Contract

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D/s contracts are a way of defining the nature and limits of a relationship and are not intended to carry legal force.

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This kind of contract is a controversial area of the D/s lifestyle. Some like the additional structure and surety it provides, some feel it is too cold and restrictive.

Legality

Note that the kind of contract discussed here has no legal standing: they are only an agreement between consenting people.

Slave contracts are rarely legally binding and in some countries, the possession of a Master/slave contract may be illegal. For this reason, it is advisable to either start such a contract with a statement that no legal intent is implied or intended, or to have the contract checked out by a qualified legal adviser.

There are some contracts that may assist in formalising, enacting or enabling of a Master/slave relationship which might, individually, be legal but they are not discussed here.

Period

Slave contracts are sometimes negotiated for a specific period of time — such as one year but longer and shorter terms are possible — while others are lifetime contracts. Where the contract is in effect continuously, the relationship may be referred to as "24/7". The limits of the slave contract can vary widely and extend into various areas of BDSM and otherwise vanilla life.

People usually only enter into a Master/slave contract after they have known and played with each other for some time, often several years. Sometimes a contract is used to initiate a relationship.

Styles of contract

For those who feel that writing down the contractual obligations of the partners can help their power exchange relationship, there are three main ways to consider doing this that have worked for other people. There are other ways to do it of course but none that have proven themselves over a long period of time.

Single stage (simple) contract

Laying out the obligations and duties on both sides. This defines the balance of power exchange at the time and leaves open any decrease or increase in power exchange, though it might refer to an intent.

Time-controlled, or staged, contract

This defines the obligations and duties each will assume at certain points along their agreed path. Normally, the defined level of power exchange starts as a simple structured definition of the relationship at the time. The contract specifies the furthest level of power exchange the parties think they could ever be comfortable with and what the duties and obligations shall be at that time. In between are a number of stages, normally between two and four, with each step mapped out. The level of power exchange is normally increased over time, though I am aware of one where the final stage was a required dissolution of the relationship. The timing of when the contractual stages come into force are not usually in the contract. Instead, it is up to the submissive(s) to state to the dominant that they are ready for the next stage (thus giving consent) and for the dominant to then inform the submissive when the next stage will come into effect (thus retaining control).

Several contracts used in stages

Defining stages of power exchange over time. The series of staged contracts can be written out in a similar way to having a single, time-controlled contract but normally the final stage is not so well defined, if at all. Each time a contract is agreed, the NEXT contract is prepared, so that both parties not only know the level of power exchange they must meet now, at a minimum, but (as with the single time-controlled contract) understand the objective for the next stage and so will strive to meet it. Normally, only when the parties are happy they are actually living the contract for the next stage, will they both then adopt it, after discussion and drawing up a further contract or deciding that they have gone as far as they wish down the path of power exchange.

Common Clauses

There are many sample contracts available on the Internet. There is probably not one of them that should be used as-is for a long-term, real-life relationship. When drawing up a personal contact, a couple might want to consider:

Health
The obligations to ensure, or improve, the health of oneself and of the partner.
Safety
What safeguards are put in place for the slave, both during the relationship and upon demise of the relationship or of the owner.
Sexuality
To who or what, as well as when and how, is the slave to be available.
Openness
Is the nature of the relationship to be discreet or open and obvious to the public, work colleagues, family etc.
Dependants
What provisions are made for any dependants, either existing or created.
Discipline
The nature and extent of control and the means (if restricted in any way) for the owner to enforce the control.
Finance
How pre-existing wealth, as well as income subsequent to the contract, are to be handled.

Celebration

Once a slave contract has gone through it's various drafts and is finally agreed upon, some celebrate the event with a "collaring ceremony", in which the local D/s community is invited to witness the commitment made in the document. Some ceremonies become quite elaborate, and can be as involved as a wedding or any similar ritual.

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