Section 3: Duration of the contract

Perpetual commitments are prohibited. Each contracting party may terminate them under the conditions laid down for open-ended contracts.

Where the contract is concluded for an indefinite period, either party may terminate it at any time, subject to compliance with the contractual notice period or, failing this, a reasonable period.

Where the contract is concluded for a fixed term, each party must perform it until its term. No one may require renewal of the contract.

The contract may be extended if the contracting parties so wish before it expires. The extension may not prejudice the rights of third parties.

A fixed-term contract may be renewed by operation of law or by agreement of the parties. Renewal gives rise to a new contract whose content is identical to the previous one but whose duration is indefinite.

When, on expiry of the term of a fixed-term contract, the contracting parties continue to perform their obligations under the contract, the contract is tacitly renewed. This has the same effect as renewal of the contract.