Terms of Engagement

Application of these terms

These Terms of Engagement apply to enquiries submitted through this website and, where an instruction is formally accepted, to professional services provided by Gavin Burrows in connection with that instruction.

By submitting an enquiry, you acknowledge that you have read these terms and understand that no client relationship, retainer, or binding instruction is created by submission alone.

Where a separate engagement letter, client agreement, or written instruction is issued, that document will take precedence over these website terms to the extent of any inconsistency.

Enquiries and submissions

Enquiries may be submitted through the appropriate website enquiry form or another authorised website route. Each enquiry is reviewed at professional discretion.

You are responsible for ensuring that any information submitted is accurate, lawful, and provided in good faith. False, misleading, speculative, or vexatious enquiries may be declined without further correspondence.

Acceptance of instructions

Gavin Burrows reserves the right to accept or decline any enquiry or instruction without obligation to provide reasons. An instruction may be declined for reasons including, but not limited to:

• A current or potential conflict of interest.
• The nature, legality, or purpose of the proposed instruction.
• Jurisdictional considerations or resource limitations.
• Concerns regarding identity, credibility, or authority to instruct.
• Any professional, ethical, practical, or legal concern.

Acceptance of an instruction is confirmed only in writing through a formal engagement letter, client agreement, or equivalent written confirmation.

Commencement of work

No investigative work begins until the matter has been formally accepted and the required terms have been agreed in writing. Depending on the matter, this may include:

• Written acceptance of the engagement terms.
• Agreement of scope, objectives, limitations, and reporting arrangements.
• Receipt of any agreed fee, deposit, or retainer.
• Completion of any necessary identity, authority, or conflict checks.
• Confirmation that the instruction can be conducted lawfully.

Verbal discussions, preliminary emails, or enquiry-stage communications do not authorise work to commence.

Lawful and professional conduct

All work is conducted within the law and within relevant professional standards. No instruction will be accepted where it requires unlawful methods, improper access to private information, harassment, intimidation, trespass, or any activity contrary to law.

Enquiries connected to stalking, harassment, coercion, unlawful surveillance, intimidation, or improper pressure will be declined immediately and may be referred to the appropriate authority where necessary.

Confidentiality

Enquiries, client identities, instructions, findings, and related communications are treated with professional confidentiality. Information will not be disclosed except where necessary and appropriate.

Disclosure may occur only in limited circumstances, including:

• Where required by law, court order, regulator, or competent authority.
• Where disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm or criminal activity.
• Where the client has given explicit written consent.
• Where disclosure to professional advisers is necessary and subject to confidentiality.

No public comment will be made about any current, former, or prospective client, instruction, or matter unless expressly authorised in writing or required by law.

Fees and payment

Fees are agreed individually and confirmed in writing before work begins. They may be structured as a fixed fee, day rate, retainer, staged payment, or another agreed arrangement.

• Fees and payment terms will be set out in the relevant engagement documentation.
• Reasonable expenses or disbursements may be charged where agreed or necessary.
• Work may be paused or declined where agreed fees are not received.
• Fees are charged for professional time, expertise, resources, and work undertaken, not for a guaranteed outcome.

No obligation to provide services arises until fees, scope, and written terms have been agreed.

No guarantee of outcome

Investigative work is inherently uncertain. Gavin Burrows does not guarantee any particular finding, result, outcome, recovery, media response, litigation advantage, or commercial benefit.

Professional services are provided with care, judgment, and lawful methods, but the outcome of any enquiry or investigation depends on available information, lawful access, evidence, cooperation, jurisdiction, timing, and other factors beyond control.

Media enquiries

Journalists, editors, producers, researchers, and media representatives should use the dedicated media enquiry route where possible.

• Media enquiries must clearly identify the enquirer, publication, organisation, subject, and intended use.
• No response is guaranteed.
• No comment will be made on confidential clients, active matters, or legally sensitive instructions.
• Speculative, leading, adversarial, or characterisation-seeking requests may be disregarded.
• Matters involving ongoing or anticipated legal proceedings may be declined or referred to legal counsel.

Submitting a media enquiry does not create any right to a statement, interview, confirmation, denial, or response.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, liability arising from any engagement will be limited to the fees paid for the specific engagement giving rise to the claim, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Gavin Burrows will not be liable for indirect, consequential, or special loss, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity, reputational damage, or loss arising from the acts or omissions of third parties, except where such limitation is prohibited by law.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Governing law

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, these terms and any engagement entered into on the basis of them are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising from these terms or a related engagement will be subject to the jurisdiction agreed in the relevant engagement documentation, or otherwise the courts of England and Wales.

Where a matter involves another jurisdiction, applicable law, forum, local requirements, and operational limitations may be addressed separately in writing.

Updates and variations

These Terms of Engagement may be updated from time to time. The date at the top of this page indicates the latest version.

Any request to vary these terms in relation to a specific matter must be agreed in writing. No variation is valid unless confirmed in writing.