Terms of engagement

No work is carried out before an engagement letter setting out scope, method, deliverable, fee basis and limitations has been signed. The initial consultation and assessment are free and carry no obligation. See how an engagement runs.

The fee is a percentage of funds actually returned to you, between 3% and 10% depending on the complexity of the work, agreed in writing before the engagement begins. There is no retainer, no hourly billing and no upfront cost, and payment falls due only after funds have reached your bank account. If nothing is recovered, nothing is owed.

Third-party disbursements — court fees, licensed data, translation and counsel — are not covered by the percentage and are charged separately, at cost. If a disbursement has to be paid before recovered funds are available, that will be agreed with you in writing before the cost is incurred.

I accept referral commissions from law firms where I introduce a client. See how an engagement runs for the disclosure.

This practice does not hold or transmit client funds, does not provide legal or investment advice, does not contact suspects or counterparties on your behalf, and never requires your private keys or seed phrase. No outcome is guaranteed; what is warranted is method and diligence. The full statement is on the scope page.

The deliverable for each matter is agreed before work begins. It may include a written report, transaction schedules, address schedules, exhibits, methodology notes and limitation notes. Reports distinguish observation from inference and state the basis for attribution where attribution is made.

Case material is not shared with other clients, joined to a consolidated file, or published as a case note without the written consent of every person involved.

Before work begins, you may be asked to provide information needed to confirm your identity, your authority to instruct, the source of the material you provide and the lawful purpose for which the report will be used. Work may be refused or stopped if the instruction cannot be carried out lawfully or safely.

Tracing can identify movements of assets and possible points of recovery, but it cannot guarantee that an exchange, court, investigator, law-enforcement agency or counterparty will act. Recovery depends on evidence, timing, jurisdiction, legal process and the conduct of third parties.

Last updated: 10 August 2026.