Contract termination notice template

How to use

1. Find the termination right in the contract: termination for convenience, termination for cause, or expiry. The letter must name the clause you rely on.
2. Read the notice clause and copy its requirements exactly: permitted channel (post, courier, email, portal), address, addressee or title, minimum notice period and any deemed receipt rule. See the notice clauses guide.
3. For termination for cause, check whether a cure period must run first and whether a prior breach notice is required. If so, send that first.
4. Count the deadline backward from the intended end date, adding the time the delivery method needs.
5. Send by the method the clause names (add a second channel as a courtesy, never instead). Keep the dispatch receipt, courier proof of delivery, sent-email headers and a copy of exactly what was sent.
6. Diarize the termination effective date, the data-return and final-invoice steps. The how to terminate a contract guide covers the wider process.

Template

[Your company legal name] [Your address]

[Date]

By [delivery method required by the notice clause, e.g. courier and email] To: [Counterparty legal name] Attention: [Addressee name and title as required by the notice clause] [Counterparty notice address]

Re: Notice of termination of [Contract title] dated [Contract date] between [Your company legal name] and [Counterparty legal name] (the "Agreement")

Dear [Addressee],

1. Pursuant to [Section / clause number] of the Agreement, [Your company legal name] gives notice that it terminates the Agreement [for convenience / at the end of the current term / for the reasons set out below].
2. The termination takes effect on [Effective date of termination], being not less than [number] [days / months] after the date this notice is given in accordance with [Section / clause number] (Notices).
3. [Only for termination for cause: The grounds are: [Describe the breach and the clause breached]. We notified you of this breach on [Date of breach notice] and it was not cured within the [number]-day cure period ending on [Date].]
4. Please confirm in writing by [Date] that you have received this notice and that the termination effective date above is acknowledged.
5. Until the termination date, [Your company legal name] will continue to perform its obligations under the Agreement and expects [Counterparty legal name] to do the same.
6. Please provide: (a) a final invoice for all amounts due up to the termination date, by [Date]; (b) return or deletion of [Your company legal name]'s data, materials and confidential information in accordance with [Section / clause number], with written confirmation of completion by [Date]; and (c) a transition plan for [services, if any] by [Date].
7. This notice is given without prejudice to any rights or remedies of [Your company legal name], all of which are reserved.

Sincerely,

[Name] [Title] [Your company legal name] [Contact email and phone]

Checklist before sending

This template is general information, not legal advice. Notice rules, cure rights and remedies differ by contract and jurisdiction; have a qualified lawyer review high-value or disputed terminations.

Pactinel can track notice deadlines and keep the effective terms across amendments in one place; see the free plan.