Change of Control Clause

Ce que c'est

A change of control clause is triggered when ownership or control of a contracting party changes, for example by a takeover, merger, or sale of a majority stake. It gives the other party defined rights, such as consent, notification, renegotiation, or a right to terminate.

Pourquoi c'est important

You chose your counterparty for who they are; a takeover may put a competitor or a riskier owner behind the contract. A change of control clause protects against being bound to an unwanted new party, especially where assignment alone would not be triggered.

Comment l'appliquer

• Define "control" precisely: voting rights, board control, or a percentage threshold.
• Choose the consequence: notice, prior consent, renegotiation, or termination.
• Carve out intra-group reorganisations that do not change ultimate control.
• Coordinate the clause with the assignment and confidentiality provisions.

Exemple de formulation

If a person acquires control of a party (directly or indirectly holding more than fifty percent of its voting rights), the other party may terminate this agreement on thirty (30) days' written notice.

Conseils de négociation

• • The target should narrow "control" and exclude internal restructurings to avoid an unintended trigger.
• • The protected party should secure termination, not merely a duty to notify.

Pièges courants

• • Defining control too loosely, so an ordinary group reorganisation triggers the clause.
• • Relying on the assignment clause alone, which a share sale may not trigger.

Références juridiques

• BW 6:248 Reasonableness and fairness Droit néerlandais

Sauf mention contraire, les références renvoient au droit néerlandais (Burgerlijk Wetboek, le Code civil néerlandais) ; les instruments de l'UE tels que le RGPD s'appliquent dans toute l'UE. Il s'agit d'informations générales, pas de conseils juridiques. D'autres juridictions traitent ces concepts différemment. Vérifiez le texte en vigueur et votre situation avec un avocat qualifié.