Terms & Conditions
1 INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the singular include the plural and references to the masculine include the feminine, and vice versa.
1.2 The headings contained in the Agreement are for convenience only and do not affect their interpretation. “Client” means the person, firm or corporate body together with any subsidiary or associated company as defined by the Companies Act 1985 requiring the services of the Consultancy and identified in the attached schedule.
2 CONSULTANCY
2.1 The Consultancy's obligation to provide the Consultancy Services shall be performed by one or more employees of the Consultancy as the Consultancy may consider appropriate (“the Staff”), but shall be project led by the individual identified in the Confirmation Note.
2.2 The Consultancy has the right, at its own expense, to enlist additional or substitute Staff in the performance of the Consultancy Services or may, sub-contract all or part of the Consultancy Services, provided that the consultancy provides details, whenever practicable, of the proposed substitute or sub-contractor ahead of the planned substitution and subject to the Client being reasonably satisfied that such additional Staff or any such sub-contractor has the required skills, qualifications, resources and personnel to provide the Consultancy Services to the required standard.
2.3 Where the Consultancy provides a substitute or sub-contracts all or part of the Consultancy Services pursuant to clause 2.2 above, the Consultancy shall be responsible for paying the substitute or sub-contractor and shall ensure that any agreement between the Consultancy and any such substitute or sub-contractor shall contain obligations which correspond to the obligations of the Consultancy under the terms of this Agreement and the Consultancy shall remain responsible for the acts or omissions of any such substitute or sub-contractor.
2.4 The Consultancy shall take all reasonable steps to avoid any unplanned changes of Staff assigned to the performance of the Consultancy Services but if the Consultancy is unable for any reason to perform the Consultancy Services the Consultancy should inform the Client on the first day of unavailability and in such case shall provide a substitute subject to the provisions of clause 2.2
2.5 Due to the specialised nature of the work there may be a lengthy learning process for any Staff prior to becoming familiar with the work. As a result where substitute or additional staff are provided or where the performance of all or part of the Consultancy Services is sub-contracted, the Consultancy shall provide wherever possible, at its own expense, (it being accepted by the parties that it would not be possible in circumstances provided for pursuant to clause 2.3 above), an overlap period for such substitute or additional Staff or any such subcontractor.
2.6 In the event that the Consultancy is unable to supply either the original personnel or acceptable substitutes or sub-contractors then the Client is entitled to cancel this Agreement forthwith.
2.7 The attached schedule shall specify the Client, the fee payable by the Client and such disbursements as may be agreed and any other relevant information.
2.8 Save as otherwise stated in this Agreement, the Client acknowledges and accepts that the Consultancy is in business on its own account and the Consultancy shall be entitled to seek, apply for, accept and perform contracts to supply its services to any third party during the term of this Agreement provided that this in no way compromises or is to the detriment to the performance of the Consultancy Services.
3 THE CONTRACT
3.1 This Agreement constitutes the contract between the Client and the Consultancy and governs the performance of the Consultancy Services by the Consultancy for the Client.
3.2 The Consultancy shall not be required to provide any advice and assistance in addition to the Consultancy Services and any requests to provide such additional advice and assistance shall be subject to the prior approval of the Consultancy and agreement between the Consultancy and the Client as to the level of fees payable for such additional advice and assistance. In the event that such additional advice and assistance is agreed, the Consultancy must notify the Client of the terms upon which such services will be provided including details of any new fee arrangements in order that the fee arrangement between the Consultancy and Client as set out in the Confirmation Note may be adjusted accordingly.
3.3 No variation or alteration of these terms shall be valid unless approved by the Client and the Consultancy in writing except where changes to the Consultancy Services are necessary to comply with applicable safety and other statutory requirements, in which case the Consultancy may make such necessary changes without prior notification to the Client.
3.4 A person who is not a party to this Agreement has a right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement in addition to any right or remedy which exists or is available apart from that Act.
4 UNDERTAKING OF THE CONSULTANCY
4.1 The Consultancy warrants to the Client that by entering into and performing its obligations under this Agreement it will not thereby be in breach of any obligation which it owes to any third party.
4.2 The Consultancy warrants to the Client that its Staff and any substitutes or sub-contractors will carry out the Consultancy Services with reasonable skill and care and as far as possible in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and any other timetables or other targets agreed.
