Clear terms. No hidden expectations.
No retainers on standard briefs, no fee until your hire starts, and an 8-week rebate if it doesn't work out. Everything below is confirmed in the Terms of Business you countersign before we begin.
An arrangement suited to the brief.
- No fee until the candidate starts
- Shortlist within 10 working days
- 8-week sliding-scale rebate
- Role-specific candidate assessment included
- Single-agency brief for 30 days
- Priority shortlist within 7 working days
- Dedicated consultant and weekly pipeline call
- 8-week sliding-scale rebate
- Cohort assessment day run by Gateway
- Bespoke candidate assessment aligned to your product
- Quarterly market and comp benchmarking report
- 8-week sliding-scale rebate on every hire
All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT and calculated on first-year gross basic salary, excluding commission, bonus and benefits.
Payment begins when the appointment does.
- Fee trigger
- Candidate accepts the offer and commences employment
- Invoice raised
- On the Candidate's first working day
- Payment terms
- 14 days from invoice date, by bank transfer
- VAT
- Charged in addition at the prevailing rate
- Late payment
- Statutory interest under the Late Payment Act 1998
- Rebate period
- 8 weeks from start date, sliding scale
If the hire leaves within 8 weeks
Rebates exclude redundancy, restructure or role change, require written notice within 7 days of termination, and apply only where the invoice has been settled in full. A replacement search can be taken instead of a credit.
Terms of business at a glance.
1. Introduction and engagement
These terms apply when the Client accepts an Introduction from Gateway Recruitment Ltd ('Gateway'), whether by countersigning the Terms of Business, by interviewing an introduced Candidate, or by engaging a Candidate introduced by Gateway. An Introduction means the supply of a Candidate's details, CV or profile, in writing or verbally.
2. Fees and when they become payable
The Placement Fee is calculated as the applicable percentage of the Candidate's first-year gross basic salary, excluding commission, bonus, car allowance and benefits. The fee becomes payable when the Candidate accepts an offer of employment and commences work. Gateway issues its invoice on the Candidate's first working day.
3. Payment arrangements
Invoices are payable within 14 days of the invoice date by bank transfer to the account stated on the invoice. VAT is charged at the prevailing rate in addition to all fees. Gateway reserves the right to charge statutory interest and recovery costs under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 on any sum not paid by the due date.
4. Rebate period
If the Candidate's employment terminates within 8 weeks of the start date for any reason other than redundancy, restructure, change of role, or the Client's breach of the employment contract, Gateway will credit the Placement Fee on the sliding scale set out above. Rebates apply only where the invoice has been paid in full and where Gateway is notified in writing within 7 days of termination. Gateway will, at the Client's option, use reasonable endeavours to provide a replacement Candidate in place of a credit.
5. Changes to the role
If a Candidate is engaged in a different role or at a different salary to that originally briefed, the Placement Fee is recalculated against the actual first-year basic salary. If a Candidate introduced for one vacancy is engaged for another within 12 months of Introduction, the full Placement Fee applies.
6. Candidate information and confidentiality
Candidate details are supplied in confidence for the Client's internal recruitment purposes only, and must not be passed to any third party. If an onward introduction results in an engagement, the Client is liable for the full Placement Fee. Both parties agree to keep commercial terms confidential.
7. Client obligations
The Client is responsible for taking up references, verifying qualifications and confirming the Candidate's right to work in the United Kingdom, and for satisfying itself as to the Candidate's suitability. Gateway takes reasonable steps to verify information supplied by Candidates but gives no warranty as to its accuracy.
8. Data protection
Each party acts as an independent controller of Candidate personal data and will comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Candidate data supplied by Gateway must be processed only for assessing the Candidate for the relevant vacancy, and deleted when no longer required for that purpose or for the Client's lawful retention period.
9. Liability
Gateway's total liability arising from any Introduction is limited to the Placement Fee actually paid in respect of that Introduction. Gateway is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, or loss of business, however arising.
10. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Signature & acceptance
We issue the full Terms of Business as an e-signature document covering the fee tier agreed, the named signatory, company registration details and invoicing contact. The agreement takes effect on countersignature, or earlier if the Client interviews or engages an introduced Candidate.
This page is a plain-English summary for information only and does not itself form a contract. The signed Terms of Business prevails. Gateway Recruitment Ltd is not a law firm; clients should take their own legal advice before signing.