Director's Service Agreement (Ireland)
DIRECTOR'S SERVICE AGREEMENT
DIRECTOR'S SERVICE AGREEMENT Date: [Agreement Date] BETWEEN: [Company Name] (CRO No. [Company C R O]), with registered office at [Company Address] (the "Company"); and [Director Name], of [Director Address] (the "Director").
1. APPOINTMENT
1.1 The Company appoints the Director as [Job Title] with effect from [Start Date]. 1.2 The Director shall report to [Reporting To]. 1.3 Principal Place of Work: [Place Of Work]
2. DUTIES
2.1 The Director shall perform the following duties: [Duties]
2.2 The Director shall comply with all fiduciary duties owed to the Company under the Companies Act 2014, including the duty to act in good faith in the interests of the Company.
3. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
3.1 Base Salary: [Base Salary] per annum (gross), payable monthly in arrears, subject to PAYE, PRSI and USC deductions.
3.2 Bonus: [Bonus]
3.3 Pension: [Pension Arrangement]
3.4 Annual Leave: [Annual Leave]
3.5 Other Benefits: [Other Benefits]
4. TERMINATION
4.1 Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving [Notice Period] written notice.
4.2 Garden Leave: [Garden Leave]. Where applicable, the Company may require the Director to serve all or part of the notice period on garden leave.
4.3 The Director may be removed from the board by ordinary resolution under Section 146 of the Companies Act 2014, without prejudice to any contractual claim for damages.
5. POST-TERMINATION RESTRICTIONS
5.1 Non-Compete: For [Non Compete Duration] following termination, the Director shall not engage in the following competing activities: [Non Compete Scope]
5.2 Confidentiality: [Confidentiality]
6. GOVERNING LAW
6.1 This Agreement is governed by Irish law. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Irish courts. The parties' statutory rights under Irish employment legislation are not affected by this Agreement.
SIGNATURES
Signed for and on behalf of [Company Name]: _________________________ Authorised Signatory Date: _____________
Signed by [Director Name]: _________________________ Date: _____________
Company Authorised Signatory
________________
Signature
Director
________________
Signature
What Is a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland)?
A Director's Service Agreement in Ireland sets the services to be provided, the fees, the timetable, and each side's responsibilities for the engagement, and takes its legal force from the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015.
The legal framework governing the Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) in Ireland draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, enforced by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to this agreement retain rights under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 and the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Section 8 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 grants the WRC adjudication officers jurisdiction to hear claims. The Data Protection Act 2018, implementing GDPR in Ireland, governs personal data processed under this agreement. Revenue Commissioners require PAYE/PRSI compliance for all employment arrangements. Parties executing a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) in Ireland should confirm the document reflects current Irish law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 sets the foundational requirements, while secondary legislation and statutory instruments may impose additional obligations depending on the specific circumstances of the transaction. Under Section 67 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964, property-related elements must comply with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requirements. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022 in consumer-facing transactions. The Companies Act 2014, Section 169, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 impose non-discrimination obligations on all commercial agreements executed in Ireland.
The legal framework governing the Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) in Ireland draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, enforced by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to this agreement retain rights under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 and the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Section 8 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 grants the WRC adjudication officers jurisdiction to hear claims. The Data Protection Act 2018, implementing GDPR in Ireland, governs personal data processed under this agreement. Revenue Commissioners require PAYE/PRSI compliance for all employment arrangements. Parties executing a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) in Ireland should confirm the document reflects current Irish law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 sets the foundational requirements, while secondary legislation and statutory instruments may impose additional obligations depending on the specific circumstances of the transaction.
When Do You Need a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland)?
A director service agreement is needed when: a company appoints an executive director who will also be an employee; parties wish to document the terms of a senior executive appointment; a company wants to include garden leave, non-compete, or non-solicitation provisions; or when a company is preparing for investment or acquisition and investors require properly documented executive terms.
Parties in Ireland should prepare a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Irish courts, including the District Court, Circuit Court, and High Court of Ireland, interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, enforced by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to this agreement retain rights under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 and the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Section 8 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 grants the WRC adjudication officers jurisdiction to hear claims. The Data Protection Act 2018, implementing GDPR in Ireland, governs personal data processed under this agreement. Revenue Commissioners require PAYE/PRSI compliance for all employment arrangements. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority — such as the Central Bank of Ireland, Companies Registration Office (CRO), or Data Protection Commission (DPC) — may be required before execution. Consulting a qualified Irish solicitor confirms all regulatory steps are completed in the correct order. Under Section 67 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964, property-related elements must comply with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requirements. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022 in consumer-facing transactions. The Companies Act 2014, Section 169, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 impose non-discrimination obligations on all commercial agreements executed in Ireland.
What to Include in Your Director's Service Agreement (Ireland)
Key elements of an Irish director service agreement include: appointment details covering title, start date, and reporting line; duties and responsibilities; base salary and benefits; annual leave and sick pay; probation period; notice period; garden leave provisions; fiduciary duties under the Companies Act 2014; post-termination restrictions including non-compete and non-solicitation; confidentiality obligations; and governing law. The forms-legal.com Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) template covers the mandatory elements under Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015.
