BUSINESS TERMS

1. Basis of Charging

1.1   We generally charge on the basis of an hourly rate. We charge by the hour and tenths of an hour up to a maximum of 8 hours per day.

1.2  Travel in office hours is charged at half rate. We do not charge for travel out of office hours.

1.3  We charge disbursements such as travel expenses, photocopying and communications at cost.

1.4  We can undertake work on a fixed cost, lump sum, retainer or project basis for our fees and we are happy to discuss these arrangements with clients. We can work under a combination of hourly rate and fixed cost for discrete aspects of an assignment.

1.5  We aim to meet or exceed our clients’ expectations by providing a value for money service. We are happy to discuss alternative fee arrangements based on success or milestone criteria set by the client in a particular matter. We regret we cannot undertake contingency fee work.

1.6  Our fees and disbursements are billed in Pounds Sterling.

2. Payment of Fees & Disbursements

2.1  We do not ask for money on account. However, we are a small enterprise and so we ask that our disbursements are paid on presentation and our fee invoices promptly and in any event within 30 days of presentation.

2.2  We prefer to bill small and regularly. We will discuss and agree with the client the level of our fees before we render our invoice.

2.3  Prior to invoicing we will confirm with the client the full style of the paying party and the type and amount of information required in our invoice.

3. Travel & Accommodation

3.1  All travel expenses are billed to the client at cost. We generally fly business class for comfort and flexibility and use modest business class accommodation with reasonable communications.

3.2  We bill foreign currency expenditure to clients in the Sterling equivalent.

4. Acceptance of Instructions

4.1  We are independent consultants and are free to accept instructions from any party unless we are already acting in relation to the same matter. Instructions are accepted on a “first come, first served" basis.

4.2  If for any reason we consider we will be unable to provide a satisfactory level of service on a particular matter or will be unable to complete work within the required time frame we will decline the instruction.

5. Undertaking Work

5.1  Unless specifically instructed to do so we will not sub-contract work or substitute the work provider.

5.2  We will establish at the outset the nature of the work, the extent of our authority and the work product required and will confirm our understanding in writing as soon as practicable.

5.3  We will agree with the client the frequency and modes of reporting.

5.4  We will give our best estimate of the time and costs involved in a given instruction once we have confirmed our understanding of the instruction and will use our best endeavours to complete the work in line with our estimates. Such estimates are not guarantees and are not to be taken as any guarantee or warranty whatsoever.

6. Retention of Documents

6.1  The client agrees that we may retain for our personal use and reference, copies of documents provided to us in relation to a specific matter or instruction. Any such documents will remain confidential.