Transglobal Intel Net

Engagement Framework

Engagement Terms

How Transglobal Intel Net accepts, scopes, carries out, and closes a matter.

1. Purpose and Application

1.1 This page describes how we accept and carry out a matter — the process and controls in plain English. It sits alongside, but does not replace, the contractual’s Terms of Engagement (contractual), Acceptable Use Policy, Standards & Governance, and Privacy & Data Handling policies.

1.2 No engagement, retainer, or duty arises from preliminary contact. A matter only begins once we have accepted it in writing following the steps below.

1.3 The framework applies in full to every matter, regardless of size, sector, or jurisdiction. Variation requires written approval at partner level and is recorded on the matter file.

2. Engagement Lifecycle

From contact to closure

Every matter moves through seven defined stages. Each stage has a defined output and a defined check. A matter does not move forward unless the gate is satisfied.

  1. Confidential Intake. Initial contact is received through the firm’s intake channels. Sufficient information is captured to permit conflict screening and lawful-basis review. Intake correspondence is logged. No advice is given and no work is commenced at this stage. Gate: intake record opened.
  2. Conflict Check. The firm conducts conflict screening against current and prior matters, parties, and adversaries. Where a conflict or potential conflict is identified, the matter is declined, restricted by ethical wall, or referred. Gate: conflict clearance recorded.
  3. Lawful Basis & Permissible Purpose. The lawful basis for the proposed work is identified by reference to the relevant jurisdiction(s). We obtain written confirmation of lawful purpose from the prospective client. Matters that cannot be founded on a lawful basis are declined. Check: lawful purpose documented; written confirmation on file.
  4. Scoping. Objectives, deliverables, the jurisdictions involved, the time horizon, reporting frequency, and the methods that will and will not be used are agreed in writing. Out-of-scope matters and method limits are recorded explicitly. Check: written scope agreed.
  5. Formal Engagement. Written engagement is issued under the firm’s Terms of Engagement. The matter is opened on the firm’s systems. The engagement lead is named and the standing communication channel is established. Check: countersigned engagement on file.
  6. Carrying out the work. Work is conducted within the agreed scope, under the firm’s Standards & Governance, and within the access-tier provisioned on the Proprietary Intelligence Platform. Material scope changes require a written variation. Gate: continuous; variations recorded.
  7. Reporting & Closure. Output is delivered in the agreed form, with provenance, sourcing summary, jurisdictional notes, and reliance limits stated. The matter is formally closed; records are retained under the firm’s records-management policy. Gate: closure memorandum issued.

3. Engagement Tiers

Standard and Sponsored / Complex

3.1 The same lifecycle applies to all matters. Two tiers are recognised for purposes of intake, controls, and reporting.

Tier I

Standard Engagement

A defined matter within a single jurisdiction or a small set of related jurisdictions, addressable within the firm’s standard scope envelope and standard reporting cadence. Drawn from Layer 2 capability with controlled Layer 3 components where required.

Typical examples: enhanced due diligence on a counterparty, asset and ownership enquiry, litigation-support research, pre-transaction integrity review, sanctions and PEP exposure assessment.

Controls: standard conflict check, written scope, named engagement lead, single-track reporting.

Tier II

Sponsored / Complex Engagement

A matter of greater scope, sensitivity, or jurisdictional reach, requiring elevated controls. Sponsored matters are only accepted under named partner sponsorship and with additional oversight.

Typical examples: cross-border asset tracing and recovery support, contested fact-finding across multiple jurisdictions, regulator- or court-facing work, and matters involving advanced research at material depth.

Controls: partner sponsorship, enhanced conflict and lawful-purpose review, jurisdictional sign-off, dual reporting line, defined safety arrangements, and a closure review.

Tier classification is determined by the firm at scoping. The client may request Tier II controls; the firm reserves discretion on tier assignment.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Client and firm

Client

  • Provide accurate identifying information for conflict screening.
  • State the lawful basis and intended use of any output.
  • Sign the permissible-purpose attestation and the formal engagement.
  • Disclose related parties, prior advisers, and known sensitivities.
  • Maintain confidentiality of the engagement and of work product.
  • Notify the firm of any change in the matter, parties, or intended use.

