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Master services agreement template

Master services agreement (MSA): A master services agreement (MSA) sets the general legal terms for a long-term services relationship, so each new project only needs a short statement of work.

Last reviewed 6 November 2026 · 7 clauses · General guidance, not legal advice

Upload yours for a review and e-signature, or save it as a team template.

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When to use a master services agreement (MSA)

  • Repeat projects with the same agency or vendor
  • Enterprise procurement of professional services
  • Frameworks with several business units ordering work

Master services agreement template: clause-by-clause outline

Sample starting wording for each clause. Replace the text in [brackets] with your details.

  1. Structure

    Services are ordered through Statements of Work (SOWs). Each SOW incorporates this Agreement.

  2. Order of precedence

    If an SOW conflicts with this Agreement, this Agreement prevails unless the SOW expressly overrides a named clause.

  3. Change control

    Changes to an SOW require a written change request signed by both parties.

  4. Acceptance

    Deliverables are accepted if the Client does not reject them with reasons within [10] working days.

  5. IP

    Deliverables belong to the Client on payment. The Provider keeps its pre-existing tools and know-how and licenses them as needed.

  6. Data protection

    Where the Provider processes personal data for the Client, the parties’ data processing agreement applies.

  7. Liability and insurance

    Liability is capped at [fees paid in the prior 12 months]. The Provider will maintain [professional indemnity] insurance.

What to check before you sign

  • Which document wins if the MSA and SOW conflict?
  • Is there a workable acceptance process?
  • Is a data processing agreement attached where personal data is involved?

How to send a master services agreement (MSA) for e-signature

  1. Draft or upload it. Use the outline above with your own wording, upload an existing document, or save it as your organisation’s template.
  2. Check it against your playbook. Points outside your positions are flagged, and approval rules route it to Legal when needed.
  3. Send it by email. Signers get a plain-language review and a secure link, sign on any device in the order you set, and can suggest changes as tracked changes.
  4. Keep the signed PDF. Everyone receives it with a certificate of completion, and key dates go to Upcoming with reminders.

Master services agreement template: frequently asked questions

Why use an MSA?

It saves renegotiating legal terms for every project. Commercial details go in short SOWs.

Does an MSA commit the client to spend anything?

Usually not. Spend is committed in each SOW unless the MSA includes a minimum commitment.

Is an electronically signed master services agreement (MSA) legally binding?

In most countries, yes. E-signatures are recognised for commercial contracts under laws such as the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS (EU), the Electronic Communications Act (UK) and the Information Technology Act (India). econtracts.ai adds a certificate of completion with each signer’s identity check and a fingerprint of the signed content.

Can I get a master services agreement (MSA) I received reviewed?

Yes. Upload it to econtracts.ai and you get a plain-language review: key dates, money and points to check, each quoting the clause it comes from.

Related contract templates

Statement of work templateStatement of work (SOW)Service agreement templateService agreementData processing agreement templateData processing agreement (DPA)

This outline is a starting point for discussion, not legal advice, and it is not a complete contract. Laws differ by country and sector; have a qualified lawyer review contracts that matter.