Custom legal document

Drafting a certificate

Have it drafted, amended, or reviewed by our legal experts and/or lawyers starting from 99
SME Lawyers

Do not write this document yourself — DIY often results in expensive problems.
Have a lawyer review it and avoid misunderstandings, mistakes, and difficulties.

  • Truly Tailor-Made Legal Solutions
  • Fixed rates
  • Pay later after draft
  • Free adjustment round
  • Delivered within 5 working days
  • Express delivery possible
  • Available in Dutch and English

How does it work?
Our services include a free consultation, a draft document, a revision round, and a final document. We invoice after sending the draft document.

Experience with legal services for entrepreneurs since 2001
Lawyers and legal professionals.Direct contact with a specialist who thinks practically.
Fixed rates.Where possible, clarity regarding costs in advance.
Within 4 hoursWe respond quickly to your request.
  • We worked for, among others:
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner
  • MKBjuristen.nl partner

We worked for, among others:

An incorrect document often provides a false sense of security.
You think everything is taken care of, but only discover whether the document actually works during a conflict or claim.

1

Free intake

We discuss your company, the purpose of the document, and the key risks.

2

Draft or check

We draft a custom document or review your existing document legally.

3

Final version

You will receive a final version with instructions on correct usage.

Mr. Jaime Boogaers
Mr. Jaime Boogaers
Corporate Law
Attorney, 16 years of experience

A legal document must not only be legally correct. Above all, it must align with how the entrepreneur will actually use the document

  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Active since 2001
  • Affordable custom legal services
  • Always focused on practical use

Choose Tailored Legal Solutions

Choose whether you want to have the document drafted, checked, or modified. Prices and options vary per document.

From 99
Customization
from 99.- per document

Do you already have a document, but are unsure if it is still correct? We check content, risks, and practical usability.

from 99.- per document

Is your document outdated, copied, generated with AI, or no longer suitable? We check and adjust the document.

About us

Our expertise

Our lawyers and in-house counsel specialize in drafting, reviewing, and amending legal documents and contracts. We look not only at the legal text but also at how you use the document in practice.

Custom solutions for your industry

Every business operates differently. That is why we take your industry, customers, working methods, and specific risks into account.

Our facts

  • Active since 2001
  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Fixed rates in advance
  • Tailored legal solutions for entrepreneurs
  • Thousands of agreements per year
  • Customization
  • About us
from 99.- per document

Do you already have a document, but are unsure if it is still correct? We check content, risks, and practical usability.

  • Our legal expert spends 0.5 to 1.5 hours on the check
  • Telephone intake with a lawyer
  • Checks on content, risks, and practical usability
  • Attention to liability, payment, and termination
  • Concrete points for improvement and legal advice
  • Delivered within 3 working days, express delivery possible
from 99.- per document

Is your document outdated, copied, generated with AI, or no longer suitable? We check and adjust the document.

  • Our legal expert spends 0.5 to 1.5 hours checking and making adjustments
  • Telephone intake with a lawyer
  • Verification of the existing document
  • Adaptation to your business and working methods
  • Suitable for new services, customers, or risks
  • Delivered within 5 working days, express delivery possible

About us

Our expertise

Our lawyers and in-house counsel specialize in drafting, reviewing, and amending legal documents and contracts. We look not only at the legal text but also at how you use the document in practice.

Custom solutions for your industry

Every business operates differently. That is why we take your industry, customers, working methods, and specific risks into account.

Our facts

  • Active since 2001
  • Lawyers and in-house counsel
  • Fixed rates in advance
  • Tailored legal solutions for entrepreneurs
  • Thousands of agreements per year

Reviews (21)

Arno

We had a fairly specific legal issue, but this was no problem at all. The document contained handy fill-in fields for future use, making it highly reusable. The service was professional and personal.

Laurens

I am extremely pleased with the quick and adequate initial response. The process was organized in such a way that we achieved maximum output with minimal effort. The document was accepted flawlessly by our investors.

Raymond

Our assignment was accepted with great enthusiasm and professionalism. The setup of the cooperation agreement was logical and very well structured. The quality fully met our expectations.

Fouad

I couldn't see the wood for the trees, but the first meeting immediately provided clarity. The corrections were implemented lightning-fast in the new version every time. The document was accepted flawlessly by our investors.

Monique

The communication was smooth and professional. The advice regarding the collection terms in the terms and conditions was particularly useful for our cash flow. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Adil

It was immediately clear which steps we needed to follow. It was very pleasant that we could review the drafts digitally and quickly. Our customers are responding positively to the clear general terms and conditions.

Khadija

We immediately clicked well with the lawyer who assisted us. The process was clear from start to finish. A reliable partner who strives for perfection in their documents.