Firm

  • Conduct conflict and lawful-basis review before acceptance.
  • Define written scope, deliverables, and method limits.
  • Conduct work under the firm’s Standards & Governance.
  • Maintain provenance and audit logs at every stage.
  • Report in the agreed form, with reliance limits stated.
  • Decline or terminate where conditions are not met.

5. Jurisdictional Considerations

Lawful, local, and proportionate

5.1 Each matter is assessed against the law of the jurisdictions in which work will be conducted, the jurisdictions of the parties, and the jurisdictions in which output will be used.

5.2 Where local licensing, professional privilege, or data-protection law requires it, work is carried out through qualified local counsel or licensed local practitioners. We do not carry out regulated activity in jurisdictions in which we are not authorised to do so.

5.3 Sanctioned, conflict-affected, and high-risk jurisdictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Sanctions, export-control, and counter-terrorism finance regimes apply absolutely; matters that cannot be conducted within them are declined.

6. Confidentiality and Data Handling

Default discretion

6.1 The fact and content of a matter are confidential. We do not confirm engagements, identify clients, or disclose work product to third parties without written authorisation, save where lawfully required.

6.2 Personal data is processed in accordance with the firm’s Privacy & Data Handling policy and applicable data-protection law. Processing is limited to what is necessary for the lawful basis identified at intake.

6.3 Working materials, source records, and provenance logs are retained under the firm’s records-management policy. Disclosure is reserved for engagement-level briefings, response to lawful process, or regulatory obligation.

6.4 Specific tools, databases, sources, methodologies, and capability indices are not disclosed in client-facing materials.

7. Permissible Purpose

A condition of acceptance

7.1 Every engagement requires a permissible purpose recognised under applicable law. The client confirms the purpose in writing as part of acceptance.

  • Recognised legal, regulatory, or contractual basis.
  • Defined relationship between purpose, scope, and intended use.
  • No use of work product for any purpose outside the stated basis without written variation.
  • No onward disclosure to third parties without written consent.

7.2 The firm’s Acceptable Use Policy applies to all output. Misuse will result in termination, withdrawal of any reliance representation, and, where appropriate, referral.

8. Conditions Under Which Engagements Are Declined

The form, content, and effect of the lawful-purpose confirmation are set out in the firm’s Lawful Purpose Confirmation policy.

Matters the firm will not accept

An engagement will be declined, or terminated if already commenced, where any of the following arises:

  • No identifiable lawful basis or recognised lawful purpose.
  • Conflict of interest that cannot be cleared, walled, or waived.
  • Sanctions, export-control, or counter-terrorism finance prohibition.
  • The matter is, in substance, surveillance, harassment, or coercion of an individual.
  • The matter targets a journalist, whistleblower, lawyer, or human-rights defender in the lawful exercise of their function.
  • The matter requires unauthorised access to systems, accounts, communications, or data.
  • The client cannot or will not satisfy identification, conflict, or attestation requirements.
  • The client withholds information material to the lawful-basis or scope assessment.
  • The intended use of output is misaligned with the stated purpose.
  • The matter cannot be conducted to the firm’s evidentiary or governance standard.
  • The matter would expose the firm, its personnel, sources, or other clients to disproportionate risk.

The firm reserves the absolute discretion to decline any matter without statement of reasons. Decline does not create a duty and does not constitute advice.

9. Variation, Termination, and Closure

Controlled change

9.1 Variation of scope, jurisdictional perimeter, method, or reporting requires a written variation signed by the client and the firm. Verbal variations are not effective.

9.2 The firm may suspend or terminate an engagement on notice where the conditions in clause 8 arise, where instructions cannot be lawfully or safely fulfilled, or where the client fails to discharge its obligations.

9.3 On closure, the matter file is sealed under records-management; reliance on output is bounded by the form and date of delivery. Onward use beyond the stated purpose requires written variation or a fresh engagement.

10. Reference Framework

Read alongside

Initiate

Engagements begin with confidential intake. No advice, retainer, or duty arises from preliminary contact.

Confidential Intake