# Non-solicitation clause

Source: https://contracko.com/glossary/non-solicitation-clause

# Non-solicitation clause

A provision barring a party from approaching the other's staff or clients for a set period.

## Definition

A non-solicitation clause prevents a party (or a departing employee) from approaching the other party's clients, suppliers, or personnel for a defined period and area. Unlike a full non-compete, it does not bar competing as such, only the targeted soliciting of protected relationships. To be enforceable, it must be reasonable in scope and duration; in a commercial setting it is assessed against competition-law limits.

## Example

> Under the non-solicitation clause the consultant may not approach the client's key staff for twelve months after the engagement.

## Why this is a business risk

A non-solicitation clause that is too broad in scope or duration risks being struck down as unreasonably restrictive, leaving you with no protection at all. One that is too narrow may fail to cover the relationships that matter most. For employment relationships, Dutch courts apply strict rules: an overly wide non-solicitation clause against an employee may need to be partially set aside even if other parts are valid.

## How to manage it

- Define the protected relationships specifically: named accounts, direct reports, or a defined category of clients rather than "all clients".
- Keep the duration reasonable: twelve to twenty-four months is typical in commercial agreements; longer periods face higher scrutiny.
- Distinguish between active solicitation and passive acceptance: most clauses prohibit the former but allow responding to an approach made by the protected party.
- In employment contracts, a non-solicitation clause restricting an employee requires special attention under Dutch employment law and may need compensation.

### How Contracko helps

Contracko's AI analysis extracts non-solicitation obligations and their duration and scope from supplier and employment contracts, flagging them in the obligations summary. This makes it straightforward to check whether a non-solicitation restriction is still active when a staff or client movement arises.

## Legal references

- [Mw art. 6 Dutch Competition Act: prohibition of restrictive agreements Dutch law](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0008691)

Unless marked otherwise, references are to Dutch law (Burgerlijk Wetboek, the Dutch Civil Code); EU instruments such as the GDPR apply across the EU. This is general information, not legal advice. Other jurisdictions treat these concepts differently. Verify the current text and your situation with a qualified lawyer.

## Relevant for

[Consulting](https://contracko.com/industries/consulting)[Staffing & Recruitment](https://contracko.com/industries/staffing-recruitment)[Marketing & Creative Agencies](https://contracko.com/industries/agencies)

## Related clauses

- [Non-Solicitation Clause](https://contracko.com/clause-library/non-solicitation)
- [Non-Compete Clause](https://contracko.com/clause-library/non-compete)
- [Confidentiality Clause](https://contracko.com/clause-library/confidentiality)

## Related terms

- [Non-compete](https://contracko.com/glossary/non-compete)
- [Supplier non-compete clause](https://contracko.com/glossary/supplier-non-compete-clause)
- [Confidential information](https://contracko.com/glossary/confidential-information)
- [Good faith](https://contracko.com/glossary/good-faith)

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## Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this term.

- **Q:** What is the difference between a non-solicitation clause and a non-compete clause?
  **A:** A non-solicitation clause prohibits actively approaching specific protected persons (clients, staff). A non-compete clause bars working in a competing activity entirely. Non-solicitation is narrower and therefore more likely to be enforceable.

- **Q:** Can a non-solicitation clause apply after the contract ends?
  **A:** Yes, that is its primary purpose. Non-solicitation clauses typically run for a defined period after termination and must survive the end of the contract as an express post-termination obligation.

- **Q:** How is a non-solicitation clause enforced?
  **A:** Typically by seeking an injunction in interlocutory proceedings (kort geding) to stop the prohibited conduct, combined with a damages claim or enforcement of a contractual penalty clause. Speed matters because the damage from client or staff poaching accumulates quickly.

- **Q:** Does a non-solicitation clause in a B2B contract need to be in writing?
  **A:** For commercial contracts, no formal writing requirement applies, but written terms are strongly advisable to prove the scope and duration agreed. For employment contracts under Dutch law, certain restrictive covenants do require a written agreement signed by the employee.

- **Q:** What counts as "solicitation" under a typical clause?
  **A:** Typically any active approach: calls, emails, meetings, or LinkedIn messages directed at a protected person with a view to recruiting or winning their business. Responding to an unsolicited approach by the protected person is usually not prohibited, though the clause should confirm this.

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