Volunteer Agreement (UK)
Volunteer agreement for UK organizations including IP and data protection clauses
VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT
Note: This template is for UK SMEs, startups and small charities engaging an unpaid volunteer under English law. Read every Note before signing. Every yellow [Field] must be completed or removed; every Option A / B block requires a choice.
Note: Two ways to structure a volunteer arrangement under English law: (i) as a binding contract with enforceable terms on IP, confidentiality and data protection (this template), or (ii) as a non-binding 'in honour only' set of expectations supplemented, where needed, by a separate Deed of Assignment for IP and a separate Deed of Confidentiality. Approach (ii) gives the strongest protection against worker/employee reclassification because there is no consideration and therefore no contract — but it is more complex to set up and the IP/confidentiality protections only bite if the Deed is signed. This template uses approach (i), with a strong Volunteer Status clause (Clause 2) and zero payment beyond out-of-pocket Expenses to preserve genuine volunteer status. If you want approach (ii), delete Clauses 6, 7 and 8 and the binding-contract framing, and put separate Deeds in place.
PARTIES
This agreement is dated [date of agreement] and is made between:
(1) [organisation legal name], a [organisation entity description, e.g. 'company incorporated in england and wales' or 'charitable incorporated organisation' or 'community interest company'] with company or charity number [organisation company or charity number], whose registered office is at [organisation registered office] (the "Organisation"); and
(2) [volunteer full name], an individual of [volunteer home address] (the "Volunteer"),
each a Party and together the Parties.
Note: The Volunteer must be named as an individual — never via a personal service company. Engaging a volunteer through a PSC creates immediate IR35 / disguised-employment risk and undermines the unpaid-volunteer characterisation.
BACKGROUND
(A) The Organisation carries on the activities described as [brief description of the organisation's activities or sector, e.g. 'a uk-based startup providing legal technology services'].
(B) The Volunteer wishes to support the Organisation on a voluntary, unpaid basis by performing the Activities described in Schedule 1.
(C) The Parties do not intend this agreement to create a relationship of employment, worker, agency, partnership or joint venture.
Note: Recital (C) is not decisive — under English law, a tribunal looks at the reality of the arrangement, not the label. But starting with an explicit statement of intent helps frame the relationship and is widely accepted drafting practice for volunteer arrangements.
AGREED TERMS
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 In this agreement:
"Activities" means the voluntary tasks described in Clause 3 and Schedule 1.
"Background IPR" has the meaning given in Clause 6.4.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England and Wales.
"Commencement Date" means the date stated in Schedule 1.
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England & Wales note
This version is drafted for England & Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland differ on some points — for example notice periods and tribunal procedure. Tell GitLaw where you hire and it adjusts the draft.
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