5 TRAINING
5.1 The Consultancy warrants to the Client that its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors used in accordance with the terms of this contract have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the Consultancy Services.
6 CONSULTANT’S OBLIGATION
6.1 The Consultancy agrees on its own part and on behalf of its Staff and any substitutes and subcontractors used in accordance with the terms of this contract as follows:-
6.1.1 Not to engage in any conduct detrimental to the interests of the Client which includes any conduct tending to bring the Client into disrepute or which results in the loss of custom or business.
6.1.2 To comply with any statutory rules or regulations including but not limited to those relating to health and safety, together with such procedures of the Client as the Client notifies the Consultancy and/or its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors that it is essential that the Consultancy and its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors comply with to properly perform the Services during the performance of the Consultancy Services. Subject to the rules and regulations which the Client notifies the Consultancy and/or its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors that it is essential that the Consultancy and its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors comply with the Consultancy and its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors shall not be bound by the policies and procedures which an employee of the Client would be bound by.
6.1.3 To furnish the Client with any progress reports as may be requested from time to time.
6.1.4 To notify the Client forthwith in writing if it should become insolvent, dissolved or subject to a winding-up petition.
7 EQUIPMENT
7.1 The Consultancy shall provide at its own cost all such necessary equipment as is reasonable for the satisfactory performance by the Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors of the Consultancy Services.
7.2 If as a matter of convenience, the consultancy is provided with equipment by the Client or Client for the purposes of an Assignment, the Consultancy shall be responsible for ensuring that they preserve the security and condition of such equipment. If and to the extent that any equipment is lost while in the Consultancy’s possession, the Consultancy shall be responsible for the cost of any necessary repairs or replacement.
8 METHOD OF PERFORMING SERVICES
8.1 The Consultancy’s personnel are professionals who will use their own initiative as to the manner in which the Services are delivered provided that in doing so the Consultancy shall co-operate with the Client and comply with all reasonable and lawful instructions of the Client.
8.2 The Consultancy may provide the Consultancy Services at such times and on such days as the Consultancy shall decide but shall ensure that the Consultancy provides the Consultancy Services on such days and at such times as are necessary for the proper performance of the Consultancy Services.
8.3 The relationship between the parties is between independent companies acting at arm’s length and nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as constituting or establishing any partnership or joint venture or relationship of employer and employee between the parties or their personnel.
8.4 Where the proper performance of the Consultancy Services is dependent on the completion of tasks or services by third parties (including employees of the Client but excluding any substitute or sub-contractor of the Consultancy), the Consultancy shall have no liability to the Client for any delay, non or partial performance of the Consultancy Services arising from the delay or non or partial performance of such tasks by third parties.
8.5 The Consultancy may provide the Consultancy Services from such locations as are appropriate in the Consultancy’s judgment. When necessary the Client will provide the Consultancy with appropriate access to the client’s facilities as is necessary for the effective conduct of the Consultancy Services
9 INVOICING
9.1 As agreed and specified in the attached schedule, the Consultancy shall deliver to the Client its invoice for the amount due from the Client to the Consultancy. The Consultancy’s invoice should bear the Consultancy’s name, company registration number and should state any VAT due on the invoice.
9.2 The Client shall not be obliged to pay any fees to the Consultancy unless an invoice has been properly submitted by the Consultancy in accordance with sub-clause 9.1 of this Agreement. Furthermore, the client shall not be obliged to pay the balance due under this agreement until the Client has verified the execution of the Consultancy Services, where such verification has not been unreasonably delayed.
10 FEES
10.1 Subject to the receipt of the Consultancy’s invoice in accordance with clause 9 above and verification by the Client of execution of the Consultancy Services in accordance with sub-clause 9.2 above, the Consultancy will receive payment from the Client for the Consultancy Services in accordance with the fee specified in the attached schedule, plus VAT to be shown separately where appropriate.
10.2 The Consultancy shall be responsible for any PAYE Income Tax and National Insurance
Contributions and any other taxes and deductions payable in respect of its Staff in respect of the Consultancy Services.
