Terms & Conditions
Terms for website use, enquiries and the pre-engagement framework for private office support.
1. About these terms
These terms explain how the website may be used, how enquiries are handled, and the basis on which The Principals Office may discuss or prepare private office support. They are intended to sit alongside, not replace, any signed proposal, statement of work, client terms of engagement or partnership agreement.
If a specific signed document conflicts with these website terms, the signed document will normally take priority for the relevant engagement.
2. About The Principals Office
The Principals Office provides discreet, judgement-led private office and executive support for principals, families, households and private office structures. Support may include diary and priority management, logistics, household and adviser liaison, confidential correspondence, property and lifestyle administration, special projects, supplier sourcing and coordination, and interim or overflow support.
Services are tailored to the client and are not confirmed until a suitable scope, fee basis, authority level and contract route have been agreed in writing.
3. Website information and enquiries
The website is provided for general information and enquiry purposes only. Information on the website is not an offer to provide services, and submitting a form or sending an enquiry does not create a client relationship.
The Principals Office may decline, pause or refer onward any enquiry where this is appropriate because of capacity, suitability, conflicts, confidentiality, risk, safety, legal restrictions or professional judgement.
4. Discovery calls, paid reviews and proposals
An initial discovery call may be offered on a complimentary basis. More detailed requirements review, scoping, mapping, supplier comparison, coordination planning or operational review may be chargeable or credited against the first month or project where this is agreed in writing.
Any proposal or scope document should identify the services, exclusions, fees, authority limits, response expectations, confidentiality requirements and any supplier or contractor coordination arrangements.
5. Client engagement route
Work should normally begin only after the correct engagement documents have been agreed. These may include client terms of engagement, a statement of work, a fee schedule, a privacy notice, an authority schedule, and where needed, consumer cancellation wording or other bespoke terms.
For ongoing support, the preferred model is a monthly service arrangement or retainer, agreed in advance and reviewed as needed. Project-based and ad hoc senior assistance may also be agreed where appropriate.
6. Fees, payment and expenses
Fees, payment dates, VAT position, expenses, deposits, retainers and third-party costs should be set out in the relevant proposal, scope or signed engagement terms. Monthly retainers are normally payable in advance unless agreed otherwise.
The client is responsible for approved third-party costs, supplier charges, travel, accommodation, booking fees, cancellation charges and other out-of-pocket costs unless a different arrangement is agreed in writing.
7. Third-party suppliers, introductions and coordination
The Principals Office may identify, introduce, shortlist, liaise with or coordinate third-party suppliers, contractors, advisers or service providers where requested. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, those suppliers remain independent and are responsible for their own services, staff, insurance, pricing, terms, workmanship, availability, conduct and legal compliance.
Where The Principals Office charges a client-paid sourcing, procurement, placement, coordination or management fee, the fee basis should be confirmed in writing before the relevant supplier, contractor, adviser or service provider is instructed or introduced.
Any supplier-paid commission, referral arrangement or commercial benefit should be disclosed where required by law, contract or professional standards.
8. Client responsibilities and authority
Clients and authorised representatives are responsible for giving accurate, lawful and timely instructions, confirming authority to act, reviewing proposals and costs, and approving commitments before they are made.
The Principals Office should not be treated as having authority to incur costs, make bookings, instruct suppliers, approve documents, accept quotes, sign agreements or bind a client unless that authority has been clearly agreed in writing.
9. Professional boundaries
The Principals Office is not a law firm, tax adviser, financial adviser, investment adviser, medical adviser, regulated security provider, immigration adviser or employment adviser.
Where specialist advice is required, the client should instruct an appropriately qualified professional.
The Principals Office does not guarantee any particular commercial, legal, financial, personal, travel, supplier, property, medical, security or employment outcome.
10. Consumer cancellation rights
Where a client is acting as an individual consumer and services are agreed remotely, by phone, online, email or away from business premises, statutory cancellation rights may apply. The relevant proposal or client terms should make this clear before the client is bound.
If a client asks for services to begin during any statutory cancellation period, the client may still be required to pay for work properly carried out before cancellation, where this is permitted and has been correctly explained.
11. Confidentiality and discretion
The Principals Office treats confidential, family, household, staff, property, travel, asset, personal, professional and security-related information with discretion.
Clients should tell The Principals Office about any special confidentiality, media, safeguarding, access, staff, security or profile requirements before work begins.
12. Data protection
Personal data is handled in accordance with the Privacy Notice and any data protection terms agreed for the engagement.
Website forms, questionnaires and emails should be used only to provide information that is relevant to the enquiry or requested service.
13. Liability and exclusions
Nothing in these terms excludes liability where it cannot lawfully be excluded, including for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.
Subject to any signed engagement terms, The Principals Office is not responsible for losses caused by inaccurate information, unavailable suppliers, third-party acts or omissions, client delay, failure to approve costs, events outside reasonable control, or matters outside the agreed scope.
14. Changes, governing law and contact
These terms may be updated from time to time.
English law applies, and the courts of England and Wales will normally have jurisdiction unless a different arrangement is required by law or expressly agreed in writing.
For questions about these terms, contact: