We have been receiving queries from Members as to how they can implement staged fee payments from instructing parties, rather than simply invoicing for the full amount after delivery of the expert report. These arrangements could be anything from requiring payment of a portion of fees before delivery of the report, to multiple staged payments, such as 1/4 upfront, 1/4 at a midpoint, and 1/2 before providing the report.

To enable Members to implement these types of payment arrangements as straightforwardly as possible, we have amended our template Letter of Engagement to include, in clause 10, new, optional wording implementing a staged payment and, in clause 11, the right to withhold the report until part or all of the outstanding fees are paid. We have also made some other minor amendments to the Leter of Engagement to ensure full consistency with our Terms and Conditions. 

Members who currently use our Template Letter of Engagement, or who wish to consider staged fee payments, should download and use the revised Letter of Engagement, which is available in the Knowledge Hub at: EWI standard Expert Terms and Conditions of Engagement