Fatima

The initial analysis of our documents was razor-sharp. The speed with which complex legislative changes were integrated into our document was excellent. The service was professional and personal.

Boris

They immediately zoomed in on the matters that were truly important to us. The proactive attitude while waiting for feedback from our counterparty was very pleasant. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Tobias

The promise of a quick start-up was absolutely fulfilled. The lawyer managed to strike exactly the right balance between legal density and readability. A party that delivers on what it promises on the website.

Boaz

We didn't know exactly which document we needed, but received sound advice immediately. It was a relief that our emails were often answered comprehensively within just a few hours. Our business partners were impressed by the professionalism of the contracts.

Cem

From the initial consultation, it was clear what we could expect. The lawyer always maintained an overview, even when the wish list changed in the meantime. These documents will undoubtedly save us a lot of headaches in the future.

Safae

The direct contact and the absence of hidden costs were the deciding factors. We were also able to ask questions after the initial consultation. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Mats

I had not expected legal assistance could be so accessible. The lawyer was not afraid to be critical of our own initial plans, which saved us from mistakes. Our clients are responding positively to the clear terms and conditions.

Mariska

Our questions were taken seriously. The document was essentially ready for use after the first round of corrections. The quality fully met our expectations.

Samir

No waiting times or endless menus; we got someone on the line immediately. They thought along with us not only from a legal perspective but also from a practical one. The quality fully met our expectations.

Ruben

The process went smoothly and was well-organized. Ample time was taken to discuss the various options and their implications. A party that delivers on what it promises on its website.

Melissa

Practical advice that we could use immediately. The lawyer's empathy and understanding made this a very pleasant collaboration. A reliable partner who strives for perfection in their documents.

Noah

We immediately got the right expert on the line for our specific problem. Reviewing and editing our terms and conditions has significantly improved the quality. A reliable partner that strives for perfection in their documents.

Maarten

Professional approach without unnecessarily complicated language. The discussion regarding specific non-compete clauses was handled very professionally. The final result aligns 100% with our high standards.

Jeroen

Excellent communication and a carefully drafted document. We received a clear explanation of the risks. Fantastic value for money for this level of expertise.

Meet our office

Our ContractCheck, simply explained what can all go wrong.

Why MKB Juristen?

Since 2001, we have been active as a no-nonsense legal firm for entrepreneurs. We quickly get to the heart of the matter: with a thorough assessment, clear answers, and a document that works practically.

  • Nationwide coverage
  • First consultation free and without obligation
  • Fixed rates where possible
  • Affordable legal advice from lawyers and legal experts
  • Always a response within 4 hours

First, see how we work

A legal document requires trust. You see immediately who we are, how we help entrepreneurs, and why we do not work with standard templates.

  • You can view our working method before submitting an application
  • You will get a feel for the office and the people faster
  • The video supports the choice for customized legal solutions
  • After that, you can immediately request a quote or intake

What you can expect from us

We translate your situation into a legal document that you can actually use. You won't receive a loose template, but a document tailored to your business, agreements, and risks.

  • A clear roadmap: intake, concept, revision round, and final version
  • Practical explanation on how to use the document
  • Legal attention to liability, payment, and termination
  • Where possible, provide clarity in advance regarding price and delivery time
Are you unsure whether you should have the document drafted, checked, or amended?
During the initial consultation, we will determine the sensible course of action together. Afterward, you will know exactly where you stand.

Why customization?

A legal document only works well if it aligns with your business, agreements, risks, and industry. That is why we do not work with a standard generator, but with legal experts who assess your situation.

  • Prepared for your company
  • Telephone consultation included
  • No standard template
  • Review by legal specialists

What do you get?

You will receive a legal document that is practical and aligns with the agreements you wish to make.

  • Draft document or legal review
  • One adjustment round
  • Clear explanation where necessary
  • Fixed price where possible

The founders of MKB Juristen

Our organization consists of several small teams working within various legal fields. Each legal field has its own senior in-house counsel and/or lawyers.

Denian Wielhouwer

Corporate lawyer in corporate law & business expert

Denian Wielhouwer

Annelore Hendriks

Corporate lawyer, corporate law, administrative law

Annelore Hendriks

Ilja van Driel

Corporate law attorney, employment law

Ilja van Driel

Jaime Boogaers

Corporate law, ICT & privacy law, energy law attorney

Jaime Boogaers
Custom choices

Which choices determine the content?

The content of the certificate depends on what the employee requests and the factual situation. Make these choices consciously.

Choice or question Why this matters legally
Does the employee want an evaluation? You only include a value judgment regarding performance and behavior if the employee requests it.
Should the reason for leaving be included? You may state the reason and manner of termination only upon express request.
Who signs the certificate? Have it signed by a person authorized to act on behalf of the company.
What tone and phrasing is appropriate? Keep it factual and neutral; avoid unnecessarily negative or ambiguous wording.
Which data is allowed and which is not? Limit yourself to relevant data and avoid including special personal data.
Clauses and provisions

What components belong in a certificate?

