STOUTZ&CO RECRUITMENT LTD

CLIENT TERMS OF BUSINESS

Effective Date: 10/05/2026

These Terms of Business (“Terms”) apply between Stoutz&Co Recruitment Ltd (“the Agency”, “we”, “us”, “our”) and the client (“Client”, “you”, “your”) in relation to recruitment services provided by the Agency.

These Terms are deemed accepted upon:

• Requesting recruitment services;

• Receiving candidate information or CVs from the Agency;

• Interviewing a Candidate introduced by the Agency; or

• Engaging a Candidate introduced by the Agency.

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 Candidate

“Candidate” means any individual introduced by the Agency to the Client for permanent, temporary, contract or fixed-term employment opportunities.

1.2 Introduction

“Introduction” means:

a) The provision of a Candidate CV, profile or details by the Agency to the Client;

b) The arrangement of an interview between the Client and Candidate; or

c) Any direct or indirect communication identifying a Candidate to the Client.

1.3 Engagement

“Engagement” means the employment, hiring, contracting or engagement of a Candidate by the Client, directly or indirectly, in any capacity.

1.4 Placement Fee

“Placement Fee” means the fee payable by the Client to the Agency.

1.5 Shortlist Service

“Shortlist Service” means a fixed-fee recruitment service where the Agency provides a specified shortlist of Candidates to the Client.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Agency provides recruitment and candidate sourcing services across sectors including but not limited to:

• Engineering

• Finance

• Academic and SEN Recruitment

The Agency will use reasonable efforts to source and introduce suitable Candidates based on the information provided by the Client.

3. CANDIDATE INTRODUCTIONS

3.1

A Candidate shall be deemed Introduced once the Agency has provided the Candidate’s CV, profile or identifying information to the Client.

3.2

Introductions remain the property of the Agency for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of Introduction.

3.3

The Client agrees that an Introduction applies where a Candidate is engaged:

• Directly or indirectly;

• Through another business or intermediary;

• Through another office, branch or group company; or

• In a different role than originally discussed.

3.4

If the same Candidate is submitted by multiple recruitment agencies, ownership shall belong to the agency that first introduced the Candidate to the Client, provided evidence of Introduction can be reasonably demonstrated.

3.5

Where discussions, interviews, negotiations or communications with an introduced Candidate commenced during the Introduction protection period, the Placement Fee shall remain payable even if Engagement occurs after the twelve (12) month protection period.

3.6

If the Client believes it has previously engaged with or received details of an introduced Candidate prior to the Agency’s Introduction, the Client must notify the Agency in writing within five (5) business days of the Introduction and provide reasonable evidence of prior knowledge.

4. CANDIDATE CONSENT

The Agency will use reasonable efforts to ensure that Candidates have consented to:

• Being represented by the Agency; and

• Their CV or profile being submitted to the Client for relevant opportunities.

5. FEES

5.1 Permanent Recruitment Fees

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, permanent placement fees are calculated as a percentage of the Candidate’s agreed first-year gross basic salary:

Role LevelFee

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Junior and Support Roles15%

Mid-Level Professional Roles18%

Senior, Specialist or Hard-to-Fill Roles20%

The applicable fee category shall be determined by the Agency based on the seniority, complexity and market conditions of the vacancy.

5.2 Fixed-Fee Search and Shortlist Services

Where the Client purchases a fixed-fee search or shortlist package, the following terms shall apply unless otherwise agreed in writing:

a) The Agency shall conduct a recruitment search and provide up to three (3) shortlisted Candidates for the agreed vacancy.

b) A fixed search fee of £1,000 plus VAT shall become payable upon commencement of the search assignment unless otherwise agreed in writing.

c) Where none of the initial shortlisted Candidates are hired, the Agency shall conduct one additional search and provide up to two (2) further shortlisted Candidates at no additional search fee.

d) Where the Client engages a Candidate introduced through the fixed-fee search service, an additional placement fee of £1,000 plus VAT shall become payable upon Engagement.

e) Fixed search fees are non-refundable once candidate sourcing activities have commenced.

f) Candidate ownership and Introduction protection periods under these Terms shall continue to apply to all Candidates introduced under fixed-fee search services.

