Publication date: 30.06.2025
My specialization: Drafting legal documents, contract law, labor law, business compliance, immigration support, and cross-border consulting.
Introduction
This case concerns the legal support provided to a UK-based tech startup undergoing active expansion into the European Union. The company specializes in developing cloud-based solutions and SaaS platforms for business process automation. As it entered new markets, the startup needed a full set of legal documents to regulate relationships with freelancers, clients, and internal staff across multiple jurisdictions.
Case Overview
The task was to develop service agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and internal policies tailored to comply with GDPR and intellectual property protection, all adapted to different legal systems. The documentation needed to meet the legal requirements of the UK, as well as those of Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands — the startup’s initial expansion markets.
Challenges
- The need to adapt documents to the laws of several EU countries, taking into account local labor, data protection, and consumer rights regulations.
- The company had a limited legal budget and required universal templates suitable for repeated use.
- The company's product involved processing large volumes of personal data (including B2B client and end-user data), making GDPR compliance a key priority.
It was crucial to protect intellectual property created by both employees and contractors throughout the development process.
Solutions & Strategy
I developed a comprehensive legal package that included:
- Service Agreements for independent contractors and agencies, covering self-employment criteria, confidentiality clauses, IP provisions, payment terms, and termination rights.
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) for external partners, potential investors, and consultants — aligned with international standards and offering both mutual and one-way formats.
- Data Protection Policy in compliance with GDPR, including rules on data processing, storage, access, and deletion.
- IP assignment clauses in employment and contractor agreements — to protect code, design, and technical documentation.
- HR and founder team consultations on proper employee classification, distinction between staff and freelancers, and the formation of internal compliance policies.
Outcome
- The company received a comprehensive legal document package allowing for fully compliant collaboration with partners and contractors in both the UK and EU.
- Full GDPR compliance was achieved — including cross-border data transfers and data access by third-party contractors.
- The startup successfully launched new partnership initiatives in Germany and Poland without facing legal complications during checks or onboarding.
- A standardized contract and NDA signing procedure was implemented using electronic platforms, speeding up the onboarding process significantly.
This case demonstrates how critical professional legal support is for tech companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. In a globalized environment with growing regulatory scrutiny, legal improvisation is no longer an option. Well-prepared agreements and policies not only mitigate risks but also provide the foundation for stable, scalable growth.
