General terms and conditions
Last updated: 1 May 2026
Clear agreements as the basis for good cooperation
At DDJ& we believe successful cooperation starts with trust, open communication and mutual respect. That is why we keep our general terms and conditions deliberately short and clear.
These terms apply to all our assignments. Their purpose is to make clear in advance how we work together, so that during the assignment we can focus on what really matters: finding the right executive, supervisory board member or leader, and carefully guiding that process.
As is customary in our profession, we also set out a number of arrangements for situations where things go differently than expected, and we limit our liability. Should any discussion ever arise about this, we will always first look for a reasonable solution together. That fits who we are and how we have worked with our clients since our founding.
We believe that high-quality executive search and governance advice are worth something. At the same time, we believe that organisations with an important social mission should have access to that quality. We are always happy to discuss this in advance.
Who we are
Dixon & De Jaeger BV
Trading as DDJ&
Laan 26-28
1181 AB Broek in Waterland
The Netherlands
Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number: 67166784
VAT number: NL856858080B01
1. Definitions and applicability
In these terms, we mean the following:
- DDJ&: Dixon & De Jaeger BV;
- client: the party that engages DDJ& for an assignment;
- assignment: the work agreed between DDJ& and the client, including recruitment and selection, executive search, governance advice, organisational advice and guidance of selection procedures;
- candidate: a person approached, assessed or put forward by DDJ& in connection with an assignment.
These terms apply to all quotations, assignments and agreements between DDJ& and the client, and to all work arising from them. They also apply to work that DDJ& has carried out by third parties.
Deviations from these terms only apply if DDJ& has confirmed them in writing.
We expressly reject any general terms, purchasing conditions or other terms of the client, unless we have accepted their applicability in writing.
If the quotation and these terms contradict each other, the quotation prevails.
2. Formation of the assignment
A quotation from DDJ& is valid for 30 days, unless a different period is stated in it.
An assignment comes into being as soon as the client confirms the quotation in writing or by email, or as soon as DDJ& has begun performance with the client's consent.
We make these terms available before or at the time the agreement is concluded. They can also always be consulted at www.dixon-dejaeger.com/algemene-voorwaarden.
3. Performance of the assignment
We carry out every assignment carefully, independently and to the best of our judgement. During the process we safeguard the quality of decision-making, create room for different perspectives, and encourage open and honest conversations.
Our obligation is an obligation of effort (*inspanningsverplichting*). We commit ourselves fully to a good result, but we do not guarantee that a vacancy will be filled or that a particular result will be achieved.
The client provides, in a timely and complete manner, the information needed to properly carry out the assignment, and is responsible for its accuracy. If this information is not provided or proves incorrect, we may suspend performance. Delay and additional costs resulting from this are for the client's account.
We may engage third parties in carrying out the assignment. We may also, after consultation with the client, replace an advisor involved in the assignment with an advisor of equal standing.
Unless otherwise agreed, the assignment is granted to DDJ& on an exclusive basis.
4. Fees and payment
Rates and payment arrangements are set out in the quotation. All amounts are exclusive of VAT.
Unless otherwise agreed, we invoice in instalments, linked to the phases of the assignment.
The client pays invoices within 30 days of the invoice date. In the event of late payment, the client owes statutory commercial interest and extrajudicial collection costs without notice of default being required, and we may suspend our work.
Costs incurred with third parties, such as advertising costs, assessments, and travel and accommodation costs, may be passed on. We always discuss this in advance.
For assignments running longer than twelve months, we may adjust our rates annually as of 1 January.
5. Duration, amendment and termination
The duration of the assignment is set out in the quotation. Planning and approach may be adjusted during the course of the assignment by mutual agreement.
If this changes the scope or nature of the assignment, this may affect the fee and the planning. We will confirm this in writing.
Either party may terminate the assignment in the interim, observing a reasonable notice period and in writing.
If the client terminates the assignment in the interim, the client owes the fee for the work performed and costs incurred up to that point, increased by the fee for the phase the assignment was in at that time.
We may suspend or terminate the assignment if the client fails to meet its obligations, or in the situation described in Article 8\. Either party may also terminate the agreement with immediate effect in the event of the other party's bankruptcy, suspension of payments, or cessation of business.