5.3 Free Recruitment Offers

Where the Agency agrees to provide free or discounted recruitment services:

• Ownership of introduced Candidates remains with the Agency; and

• If the Client engages a Candidate introduced by the Agency within twelve (12) months of Introduction, the Agency’s standard Placement Fee shall become payable unless otherwise agreed in writing.

5.4 VAT

All fees are exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.

6. PAYMENT TERMS

6.1

Invoices are payable within fourteen (14) calendar days from the invoice date unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6.2

Late payments may incur:

• Statutory interest;

• Debt recovery costs; and

• Suspension of further recruitment services.

6.3

Any invoice disputes or queries must be raised within seven (7) calendar days of the invoice date.

7. REBATES AND REPLACEMENTS

 

7.1 Rebate Structure

Candidate Leaves Within Rebate

0–30 Days100%

31–60 Days50%

61 and on, no rebate

Subject to all invoices being paid on time.

 

7.2 Rebates Do Not Apply Where:

• The Candidate is made redundant;

• The Client materially changes the role;

• The Candidate leaves due to misconduct or breach by the Client; or

• Invoices remain unpaid.

7.3

The Agency may offer a replacement Candidate instead of a financial rebate.

7.4

Any rebate or replacement offered under these Terms shall constitute the Client’s sole and exclusive financial remedy in relation to Candidate suitability or early termination of employment.

8. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Client agrees to:

• Provide accurate vacancy information;

• Conduct its own suitability assessments;

• Verify references, qualifications, licences, certifications and right-to-work status where required; and

• Notify the Agency immediately upon Engagement of an introduced Candidate.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY

Candidate information supplied by the Agency is confidential.

The Client shall not:

• Share Candidate CVs externally without consent;

• Circulate Candidate details to third parties; or

• Use Candidate information for purposes unrelated to recruitment.

10. NON-CIRCUMVENTION

The Client agrees not to circumvent the Agency by directly or indirectly engaging introduced Candidates without payment of the applicable Placement Fee.

Where an introduced Candidate is engaged within twelve (12) months of Introduction, the Placement Fee remains payable.

11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

The Agency makes reasonable efforts to assess Candidate suitability but does not guarantee:

• Candidate performance;

• Qualifications;

• Experience accuracy;

• Future conduct; or

• Employment outcomes.

The Client remains responsible for all hiring decisions.

The Agency shall not be liable where a Candidate withdraws from a recruitment process, declines an offer of employment, or terminates employment after commencement of employment.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Agency shall not be liable for:

• Indirect or consequential losses;

• Loss of profits;

• Business interruption; or

• Candidate actions or omissions.

12. DATA PROTECTION

Both Parties agree to comply with applicable UK GDPR and data protection legislation.

The Client agrees to handle Candidate information securely and only for legitimate recruitment purposes.

13. NON-EXCLUSIVITY

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing:

• The Agency acts on a non-exclusive basis;

• The Client may engage other recruitment agencies; and

• The Agency may provide services to other clients.

 

14. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Client agrees that all recruitment and hiring decisions shall comply with applicable equality, anti-discrimination and employment legislation.

 

15. FORCE MAJEURE

The Agency shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, internet outages, strikes, government actions, pandemics or technical failures.

 

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the Parties and supersede any prior discussions, representations or understandings relating to recruitment services unless confirmed in writing.

 

17. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

18. ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE

These Terms may be accepted electronically, including by email correspondence, continued engagement with the Agency, interviewing introduced Candidates, or receiving Candidate information.

 

19. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising under these Terms.

 

20. CONTACT DETAILS

Stoutz&Co Recruitment Ltd
1-11 Alvin Street Gloucester GL1 3EJ
Company No. 17224626
INFO.STOUTZANDCO.CO.UKwww.stoutzandco.co.uk

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