A certificate of employment always contains a number of fixed, factual details. You may only provide additional, evaluative information at the express request of the employee.

Provision Relevant to Legal point of attention
Nature of the work Always Describe the position and the work performed factually and recognizably.
Duration of employment Always State the start and end dates of the employment contract.
Scope of work Always Indicate the agreed number of hours or the part-time factor.
Method of termination Upon request Only include if the employee explicitly requests it.
Reason for termination Upon request State the reason only if the employee wishes.
Performance evaluation Upon request You provide an opinion on work and behavior only upon request and truthfully.
Employer details Always Name, establishment, date of issue and signature by an authorized person.
Employee details Always Full name and date of birth, if applicable, for identification.
Use in practice

How do you use this document correctly?

You must issue a certificate carefully and on time. Follow these steps to fulfill your obligation.

Situation What should you do? Point of attention
Upon termination of employment Ask if the employee wishes to receive a certificate of employment You are obliged to provide it upon request (Art. 7:656 BW).
After the request Prepare the certificate within a reasonable timeframe Unnecessary delay may make you liable for damages.
For issue Verify all factual data for accuracy Inaccuracies can harm the employee and give rise to liability.
Upon signing Have it signed by an authorized person A legally valid certificate requires a signature on behalf of the employer.
Common mistakes

Common mistakes

When drafting a certificate of employment, things often go wrong at the same points. Avoid these pitfalls.

Wrong Consequence Better approach
Include an unsolicited negative judgment The employee is disadvantaged and you may be liable Record a review only upon request and truthfully.
State reason for departure without request Violation of the rules regarding the certificate State the reason and manner of termination only upon request.
Incorrect or incomplete facts The employee suffers damage and you bear the risk Check position, dates, and scope of work before issuance.
Refuse or train You are acting in violation of your legal duty Issue the certificate in a timely manner after the request.
Include special personal data Conflict with the GDPR and privacy risk for the employee Limit yourself to relevant, neutral, and factual data.
Risk profile

What is your situation and what do you pay attention to?

Depending on the reason for the departure, you should pay attention to different points regarding the certificate.

Risk profile Example Focus in the document
Depart on good terms The employee resigns at their own request Keep it factual and positive where truthful.
Dismissal after conflict The employment ended amidst tensions Remain strictly factual and neutral to avoid liability.
Termination during probationary period Short duration of employment State duration and position correctly; reason only upon request.
Request for assessment The employee wants an assessment of performance Give an honest, well-substantiated, and not unnecessarily negative judgment.
Additional documents

When is this document not enough?

A certificate of employment only covers the completion of the employment. For other situations, you need additional documents.

Situation Supplementary document Why
Situation Related document Explanation
You are hiring a new employee Employment contract Record the agreements with the employee at the start of the employment.
You wish to arrange the departure by mutual agreement Settlement Agreement With this agreement, you terminate the employment by mutual consent.
The employee may not share trade secrets Confidentiality Agreement Protect confidential information even after the end of employment.
Explanation of this document

Drafting a certificate, why?

Not every entrepreneur knows exactly what a certificate of competence is, when you need them, and which risks they must cover. That is why we explain below what this document entails, what you should look out for, and why customized legal solutions are important.

