Non-solicitation clause

How it is used

Used in employment contracts, share sales and services agreements, often next to a non-compete clause. Because it is usually narrower than a non-compete, courts are more willing to enforce it. You 'solicit' or, informally, 'poach' staff or customers.

Example sentences

1. The non-solicitation clause prevents us from hiring the supplier's engineers for 12 months.

2. He did not breach the non-compete, but he did breach the non-solicitation clause by contacting his old clients.

Common collocations

• breach a non-solicitation clause
• non-solicitation of employees
• non-solicitation of customers
• restrictive covenants

Related terms

• non-compete clauseA clause that stops a person or company from competing with the other party, for example by working for a rival, for a limited time and in a limited area.
• employment contractA contract between an employer and an employee that sets out the job, pay, working hours, holidays and the rules for ending the relationship.
• share purchase agreementThe main contract in a company acquisition, under which the seller transfers shares in the target company to the buyer for an agreed price.
• trade secretValuable business information, such as a formula, a process or a customer list, that gives a company an advantage because it is kept secret.

More terms: Employment Contracts

• notice period
• dismissal
• independent contractor
• severance pay