Contract templates · Hiring & Employment
Restrictive covenants are only as good as their drafting. Courts across the US, UK and EU strike out clauses that go further than needed to protect a legitimate business interest.
A non-compete and non-solicitation agreement restricts someone, usually a senior employee or the seller of a business, from competing, approaching clients or hiring away staff for a defined period and area after the relationship ends. Enforceability depends on reasonableness and local law.
When you need one
- Senior hires with access to clients or strategy
- Sale of a business where the seller stays on
Key clauses in a Non-Compete & Non-Solicitation Agreement
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Restricted activities
Defines the competing work that is restricted, ideally tied to the person's actual role.
Restricted territory and duration
Limits the restriction to a geography and a time period that a court is likely to accept.
Non-solicitation of clients
Stops the person approaching clients they dealt with for a set time.
Non-solicitation of employees
Stops the person hiring away employees or contractors for a set time.
Reasonableness and severability
Asks a court to trim, not void, an over-broad restriction, and saves the rest of the agreement.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a one-size restriction for junior staff, which is rarely enforceable.
- Ignoring jurisdictions that ban or limit non-competes, such as California, or require payment during the restricted period, as in Germany.
- Relying on a non-compete where a confidentiality and non-solicit clause would protect the business better.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Non-Compete & Non-Solicitation Agreement template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Non-Compete & Non-Solicitation Agreement template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $19, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a non-compete last?
Courts tend to accept 6 to 12 months for employees; longer periods are more likely to hold in the sale of a business.
Is a non-solicit easier to enforce than a non-compete?
Usually yes, because it is narrower and protects specific relationships rather than the person's ability to work.
Can I use one with contractors?
You can, but courts scrutinise restrictions on independent contractors closely and they can also blur contractor status.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.