on the basis of time spent and costs incurred, unless the parties expressly agree otherwise, for example payment of a fixed price. Payment of the fee is not dependent on the outcome of the Work unless otherwise agreed in writing. Travel time and accommodation costs for the Work are charged separately.
  2. In addition to the fee, expenses incurred by the Contractor and invoices from third parties engaged by the Contractor are charged to the Client.
  3. The Contractor is entitled to request an advance payment from the Client. Failure to pay the advance (in time) may be a reason for the Contractor to suspend the Work (temporarily).
  4. If fees or prices change after the Agreement has been concluded but before the Engagement has been fully performed, the Contractor is entitled to adjust the agreed rate, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
  5. Where required by law, VAT is charged separately on all amounts owed by the Client to the Contractor.

Article 9. Payment

  1. Payment by the Client of amounts owed to the Contractor must be made within 30 days of the invoice date, without the Client being entitled to any deduction, discount, suspension or set-off, unless otherwise agreed. The date of payment is the date on which the amount owed is credited to the Contractor's account.
  2. If the Client has not paid within the period referred to in paragraph 1, the Client is in default by operation of law and the Contractor is entitled to charge the statutory (commercial) interest from that moment.
  3. If the Client has not paid within the period referred to in paragraph 1, the Client must reimburse all judicial and extrajudicial (collection) costs actually incurred by the Contractor. Reimbursement of costs incurred is not limited to any order for costs determined by the court.
  4. In the case of a jointly given Engagement, the Clients are jointly and severally liable for payment of the invoice amount, the interest and the costs owed.
  5. If, in the Contractor's opinion, the Client's financial position or payment behaviour gives cause to do so, or if the Client fails to pay an advance or an invoice within the applicable payment term, the Contractor is entitled to require the Client to provide (additional) security without delay in a form to be determined by the Contractor. If the Client fails to provide the required security, the Contractor is entitled, without prejudice to its other rights, to suspend further performance of the Agreement immediately, and everything the Client owes the Contractor on any account becomes immediately due and payable.

Article 10. Deadlines

  1. If the Client and the Contractor have agreed a period/date within which the Engagement must be performed and the Client fails to: (a) make an advance payment, if agreed, or (b) make the necessary Documents available in good time, in full, and in the desired form and manner, the Client and the Contractor will consult on a new period/date within which the Engagement must be performed.
  2. Periods within which the Work must be completed are only to be regarded as strict deadlines if this has been expressly and explicitly agreed (in writing) between the Client and the Contractor.

Article 11. Liability and indemnities

  1. The Contractor is not liable for damage suffered by the Client as a result of the Client providing the Contractor with no, incorrect or incomplete Documents, or not providing them in good time. This includes the situation in which the Contractor is unable to file the annual accounts with the Chamber of Commerce within the statutory period as a result of an act or omission (on the part) of the Client.
  2. The Contractor is not liable for indirect damage, including: loss of profit, lost savings, damage due to business interruption and other consequential or indirect damage resulting from the Contractor's failure to perform, or failure to perform in time or properly.
  3. The Contractor's liability is limited to compensation for direct damage that is the direct result of a (related series of) attributable failure(s) in the performance of the Engagement. This liability for direct damage is limited to the amount paid out by the Contractor's liability insurer in the case concerned, plus any deductible to be borne by the Contractor under the insurance. Direct damage includes: reasonable costs incurred to determine the cause and extent of the damage; reasonable costs incurred to make the Contractor's performance conform to the Agreement; and reasonable costs incurred to prevent or limit the damage.
  4. If, for whatever reason, the liability insurer does not pay out as referred to in paragraph 3 of this article, the Contractor's liability is limited to the amount of the fee charged for the performance of the Engagement. If the Engagement is a continuing agreement with a term of more than one (1) year, that amount is set at one times the fee charged to the Client in the twelve months preceding the occurrence of the damage. In no event will the total compensation for damage under this paragraph exceed € 300,000 per attributable failure, unless the parties, in view of the scope of the Engagement or the risks associated with it, see reason to deviate from this maximum when entering into the Agreement.
  5. A related series of attributable failures counts as one (1) attributable failure.
  6. The limitations of liability in this article do not apply if and to the extent that there is intent or deliberate recklessness on the part of the Contractor or its executive management.
  7. The Client is obliged to take measures to limit damage. The Contractor is entitled to undo or limit the damage by repairing or improving the Work performed.
  8. The Client indemnifies the Contractor against third-party claims for damage caused by the Client providing the Contractor with no, incorrect or incomplete Documents.
  9. The Client indemnifies the Contractor against claims from third parties (including Employees of the Contractor and third parties engaged by the Contractor) who suffer damage in connection with the performance of the Engagement, where such damage results from an act or omission of the Client or from unsafe situations in its business or organisation.
  10. The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 9 of this article relate to both the contractual and non-contractual liability of the Contractor towards the Client.