6. Confidentiality and privacy
We treat all information about clients, candidates and the assignment as confidential. This obligation applies to both parties and continues to apply after the assignment has ended.
Confidentiality does not apply to information that is already public, or that must be disclosed by law or by court order.
The privacy of candidates comes first. The client uses candidate information exclusively for the relevant procedure, shares it only with the persons involved in that procedure, and destroys or returns it after the procedure has ended.
We process personal data in accordance with our privacy statement and our candidate privacy statement.
As soon as we share candidate data with the client, the client becomes an independent controller for that data within the meaning of the GDPR. Where necessary, the parties will enter into a data processing agreement.
7. Candidates
We put candidates forward on the basis of careful research and our own professional judgement. Some of the information about a candidate comes from the candidate themselves or from public sources. We verify this information only to the extent agreed.
The client uses the profiles we put forward exclusively for the relevant procedure, and does not share them with other organisations without our prior consent.
If, within twelve months of being put forward, the client — or an organisation affiliated with the client — enters into an employment or executive/board relationship with a candidate put forward by DDJ&, in any capacity whatsoever and outside the relevant procedure, the full fee for the assignment becomes payable.
8. Independence and integrity
Integrity is not a formality for DDJ&, but a starting principle. We carry out every assignment independently, carefully and transparently, and we are alert to any form of (the appearance of) conflict of interest or improper influence. We expect the same attitude from everyone involved, so that every candidate can trust in a fair and careful selection process.
The parties inform each other as soon as possible of circumstances that could lead to a conflict of interest. We may decline or return an assignment if it is incompatible with another assignment we are already carrying out.
If, in our judgement, the integrity or the diligence of the procedure is materially compromised, we may suspend or terminate the assignment. The fee for the work performed up to that point remains payable in that case.
9. Liability
Our liability is limited to the amount paid out by our professional liability insurance in the relevant case, increased by the deductible. If the insurer does not pay out, our liability is limited to the fee for the relevant assignment, with a maximum of the fee invoiced in the twelve months preceding the event causing the damage.
We are not liable for indirect damage, consequential damage, loss of profit, missed savings or reputational damage.
We are not liable for decisions clients make on the basis of our advice, nor for whether or not a vacancy is ultimately filled.
Nor are we liable for damage resulting from incorrect or incomplete information provided by candidates or third parties.
The client indemnifies DDJ& against claims from third parties, including candidates, arising from acts or omissions of the client itself.
These limitations do not apply in cases of intent or deliberate recklessness on the part of DDJ& or its management.
10. Force majeure
Force majeure exists where circumstances beyond our control temporarily or permanently prevent performance of the assignment. In the event of force majeure, our obligations are suspended.
If the force majeure lasts longer than sixty days, either party may terminate the agreement in writing. The work performed up to that point will then be settled.
11. Intellectual property
All rights to profile descriptions, reports, advice, models and working methods drawn up by us remain with DDJ&.
The client is granted the right to use these within its own organisation and for the purpose for which they were prepared. Disclosure or provision to third parties only takes place with our prior consent.
We may also use the knowledge and experience we gain from an assignment for other assignments, provided that no confidential information is shared in doing so.
12. Complaints and disputes
Not satisfied with our work? Let us know as soon as possible, no later than 30 days after discovering the issue and in any case within twelve months of completion of the assignment.
Claims against DDJ& lapse twelve months after the client became aware, or could reasonably have become aware, of the damage.
In the event of a dispute, we will first seek a solution through mutual consultation, if necessary with the help of mediation, before bringing the dispute before a court.
13. Applicable law and competent court
Dutch law applies to every agreement.
Disputes will be submitted to the competent court of the Noord-Holland district court, without prejudice to either party's right to bring the matter before a court that has jurisdiction by law.
14. Final provisions
We may amend these terms. Amended terms apply to assignments entered into after the amendment.
If a provision of these terms is void or voidable, the remaining provisions continue to apply. The parties will then replace the relevant provision with a valid provision that most closely reflects its intended purpose.
These general terms and conditions were last updated on: 1 May 2026\.