Terms of Business
Last updated 31 July 2026
This page sets out the commercial terms a recruitment agency would typically publish. It is placeholder structure, not legal advice. Replace it with your own terms, reviewed by a solicitor, before you go live.
Scope
These terms apply to the introduction of candidates for permanent, fixed-term, contract and temporary engagements. Replace with your own definitions and scope.
Fees
State your contingency percentage, retained fee structure and stage payments, and how fees are calculated on first-year basic salary or day rate. Set out when invoices fall due.
Rebate period
State your sliding rebate scale and the conditions attached to it, including notification periods and whether the rebate is a credit or a refund.
Introductions and liability
Define what constitutes an introduction, how long an introduction remains chargeable, and what happens if a candidate is introduced by more than one agency.
Contractor engagements
Set out payroll arrangements, timesheet and invoicing cycles, IR35 determination responsibilities and margin transparency.
Right to work and compliance
Describe the checks you carry out, what evidence you retain, and where responsibility sits between agency and client.
Confidentiality and data protection
Cover confidential information, candidate data handling and the data-sharing relationship between the parties.
Governing law
State the governing law and jurisdiction. For a UK and Ireland firm you may need separate wording for each.