What is a certificate?
A certificate of employment is the written statement provided by an employer to an employee upon termination of employment, confirming the nature and duration of the work performed. Pursuant to Article 7:656 of the Dutch Civil Code, an employee is entitled to a certificate of employment upon the termination of the employment contract. This right is mandatory—the employer cannot exclude it contractually. The certificate of employment must contain at least the nature of the work performed and the duration of the employment. If the employee requests it, the certificate must also include an assessment of the manner in which the employee performed their duties and of the employee's conduct during the employment. The certificate of employment is of great importance to employees regarding their position in the labor market, and for employers, it is a document that requires due care to avoid liability. Our lawyers draft a certificate of employment for employers that is legally correct, protects the employer against liability in the event of overly positive or negative evaluations, and complies with employment law requirements.
What information must a certificate contain as a minimum?
Pursuant to Article 7:656, paragraph 1 of the Dutch Civil Code, a certificate of employment must contain at a minimum: the nature of the work performed — the position or job title and a description of the duties — and the duration of the employment — the start and end dates of the employment contract. If the employee requests a more extensive certificate of employment, the employer is also required, pursuant to Article 7:656, paragraph 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, to provide an assessment of the manner in which duties were performed — the quality of the work, performance, and competencies — and of the employee's conduct during the employment — cooperation, attitude, and reliability. The employer is obliged to provide a fair and complete assessment — he may not omit any information relevant to future employers, even if that information is negative for the employee. Our lawyers draft a certificate of employment that meets all legal requirements.
What are the liability risks associated with a certificate?
The employer faces liability risks on two fronts. Too positive: if the employer presents an overly rosy picture of the employee in the certificate of employment and a prospective employer suffers damage as a result — hiring the employee based on the positive certificate, and the employee underperforms — the issuing employer may be liable for that damage. This is known as liability for misleading certificates of employment. Too negative: if the employer includes negative qualifications in the certificate that are not factually substantiated or are disproportionate, the employee may file a claim for rectification and demand compensation for the damage suffered because it becomes more difficult for them to find work. A certificate of employment must be factually correct, complete, and honest. Our lawyers draft a certificate of employment that correctly maintains this balance.
How do you handle a contentious departure situation?
In the event of a departure that did not take place on good terms—dismissal due to poor performance, a termination agreement following a conflict, or summary dismissal where the employee objected—drafting a certificate of employment is particularly delicate. The employer is legally obliged to provide a certificate of employment, even if they would prefer not to. In the termination agreement or settlement agreement, the parties can make arrangements regarding the content of the certificate: a neutral wording that is neither positive nor negative, the omission of the reason for departure, or a standard sentence regarding the mutual unsuitability of the relationship. Our lawyers advise you on the legally safest wording in contentious departures and draft the certificate of employment that complies with the legal obligation without unnecessary liability risks.
How does it work at MKBjuristen?
After a brief intake regarding the departing employee, their position, and the circumstances of the departure, our lawyers draft a certificate of employment that meets the statutory requirements of Article 7:656 of the Dutch Civil Code, is factually accurate and balanced, and protects the employer against liability. We also advise you on aligning the certificate of employment with the termination agreement or settlement agreement.
Are you unsure whether your document is legally correct? We would be happy to assess the sensible course of action: drafting, reviewing, or amending.
Request a quote

Why not use a standard document?

A standard document often seems like a quick solution, but usually does not fully align with your company, agreements, risks, and way of working. Our legal experts draft documents that fit your situation.

Standard document
SME Lawyers
Not tailored to your business
Tailored to your company, industry, and working methods
No control over your specific situation
Consultation with a lawyer and assessment of your risks
Possibly outdated or incomplete
Verification of current and practical provisions
No personal explanation
Explanation regarding the use of the document

A standard document seems cheap, until it doesn't fit your situation properly. That is why we provide custom legal solutions tailored to your business.

Custom solutions per industry and company

Every business operates differently and faces different legal risks. Therefore, we tailor the document to your industry, customers, agreements, and way of working.

Webshops & e-commerce

Focus on online sales, delivery, returns, complaints, payment, digital products, and consumer regulations.

Business services

Attention to the assignment, additional work, liability, payment, termination, and reliance on client information.

Construction, installation & execution

Attention to planning, delivery, warranties, additional work, materials, delays, and liability risks.

Software, SaaS & digital services

Attention to licenses, availability, support, updates, data, intellectual property, and limitation of liability.

Trade, supply & wholesale

Attention to delivery, transport, payment, retention of title, warranties, delivery times, and international agreements.

Consultants, freelancers & advisors

Attention to scope, best efforts obligations, cancellation, payment, liability, and confidential information.


A legal document only has value if it suits your practice. That is why we look not only at the text, but also at how you use the document in your business.

Common mistakes with legal documents

A legal document often seems simple, but small errors can have major consequences later on. In practice, we see that entrepreneurs run the greatest risk when a document does not align well with their business, agreements, or way of working.

  • Using a standard document that does not suit the company
  • Forgot important agreements regarding payment, delivery, liability, or termination
  • Have a document generated without legal review
  • Continuing to use old documents while the company has changed
  • Not knowing how the document should be used correctly in practice

A legal document only prevents problems if it suits your situation. That is why we look not only at the text, but also at your company, agreements, and risks.

Why is a standard document often not enough?

Because a standard document does not take into account your industry, customers, risks, and specific agreements, important provisions may be missing or not align well with your practice.

Can I create a legal document myself using AI?

AI can assist in creating text, but does not independently assess whether the document is legally appropriate, complete, and usable for your business. Legal review therefore remains important.

When do I need to have my document checked?

Have your document checked if your business has changed, you have new customers or services, you have doubts about existing agreements, or the document has not been updated for a long time.

Will I also receive an explanation about the use of the document?

Yes. We explain how to use the document in practice, what to look out for, and which steps are important to prevent disputes afterwards.

Contact us

Annelore Hendriks

Want to know more about our services?
Then contact our specialists.

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SME Lawyers at the Chamber of Commerce Source: Chamber of Commerce 2019
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