Leadlex helped a B2B service provider sign a strategic cooperation agreement with an international partner
- An Estonian B2B company was negotiating with a large European partner to enter new markets.
- The work: analysis of the partner's contract and risk map, negotiation, SLA, IP, GDPR and liability limits.
- The outcome: a balanced agreement, fewer operational and legal risks and no disproportionate obligations.
The client and the situation
The client is an Estonian B2B company offering process automation, data analysis and business logistics solutions. It was negotiating with a large international partner from the European market in order to expand into new markets and serve more corporate clients.
The challenge
International B2B cooperation agreements are complex: they cover mutual obligations, data protection, technical SLAs, confidentiality and the use of IP. The client needed a strong negotiating position and an agreement that supports growth.
What we did
- analysed the partner's contract in full and mapped the legal risks;
- negotiated terms that balance the client's interests;
- structured the SLA and service quality obligations;
- protected IP, trade secrets and technology;
- assessed GDPR and data protection and added the necessary clauses;
- reduced risk around liability limits, warranties and sanctions;
- organised internal documentation and cooperation processes;
- advised on structuring the deal to support international expansion.
The outcome
The agreement was balanced and reduced operational and legal risks. The client avoided disproportionate obligations and could focus on developing its services and expanding.
Why it matters
In an international cooperation agreement, what is already signed is the hardest thing to change. The SLA, the liability cap and the IP clauses decide how much risk the service provider carries for years. If they are one-sided in the partner's template, the smaller party usually loses.
Lessons
- Do not sign a large partner's template without a legal review.
- Map the risks before negotiations, not during them.
- Negotiate the SLA, the liability cap and IP.
- Check the data protection (GDPR) and sub-processor provisions.
- Settle termination and post-termination obligations.
The deal was led by Leadlex chief lawyer Georgi Džaniašvili.
Frequently asked questions
When is a legal review of an international partner contract needed?
What should a B2B cooperation agreement contain?
Can a large partner's template be changed?
How long does a review of an international contract take?
Related services
Negotiating with a large partner? We review the contract before you sign.
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