Article 12. Termination

  1. The Client and the Contractor may terminate the Agreement at any time (with interim effect), immediately and without observing a notice period, by written notice to the other party. If the Agreement ends before the Engagement has been completed, the Client owes the fee in accordance with the hours reported by the Contractor for Work performed on behalf of the Client.
  2. If the Client terminates the Agreement (prematurely), the Contractor is entitled to compensation for the loss of capacity utilisation it has incurred and can substantiate, compensation for additional costs already incurred by the Contractor, and compensation for costs arising from any cancellation of engaged third parties (including any subcontracting costs).
  3. If the Contractor terminates the Agreement (prematurely), the Client is entitled to the Contractor's cooperation in transferring the Work to third parties, unless there is intent or deliberate recklessness on the part of the Client that forces the Contractor to terminate. A condition for the right to cooperation under this paragraph is that the Client has paid all outstanding advances and invoices.

Article 13. Right of suspension

  1. After a careful weighing of interests, the Contractor is entitled to suspend the fulfilment of all its obligations, including the release of Documents or other items to the Client or third parties, until all due and payable claims against the Client have been paid in full.
  2. Paragraph 1 does not apply to Documents of the Client that have not (yet) been processed by the Contractor.

Article 14. Limitation period

Unless otherwise provided in these general terms and conditions, rights of claim and other powers of the Client on any account against the Contractor in connection with the performance of Work by the Contractor lapse in any event one year after the moment the Client became aware, or could reasonably have become aware, of the existence of these rights and powers. This period does not affect the possibility of filing a complaint with the designated complaints body/bodies and/or the Dispute Committee (Raad voor Geschillen).

Article 15. Electronic communication and electronic filing of annual accounts

  1. During the performance of the Engagement, the Client and the Contractor may communicate with each other by electronic means and/or use electronic storage (such as cloud applications). Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the parties may assume that the sending of correctly addressed fax messages, emails (including emails sent via the internet) and voicemail messages, whether or not they contain confidential information or documents relating to the Engagement, is mutually accepted. The same applies to other means of communication used or accepted by the other party.
  2. The Client and the Contractor are not liable to each other for any damage that may arise for either or both of them as a result of the use of electronic means of communication, networks, applications, electronic storage or other systems, including but not limited to damage resulting from non-delivery or delayed delivery of electronic communication, omissions, distortion, interception or manipulation of electronic communication by third parties or by software/equipment used for sending, receiving or processing electronic communication, transmission of viruses, and the failure or malfunction of the telecommunications network or other means required for electronic communication, except to the extent that the damage results from intent or gross negligence. The foregoing also applies to the Contractor's use of such means in its contacts with third parties.
  3. In addition to the previous paragraph, the Contractor accepts no liability for any damage arising from or in connection with the electronic transmission of (electronic) annual accounts and their digital filing with the Chamber of Commerce.
  4. Both the Client and the Contractor will do or refrain from doing everything that may reasonably be expected of each of them to prevent the occurrence of the aforementioned risks.
  5. Data extracts from the sender's computer systems constitute conclusive evidence of (the content of) the electronic communication sent by the sender until the recipient has provided evidence to the contrary.
  6. The provisions of Article 11 apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 16. Other provisions

  1. If the Contractor performs Work at the Client's premises, the Client guarantees a suitable workplace that complies with statutory health and safety (ARBO) standards and other applicable regulations on working conditions. In that case, the Client must ensure that the Contractor is provided with office space and other facilities that the Contractor considers necessary or useful for performing the Agreement and that meet all applicable (statutory) requirements. With regard to (computer) facilities made available, the Client must ensure continuity, including through adequate backup, security and virus-control procedures. The Contractor will apply virus-control procedures when using the Client's facilities.
  2. The Client will not hire or approach Employees involved in the performance of the Work to enter the Client's employment, whether temporarily or permanently, directly or indirectly, or to perform work directly or indirectly for the Client, whether or not as an employee, during the term of the Agreement or any extension thereof and for 12 months thereafter.
  3. These general terms and conditions have been drawn up in both Dutch and English. In the event of any difference or conflict between the English and Dutch texts, the Dutch text is binding.
  4. Provisions of the Engagement which, expressly or by their nature, are intended to remain in force after the expiry or termination of the Engagement remain in force after expiry or termination, including Articles 6, 8, 9, 11, 16(2) and 17.

Article 17. Governing law and choice of forum

  1. The Agreement is governed by Dutch law.
  2. All disputes will be settled by the competent court in the district in which the Contractor has its registered office.
  3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article do not affect the Client's option to submit a dispute to the Dispute Committee (Raad voor Geschillen) and/or to file a complaint with the Contractor itself, the Accountancy Division of the Disciplinary Court (Accountantskamer) or the Complaints Committee.

Article 18. Severability

  1. If any provision of these general terms and conditions or of the underlying Engagement/Agreement is wholly or partly null and void and/or invalid and/or unenforceable, whether as a result of any statutory provision, court ruling or otherwise, this will have no effect whatsoever on the validity of all other provisions of these general terms and conditions or the underlying Engagement/Agreement.
  2. If any provision of the Engagement, or any part of the Engagement, cannot legally be invoked, the remainder of the Engagement remains in full force, on the understanding that the provision or part that cannot be invoked is deemed to have been amended so that it can be invoked, preserving as far as possible the intention of the parties with regard to the original provision or part.

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