10.3 All payments will be made to the Consultancy.
10.4 If the Consultancy shall be unable for any reason to provide the Consultancy Services to the Client, all fees received by the consultancy shall be refunded in full to the Client upon written request. Remittance of such a refund must take place within a maximum of 14 days from the date of request.
11 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT
11.1 Throughout the term of this Agreement the Client shall pay the Consultant the agreed fee in accordance with clause 10.1 above.
11.2 The Client shall furnish the Consultancy with sufficient information about the Consultancy Services in order for the Consultancy to arrange for the Consultancy Services to be carried out.
11.3 The Client will advise the Consultancy of any health & safety information or advice which it receives from the Client which may affect the Consultancy’s Staff during the performance of the Consultancy Services.
12 TERM OF THE AGREEMENT
12.1 This Agreement shall commence in accordance with the attached schedule and shall either continue until completion of the Consultancy Services to the reasonable satisfaction of the Client, or the contract be terminated early by the Client or Consultancy upon giving the required notice as set out in the attached schedule.
12.2 Notwithstanding sub-clause 12.1 of this Agreement, the Client may at any time with one week’s notice instruct the Consultancy to cease work on the Consultancy Services, or at any time without notice and without liability require the Consultancy to cease work on the Consultancy Services, where:
12.2.1 The Consultancy (or its substitutes and sub-contractors) has committed any serious or persistent breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement;
12.2.2 The Client reasonably believes that the Consultancy (or its substitutes and sub-contractors) has not observed any condition of confidentiality applicable to the Consultancy from time to time; or
12.2.3 The Consultancy (or its substitutes and sub-contractors) proves, in the reasonable opinion of the Client, unsatisfactory to the Client including while performing the Consultancy Services acting in breach of any statutory obligations or acting in breach of such procedures of the Client as the Client notifies the Consultancy and/or its Staff that it is essential that the Consultancy and its Staff comply with to properly perform the Services;
12.2.4 If the performance of the Consultancy Services is prevented by the incapacity of the Staff and the Consultancy is unable to provide a replacement member of Staff or a suitable substitute or sub-contractor pursuant to the provisions of clause 2.2.
12.2.5 The Consultancy becomes insolvent, dissolved or subject to a winding-up petition;
12.2.6 Any member of the Consultancy (or its substitutes and sub-contractors) is guilty of any fraud, dishonesty or serious misconduct.
AND the provisions of this clause 12.2 shall equally apply to any party performing the Consultancy’s obligations as provided for in clause 2.
12.3 Notwithstanding sub-clause 12.1 of this Agreement the Consultancy may terminate the contract if the Client has committed any serious or persistent breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Client becomes insolvent, dissolved or subject to a winding-up petition.
13 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
13.1 The Consultancy acknowledges that all copyright, trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights deriving from the Consultancy Services shall belong to the client, including any documents or other works prepared by the consultancy its staff and any substitutes and subcontractors. Accordingly, the Consultancy shall (and shall procure that any relevant member of its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors) execute all such documents and do all such acts at its own cost as the Client shall from time to time require in order to give effect to its rights pursuant to this clause.
14 CONFIDENTIALITY
14.1 In order to protect the confidentiality and trade secrets of any Client and without prejudice to every other duty to keep secret all information given to it or gained in confidence the Consultancy agrees on its own part and on behalf of its Staff and any substitutes and sub-contractors used in accordance with the terms of this contract as follows:-
14.1.1 Not at any time whether during or after the performance of the Consultancy Services (unless expressly so authorised by the Client as a necessary part of the performance of its duties) to disclose to any person or to make use of any of the trade secrets or confidential information of the Client
14.1.2 To deliver up to the Client (as directed) at the end of the Assignment all documents and other materials belonging to the Client (and all copies) which are in its possession including documents and other materials created by it or the Staff during the course of the Assignment;
14.1.3 Not at any time to make any copy, abstract, summary or précis of the whole or any part of any document or other material belonging to the Client except when required to do so in the course of its duties under the Assignment in which event any such item shall belong to the Client or the as appropriate.
14.2 The Consultancy shall procure and ensure that the provisions of this clause 14 shall also apply to any subcontractor performing the Consultancy’s obligations provided for in clause 2.
