Terms of engagement
This page is a summary only. The binding terms are those in the engagement letter signed before any work begins. The clauses below marked as unfinished must be drafted or reviewed by a qualified adviser before publication.
What is agreed before work starts
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.
Fees
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.
I accept referral commissions from law firms where I introduce a client. See how an engagement runs for the disclosure.
State when disbursements fall due — in advance, or out of recovered funds. This must match the Process page.
Limits of the service
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.
Liability
Limitation of liability, the cap and its relationship to the professional indemnity policy limit, and any exclusions. Specialist review required.
Confidentiality and consent
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.
Confidentiality obligations, permitted disclosures to law enforcement and to instructed solicitors, and the consent mechanism used when a matter is joined to a group file.
Governing law and dispute resolution
Governing law, jurisdiction for disputes, and any complaints or arbitration procedure.
Anti-money-laundering and client identification
Client due diligence and source-of-funds requirements, the identification documents required, and any regulatory reporting obligations that apply to this practice.
Last updated: date of the published version