VeriTrace Intelligence Limited
Terms Of Business
Governing law: England and Wales
Introduction
These Terms of Business set out the basis on which VeriTrace Intelligence Limited (“VeriTrace”, “we”, “us” or “our”) provides intelligence research, due diligence, investigative research and risk advisory services.
They apply to engagements accepted by VeriTrace, together with any agreed proposal, engagement letter or statement of work.
Each engagement will identify the services to be provided, the agreed deliverables, applicable fees and any specific conditions.
Where an engagement document expressly conflicts with these Terms, the agreed engagement-specific provisions will take precedence to the extent of that conflict.
Our Services
VeriTrace provides independent, research-led intelligence and advisory services, including:
Corporate and counterparty intelligence.
Background checks and due diligence.
Fraud and scam investigations.
Threat and risk intelligence.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) research.
Litigation and investigative research support.
Humanitarian and organisational risk intelligence.
Our work uses publicly available information and other information lawfully obtained, assessed through structured research and professional analytical judgement.
VeriTrace does not undertake unlawful surveillance, unauthorised access to systems, unlawful acquisition of personal information or activities requiring regulatory authorisation that it does not hold.
The precise scope of each engagement will be agreed in writing.
Accepting an Engagement
An engagement begins when VeriTrace accepts the client's written instructions or proposal and any agreed preliminary requirements have been satisfied.
VeriTrace reserves the right to decline an instruction where the purpose, scope or circumstances raise legal, ethical, regulatory or reputational concerns.
We may request additional information to establish the client's identity, the intended purpose of the research and the lawful basis for the proposed activity.
Fees and Payment
Unless otherwise agreed in writing:
A deposit of 50% of the agreed professional fee is payable upon acceptance of the engagement.
The remaining 50% is payable upon delivery of the final agreed report or deliverable.
Final invoices are payable within 14 calendar days of the invoice date.
VeriTrace is not UK VAT registered and does not charge UK VAT.
Third-party expenses and disbursements require prior agreement unless expressly included in the proposal.
For business clients, statutory interest and recovery costs may apply to qualifying overdue payments under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
Any different payment arrangements will be confirmed in writing before work begins.
Delivery and Timelines
VeriTrace will use reasonable care and skill in performing its services.
Estimated delivery dates depend on the scope and complexity of the engagement, the availability of relevant information and any necessary third-party cooperation.
We will inform the client of material delays and, where appropriate, agree revised delivery arrangements.
VeriTrace cannot guarantee that every requested item of information will be available, independently verifiable or capable of lawful collection.
Client Responsibilities
Clients must provide accurate instructions and relevant information reasonably required to complete an engagement.
Clients must not commission research for unlawful, discriminatory, harassing or otherwise improper purposes.
Where personal data is involved, each party must comply with its own applicable data protection obligations.
The client must not use VeriTrace reports or findings to facilitate unlawful conduct.
VeriTrace may suspend or terminate work where there are reasonable grounds to believe that an engagement involves unlawful activity or a material breach of these Terms.
Intelligence Reports and Findings
VeriTrace reports reflect information reasonably available and assessed at the time the research was conducted.
We seek to distinguish verified information, reported allegations, analytical assessments and matters that remain uncertain.
Where appropriate, findings may include source-reliability assessments, confidence levels and relevant limitations.
Intelligence findings do not constitute a guarantee of future behaviour, financial performance, legal outcomes or the completeness of all available information.
Reports are prepared for the agreed purpose of the engagement and should be interpreted in that context.
Unless expressly agreed, VeriTrace does not provide regulated legal, financial or investment advice.
Use and Distribution of Reports
Reports and other deliverables are provided for the client's agreed use.
The client must not materially alter a report in a manner that misrepresents VeriTrace's findings.
Disclosure to third parties, publication and reliance by persons other than the client are subject to the terms agreed for the engagement.
Any intellectual property ownership, permitted use, confidentiality restrictions and third-party reliance arrangements should be specified in the relevant engagement documentation.
Confidentiality
Both parties will take reasonable steps to protect confidential information obtained through an engagement.
Confidential information may be disclosed where required by law, regulation or a competent authority, or where disclosure is otherwise authorised under the engagement.
Confidentiality obligations do not apply to information that is lawfully in the public domain or independently obtained without breach of an obligation of confidence.
VeriTrace will apply appropriate organisational and technical safeguards to confidential client information.
Data Protection
VeriTrace processes personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The parties will determine their respective data protection roles and responsibilities in relation to each engagement.
Where necessary, appropriate contractual arrangements will be established for processing personal data.
Further information about VeriTrace's handling of personal information is available in its Privacy Notice.
Liability and Professional Responsibility
VeriTrace will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing its services.
The parties acknowledge that intelligence research may involve incomplete, conflicting or time-sensitive information.
The allocation of liability, any financial limitation of liability, permitted exclusions and applicable exceptions will be governed by the liability provisions agreed in writing for the engagement.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or restrict liability where doing so would be unlawful.
Consumer Clients and Cancellation
Where a client acts as a consumer, applicable statutory consumer rights will be preserved.
Where the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 apply, VeriTrace will provide the required cancellation information and obtain any necessary express request or acknowledgement before commencing services during a statutory cancellation period.
Any payment due following cancellation will be determined in accordance with applicable consumer law.
Nothing in these Terms affects statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
Termination
Either party may terminate an engagement in accordance with its agreed terms and applicable law.
The client remains responsible for fees properly due for services performed up to termination, subject to applicable statutory rights and any agreed cancellation provisions.
VeriTrace may terminate an engagement where continuing the work would breach applicable law, regulatory requirements or material contractual obligations.
On termination, the parties will address any outstanding payments, confidential information and deliverables in accordance with their contractual and legal obligations.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Subject to any mandatory statutory rights or jurisdictional protections, disputes arising from an engagement will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Contact Details
VeriTrace Intelligence Limited
Registered in England and Wales
Company Registration Number: 17305629
Registered Office:
61 Bridge Street
Kington
HR5 3DJ
United Kingdom
Email: enquiries@veritraceintelligence.com
Website: www.veritraceintelligence.com