MKB Juristen drafts custom legal documents
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Having a Service Level Agreement (SLA) drafted by a specialized SME lawyer typically costs between 400 and 1,000 euros for a custom-made SLA, and less if you have an existing SLA audited. You pay for certainty regarding the points that really matter with an SLA: measurable levels, a watertight link to the main agreement, and fines or service credits that hold up. Because an SLA is not a standalone contract but an addendum, a large part of its value lies in its alignment with the main contract.
The short answer
- Custom DNO: typically 400 to 1,000 euros, depending on complexity.
- Having an existing DNA checked: often 150 to 450 euros.
- DNO plus main agreement: higher rate, because both must align.
- What you are buying: measurable levels and consequences that have a real impact in the event of non-performance.
- Turnaround time: a first version often within a few working days.
How much does it cost to have a DNO service level agreement drafted?
The price for having a service level agreement (SLA) drafted depends on the complexity and whether the main agreement already exists. A SLA accompanying an existing, clear main contract is simpler than one drafted simultaneously with a new service contract. Generally, you will see these price ranges from a specialized SME lawyer:
- Tailored DNO with an existing main contract: 400 to 800 euros.
- Complex DNO with multiple services or KPIs: 800 to 1,500 euros.
- DNO together with a main agreement: 1,000 to 2,500 euros.
- Verification of an existing DNA: 150 to 450 euros.
For straightforward DNOs, most lawyers work with a fixed rate. For a complex service or negotiations with a major supplier, this is sometimes done on an hourly basis. Request a quote in advance so you know what you will pay.
Do it yourself, check it, or outsource
There are three routes, and the right choice depends on the importance and dependency.
- Doing it yourself suits a standard service with limited interests and a supplier that already offers a reasonable DNO, provided you understand the levels.
- Having it checked is wise if you have a draft or a submitted DNO but have doubts about the measurability or the service credits.
- Having a contract drawn up pays off in cases of high dependency, large monthly fees, or a Data Protection Order (DNO) that you impose on a supplier yourself.
What you really pay for at a DNO
The value of a legal expert lies in three points. First, measurability: unambiguous definitions of downtime, response time, and resolution time, so that there is no room for discussion regarding whether a standard has been met. Second, the consequences: fines and service credits that hold up. Pursuant to Article 6:94 of the Dutch Civil Code, a judge may reduce an excessive fine, so the amounts must be reasonable and well-substantiated.
Thirdly, the alignment with the main agreement. A DNO is a supplement and not an independent title. If the main agreement contains a limitation of liability that erodes the service credits, or if the ranking between the documents is missing, your DNO will still be in a weak position in the event of default. A legal expert ensures that both documents reinforce each other rather than contradict each other.
The process step by step
- Intake: you describe the service, the desired levels, and the main agreement.
- Analysis: the legal expert assesses the feasibility of the levels and the link to the main contract.
- Draft: you will receive a first version, often within a few working days.
- Feedback: you discuss the levels, the measurement method, and the service credits.
- Final: the DNO is finalized and, where necessary, attached to the main contract.
Practical example: a logistics SME purchased a planning system on which its daily operations depended. The service level offered by the supplier was vaguely formulated and without consequences. The company had a Data Protection Agreement (DNO) drawn up stipulating 99.8 percent availability during business hours, a response time of one hour for critical failures, and a service credit that increased the longer the downtime lasted. The ranking relative to the main agreement was also arranged so that the credits were not eroded by a limitation of liability.
Honest recommendation
You do not always need a lawyer. If you purchase a standard service where the supplier offers a clear Data Protection Officer (DNO) with reasonable levels, and the interests are limited, you can assess that DNO yourself. Check whether the definitions are unambiguous, whether the service credits are reasonable, and whether the DNO aligns well with the main agreement, and you will be sufficiently protected in many situations.
Ensure the Data Protection Officer (DNO) is drafted or reviewed as soon as the stakes become higher: a service on which your company is heavily dependent, high monthly fees, or a supplier who shifts all the risk to you. In these cases, a vague definition or an eroded service credit can leave you empty-handed in the event of a prolonged outage. The expenditure of a few hundred euros will then outweigh the business losses you are covering.
Want to proceed immediately? View the Service Level Agreement (SLA) from MKB Juristen, first read what an SLA service level agreement is , and see how to drafting an SLA service level agreement .
Frequently Asked Questions
A custom-made DNO accompanying an existing master contract typically costs between 400 and 800 euros. A complex DNO with multiple services or KPIs ranges between 800 and 1,500 euros. A DNO combined with a master agreement is more expensive, as both must align. Having an existing DNO audited often costs between 150 and 450 euros.
Because a Data Protection Officer (DNO) is an addendum, it must align with the main agreement. If it is missing, the legal expert aligns both documents, including the order of precedence and liability. This is more work than adding a DNO to an existing, clear main contract.
After a thorough intake, you will usually receive a first draft within a few working days. The turnaround time depends on the complexity and how quickly you finalize the feedback on the levels, the measurement method, and the service credits. A clear DNO is often finalized within a week.
Yes. If a supplier presents you with a Data Network Agreement (DNO), a review is often sufficient and cheaper than a custom DNO, usually 150 to 450 euros. The legal expert checks whether the levels are measurable, whether the service credits are reasonable, and whether the DNO aligns well with the main agreement.
The value lies in measurable definitions, in penalties and service credits that hold up, and in the alignment with the main agreement. Pursuant to Article 6:94 of the Dutch Civil Code, a judge may mitigate an excessive penalty, and a limitation of liability in the main contract can erode credits. A legal expert prevents you from being left empty-handed in the event of a breach of contract.
No. A DNO only regulates the quality level of a service agreed upon in the main contract. Therefore, you always have a DNO drawn up in conjunction with, or with reference to, the main contract. Apart from a main contract, a DNO has no performance to which a level can be linked.
For a standard service with limited interests and a supplier already offering a reasonable Data Protection Agreement (DNO), you can assess it yourself. In that case, check the definitions, the service credits, and the alignment with the main agreement. In cases of high dependency or large amounts, having it drafted or reviewed is more advisable.
