Terms of business

Online only. Permanent, fixed term and contract recruitment services. Last updated 24 July 2026.

This Agreement is made between Cloud Hikers Ltd (Company Reference Number 14644500), registered in England and Wales, and the Client, hereinafter referred to as “The Client”.

1. Scope & Acceptance of Terms

1. Cloud Hikers Ltd will introduce Candidates to the Client for appointment by the Client. Once an appointment takes place, Cloud Hikers Ltd fees as set out in this Agreement become payable.
2. With the introduction of a candidate, the terms of this Agreement are deemed to have been accepted by the Client. These terms shall constitute the only contract between Cloud Hikers Ltd and the Client and can only be varied by the written Agreement of both parties.
3. Any amendments to these Terms of Business can only be approved and confirmed in writing by one of the Directors of Cloud Hikers Ltd in order to be valid.

2. Introductions & Confidentiality

4. An introduction is deemed to have taken place by the provision of any information about a candidate to the Client which allows the candidate to be identified, regardless of whether or not the Client knew the candidate prior to the introduction.
5. Following an introduction, if the Client is already communicating with the candidate in relation to a possible appointment, the Client must inform Cloud Hikers Ltd immediately. If the Client continues to use Cloud Hikers Ltd to provide services regarding this candidate and subsequently appoints the candidate, a fee will become due. If it is unclear or ambiguous as to how the Client learned about the candidate for the first time, the Client will be responsible for providing evidentiary documentation on Cloud Hikers Ltd’s demand.
6. To enable Cloud Hikers Ltd to introduce suitable Candidates, the Client must provide all relevant information on its vacancies including the anticipated start date, position, required experience, qualifications, and the anticipated compensation package.
7. Information relating to any Candidate is supplied on a strictly confidential basis. The Client undertakes not to disclose any information relating to a Candidate to any third party (including any Group Company of the Client) without the prior written consent of Cloud Hikers Ltd. If an appointment takes place by a third party (including any Group Company of the Client) as a direct result of the Client having shared the Candidate’s information, the Client shall be liable to pay a fee of 40% of the anticipated first year’s Fixed Compensation or £15,000, whichever is the greater. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Group Company” means any entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Client, where “control” means the ownership of 50% or more of the voting rights.

3. Appointments & Fees

8. An appointment takes place once the Client offers engagement to the candidate (whether on a temporary, fixed-term, or permanent basis) and the candidate accepts.
9. The Client is obliged to advise Cloud Hikers Ltd of the total compensation offered to the candidate immediately upon an offer of employment being made.
10. Should an offer concluding a main contract be retracted by the Client prior to the candidate joining, the Client shall be liable for an administration fee of £1,500.
11. Cloud Hikers Ltd’s fees become invoiceable on the start date of a candidate’s appointment. Payment terms are as set out in clause 21.
12. Fee Calculation: The fee is calculated as a percentage of the candidate’s anticipated first year’s Fixed Compensation. Fixed Compensation is defined as the candidate’s annual fixed compensation comprising basic salary, fixed allowances (including but not limited to house rent allowance, transport allowance, and special allowances), and any guaranteed contractual bonuses. Fixed Compensation excludes variable or performance-based bonuses, employer statutory contributions (such as Provident Fund and Gratuity), and discretionary benefits. If candidates are appointed for periods of less than a year, the Fixed Compensation will be annualised for the calculation of the fee.
13. Fee Scale: Cloud Hikers Ltd fees are 13% of the candidate’s first year’s annual Fixed Compensation.
14. Should the Client fail to advise Cloud Hikers Ltd of the appointment within 14 days of the start date, a late-notification fee becomes payable at the rate of 40% of the anticipated first year’s Fixed Compensation or £15,000, whichever is the greater.
15. If an appointment of a Candidate is made by the Client within 12 months of the initial introduction or any subsequent reintroduction, the standard fees shall become payable.

4. Fixed Term Contracts (FTC)

16. Where the Client makes an offer of employment on a fixed-term basis of less than 12 months, the fee will be charged proportionately to the length of the contract in months compared to a full year’s salary fee. For instance, a 6-month FTC fee will be calculated at 50% of the full annual fee. No candidate will be engaged on a fixed term of less than 3 calendar months.
17. If a Fixed Term contract extends beyond its initial agreed period, or the Client re-engages with the candidate within 6 calendar months of their termination date, a further fee will be due based on the length in months of the extended contractual period.
18. In the event that a candidate is engaged on a permanent basis following the expiry of an FTC, a full permanent fee shall be payable.

5. Invoicing, Taxes & Payment Terms

19. Invoicing & FX Mapping: Where the candidate’s Fixed Compensation is denominated in a currency other than GBP, Cloud Hikers Ltd will issue the invoice from its UK entity in GBP, calculated from the agreed Fixed Compensation in the local currency at the spot exchange rate on the day of placement.
20. Taxes: All fees and other amounts payable under this Agreement are exclusive of any value added tax, goods and services tax, or other sales taxes which may apply. Where any such tax is chargeable, the Client shall pay it in addition to the fee on production of a valid tax invoice.
21. Payment Window: An invoice is payable within 30 days of its date of issue. The Client agrees to supply Cloud Hikers Ltd with any required Purchase Order (PO) or billing details in advance of the start date. Time of payment is of the essence. Without prejudice to any other right or remedy, late payment shall attract interest and compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (as amended), or such equivalent statutory rate as is permitted under the laws of the Client’s jurisdiction if higher.
22. No Set-Off: All amounts payable to Cloud Hikers Ltd under this Agreement shall be paid in full and in cleared funds, without any set-off, counterclaim, deduction or withholding, save as required by law (including any withholding tax dealt with under clause 23).
23. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) / Withholding Tax: All fees quoted are exclusive of local withholding taxes. Where the Client is required by local laws (such as Indian Income Tax regulations) to deduct Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) from payments due to Cloud Hikers Ltd, the Client shall:
    • Deduct the minimum statutory amount required by law.
    • Pay the net amount to Cloud Hikers Ltd.
    • Provide Cloud Hikers Ltd with an official TDS Certificate (Form 16A or equivalent international certificate) within 30 days of the end of the financial quarter in which the payment was made, allowing Cloud Hikers Ltd to claim appropriate tax credits.
24. If Cloud Hikers Ltd incurs any legal or collection costs as a result of non-payment or late payment of an invoice, the Client will become liable to pay such costs.

6. Rebate Structure

25. If the appointment of a Candidate is terminated within 2 weeks of the commencement of employment, a rebate will be credited by Cloud Hikers Ltd to the Client at the rate of 50%.
26. No rebate shall be payable if:
    1. The appointment is rescinded by the Client for no fault of the candidate;
    2. Cloud Hikers Ltd is not notified in writing within 14 days of the termination along with the specific reasons;
    3. The invoice has not been settled in full within 30 days of its date of issue;
    4. The cause of termination has no bearing on the Candidate’s qualifications, capability, or conduct;
    5. The Candidate is made redundant.

7. Liability & Verification

27. Cloud Hikers Ltd does not personally obtain references pertaining to a particular candidate unless explicitly requested in writing. The Client is solely responsible for ensuring the suitability and capability of a candidate, verifying skills, checking references, and ensuring the satisfaction of local work permits or medical requirements.
28. Cloud Hikers Ltd takes no responsibility for any loss, damage, expense, or delay caused by the candidate.

8. Severability & Jurisdiction

29. If any of the provisions of these Terms shall be determined by any competent authority to be unenforceable to any extent, such provision shall be severed from the remaining terms, which shall continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.
30. This Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales. The parties agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales in respect of any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.