Additional compliance elements for a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) used in Ireland include: Data Protection — the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 6 require a lawful basis for processing personal data; Governing Law — specify Irish law and the jurisdiction of Irish courts; Dispute Resolution — parties may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for employment matters or initiate proceedings in the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland for civil claims. Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, enforced by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to this agreement retain rights under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 and the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Section 8 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 grants the WRC adjudication officers jurisdiction to hear claims. The Data Protection Act 2018, implementing GDPR in Ireland, governs personal data processed under this agreement. Revenue Commissioners require PAYE/PRSI compliance for all employment arrangements. Revenue Commissioners require appropriate tax treatment of payments made under the agreement, including VAT under the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 where applicable. Under Section 67 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964, property-related elements must comply with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requirements. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022 in consumer-facing transactions. The Companies Act 2014, Section 169, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 impose non-discrimination obligations on all commercial agreements executed in Ireland.
Additional compliance elements for a Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) used in Ireland include: Data Protection — the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 6 require a lawful basis for processing personal data; Governing Law — specify Irish law and the jurisdiction of Irish courts; Dispute Resolution — parties may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for employment matters or initiate proceedings in the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland for civil claims. Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, enforced by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to this agreement retain rights under the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015 and the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Section 8 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 grants the WRC adjudication officers jurisdiction to hear claims. The Data Protection Act 2018, implementing GDPR in Ireland, governs personal data processed under this agreement. Revenue Commissioners require PAYE/PRSI compliance for all employment arrangements. Revenue Commissioners require appropriate tax treatment of payments made under the agreement, including VAT under the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 where applicable.
Sources & Citations
Statutory citations link to official government sources.
- GDPR Article 6EU – GDPR
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) (Ireland) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/ireland/employment/contracts/directors-service-agreement-ireland
"Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) (Ireland)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/ireland/employment/contracts/directors-service-agreement-ireland.
@misc{formslegal-directors-service-agreement-ireland,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) (Ireland)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/ireland/employment/contracts/directors-service-agreement-ireland}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
While there is no strict legal requirement to have a written director's service agreement, it is strongly recommended for executive directors (those who also work as employees of the company). Under the Companies Act 2014, Section 158 requires that a copy of any director's service contract exceeding five years be available for inspection at the company's registered office. Without a written agreement, the terms of the director's engagement may be unclear, leading to disputes about remuneration, duties, restrictive covenants, and termination entitlements. The Employment Rights Acts also apply to executive directors in their capacity as employees, so the agreement must comply with the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994–2014, which require written particulars of employment. Under Ireland law, specifically the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, parties should seek independent legal advice to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements and confirm the document meets the standards set by the relevant regulatory authorities.
A director's service agreement combines elements of a standard employment contract with additional provisions specific to the director's role. Like an employment contract, it covers salary, holiday entitlement, sick pay, disciplinary procedures, and statutory rights under Irish employment law. But it also addresses director-specific matters such as board duties and obligations under the Companies Act 2014, fiduciary duties (to act in good faith in the interests of the company), restrictions on competing activities, share options or equity arrangements, garden leave provisions, and post-termination restrictive covenants. The director's fiduciary duties as a director exist independently of the service agreement by virtue of the Companies Act 2014, but the agreement can supplement and clarify these obligations.
The notice period for terminating a director's service agreement depends on the terms of the agreement itself. In the absence of an agreed notice period, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973 prescribes minimum statutory notice periods based on length of service: one week for 13 weeks to 2 years' service; two weeks for 2–5 years; four weeks for 5–10 years; six weeks for 10–15 years; and eight weeks for 15 or more years. However, directors of listed companies or senior executives typically negotiate significantly longer notice periods (3–12 months). Under the Companies Act 2014, a director can be removed from office by ordinary resolution of shareholders (Section 146), but this does not affect their contractual entitlements under the service agreement. Under Ireland law, specifically the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, parties should seek independent legal advice to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements and confirm the document meets the standards set by the relevant regulatory authorities.
Post-termination restrictive covenants — such as non-compete clauses, non-solicitation of customers, and non-dealing provisions — are potentially enforceable in Ireland, but only to the extent they are reasonable. Irish courts will scrutinise such clauses under the common law doctrine of restraint of trade. To be enforceable, a restriction must: protect a legitimate business interest (such as customer relationships, trade secrets, or confidential information); be no wider than reasonably necessary; and be reasonable with regard to duration, geographic scope, and the activities restricted. Courts have struck down clauses that are too broad in scope or duration. Typical enforceable restrictions for executive directors might include 6–12 month non-compete clauses within a defined geographic area and sector.
A Director's Service Agreement (Ireland) does not legally require a lawyer in Ireland, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Ireland lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Companies Registration Office (CRO) may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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