15 COMPUTER EQUIPMENT WARRANTY
15.1 The Consultancy warrants to the Client that any computer equipment and associated software which it provides to its Staff for the purpose of providing the Consultancy Services contains anti-virus protection with the latest released upgrade from time to time, and the Consultancy shall procure that the provisions of this clause shall also apply to any computer equipment and associated software provided by any subcontractor of this Agreement.
16 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CLIENT AND CONSULTANCY
16.1 The Consultancy acknowledges that there is no intention on the part of the Consultancy, its staff, substitutes or sub-contractors or the Client to create an employment relationship between any of those parties and that the responsibility of complying with all statutory and legal requirements relating to the Staff of the Consultancy (including but not limited to the payment of taxation, maternity payments and statutory sick pay) shall fall upon and be discharged wholly and exclusively by the Consultancy. In the event that any person should seek to establish any liability or obligation upon the and/or the Client on the grounds that the staff are an employee of the Client, the Consultancy shall upon demand indemnify the Client and keep them indemnified in respect of any such liability or obligation and any related costs expenses or other losses which the Client shall incur.
16.2 The Consultancy shall be responsible for all obligations arising under or in connection with, the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 in connection with the Staff.
16.3 The Client is under no obligation to offer work to the Contractor and the Contractor is under no obligation to accept any work that may be offered by the Client. Neither party wishes to create or imply any mutuality of obligation between themselves either in the course of, or between, any performance of Service under the Agreement.
17 NOTICES
17.1 All notices which are required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent to the registered office from time to time of the party upon whom the notice is to be served. Any such notice may be delivered personally or by first-class prepaid post or by e-mail and shall be deemed to have been served if by hand when delivered, if by first class post 72 hours and if by e-mail when dispatched.
18 LIABILITY
18.1 The Consultancy shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury to any party (including any loss, damage or liability incurred by the whether under its agreement with the Client or otherwise) resulting from the acts or omissions of the Consultancy or its Staff (including substitute or replacement Staff) or from the acts or omission of any sub-contractor to whom the Consultancy sub-contracts the performance of the Consultancy Services whether or not such act or omission constitutes a breach of this Agreement and the Consultancy shall indemnify and keep indemnified any such party including, without limitation to the foregoing, the Client against any such loss, damage or injury provided that the total aggregate liability of the Consultancy shall not exceed in the case of liability covered by professional indemnity insurance £5,000,000.
18.2 The Consultancy shall ensure the provision of adequate insurance to cover the risk of a claim against the Consultancy (or its Staff or any sub-contractor) whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (including clause 19.1) or otherwise (including without limitation Employer’s Liability Insurance, Public Liability Insurance and any other suitable policies of insurance such as Professional Indemnity insurance in respect of the Consultancy and its Staff or any sub-contractor). The Consultancy shall note the interest of the Client with regard to all such policies of insurances and shall make a copy of all such policies available to the Client upon request.
18.3 The Consultancy shall be liable for any defects arising as a result of the provision of the Consultancy Services and the Consultancy shall rectify at its own cost such notified defects as may be capable of remedy.
19 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
19.1 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England & Wales and all disputes, claims or proceedings between the parties relating to the validity, construction or performance of this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England & Wales.
20 ILLEGALITY
20.1 If any provision or term of this Agreement shall become or be declared illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever including, but without limitation, by reason of the provisions of any legislation or other provisions having the force of law or by reason of any decision of any Court or other body or authority having jurisdiction over the parties of this Agreement such terms or provisions shall be divisible from this Agreement and shall be deemed to be deleted from this Agreement and the remainder of the provisions shall continue in full force and effect provided always that if any such deletion substantially affects or alters the commercial basis of this Agreement the parties shall negotiate in good faith to amend the modify the provisions and terms of this Agreement as necessary or desirable in the circumstances.
21 ENTIRE AGREEMENT
21.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof.
22 FORCE MAJEURE
22.1 The Consultancy shall not be liable for any breaches of its obligations under this Agreement resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control including but not limited to Acts of God, enemy, fire, flood, explosion or other catastrophe.
22.2 The Consultancy accepts that the Client shall not be liable for any breaches of its obligations to the Consultancy under its agreement with the Client resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control including but not limited to Acts of God, enemy, fire, flood, explosion or other catastrophe