Põhileping

Põhileping is an Estonian term that translates to "main agreement" or "framework agreement." It refers to a foundational contract that establishes the general terms and conditions for a future, more detailed contractual relationship. This type of agreement is often used in business and legal contexts to outline the overarching principles and intentions of parties before specific deliverables, timelines, or prices are fully defined.

The purpose of a põhileping is to provide a legal and commercial structure for ongoing cooperation or a series of related transactions. It typically covers aspects such as the scope of the relationship, the governing law, dispute resolution mechanisms, confidentiality, intellectual property rights, and termination clauses. By agreeing to a põhileping, parties signal their commitment to a particular course of action or partnership.

Subsequent agreements, often referred to as "lisalepingud" (addendum agreements) or "tellimused" (orders), will then build upon the framework established by the põhileping. These subsequent documents will detail the specifics of individual projects, services, or product deliveries, referencing the põhileping as their governing document. This approach allows for flexibility while ensuring a consistent legal basis for all related dealings. The põhileping simplifies the negotiation process for individual transactions by pre-determining many of the fundamental aspects of the relationship.