About our Sub-Consulting Agreement
Before you sign, here’s a quick plain‑English summary of the key terms:
Scope: You’ll deliver the services described in Schedule A. Any changes to scope, deliverables, timeline or fees must be agreed in writing (email is fine).
Customer “flow‑down”: Where relevant, you must comply with applicable end‑customer requirements (e.g., security/acceptance/policies) that we share with you, and you must not do anything that puts us in breach of our customer contract.
Fees & expenses: You invoice as agreed; invoices are payable within 30 days. Expenses are reimbursed only if pre‑approved (in Schedule A or in writing). Late payments accrue interest at 4% above NatWest base rate.
Independent contractor: You’re not an employee/agent of Ripe Apple or the customer, and you’re responsible for your own tax/NIC.
Confidentiality: Keep Ripe Apple/customer information strictly confidential, use it only for the engagement, keep it secure, and return/delete it at the end. Confidentiality survives termination (trade secrets indefinitely).
Data protection: If you process any personal data for the services, you act only on our documented instructions, maintain appropriate security, and notify us within 24 hours of any personal data breach.
Access to Ripe Apple systems (acceptable use): If we grant access to our tools (e.g. Google Workspace/Slack/Notion/HubSpot, etc.), you must keep credentials secure (no sharing), follow our security policies, not export data to unapproved places, not connect unapproved third‑party tools, and not upload confidential/customer/personal data into generative AI tools unless we approve in writing.
IP: Anything you create for the engagement (deliverables/work product) belongs to Ripe Apple. If you incorporate pre‑existing materials, you grant Ripe Apple a broad licence so we (and customers) can use the deliverables.
Non‑solicit / non‑circumvention: During the engagement and for a period after it ends, you must not bypass Ripe Apple to provide competing services directly to our/customer clients, and you must not poach Ripe Apple/customer personnel.
Warranties / indemnity / liability: You warrant you’ll perform with due skill and comply with law; you indemnify Ripe Apple for losses arising from breach, negligence, flow‑down breach, or IP infringement claims. Ripe Apple’s liability to you is capped (subject to standard carve‑outs).
Termination: Either party can terminate for convenience on 30 days’ notice, and immediately for material breach/insolvency. On exit you hand over work‑in‑progress and delete/return confidential info/personal data.
Legal: England & Wales law, escalation then optional LCIA mediation, English courts ultimately.
Revision 1.5