Put your recruitment or HR referral deal into a clear written agreement

Referral arrangements in this space often look simple until a fee is disputed. Common flashpoints include whether an introduction was genuine, whether the other party already knew the client, whether a candidate came through multiple channels, and whether the referral led to a placement, project or retainer later on. A written agreement gives you a clearer basis for fee entitlement, referral protection periods, confidentiality and permitted use of candidate or client information. That is especially important where sensitive people data is being shared between separate businesses.

These agreements often cover what counts as a referral, how it must be submitted, when it is accepted, what event triggers payment, how the fee is calculated, and what exclusions apply for existing contacts or prior dealings. They can also deal with non-circumvention wording, invoicing, confidentiality, privacy-related obligations, liability settings, termination and post-termination treatment of referrals already in progress. If the arrangement involves candidate details or HR records, the drafting should reflect how information is actually collected, used and shared in practice, not just broad assumptions.

The drafting usually depends on the referral model you actually use. That includes whether you refer candidates, employers, outsourced HR projects or advisory leads, how a referral is recorded, how long protection lasts, and whether there are multiple fee scenarios. It also matters whether one party only introduces the lead or stays involved after the handover. The contract needs to fit the actual relationship, including the roles, documents and operational details behind it. If the real process on the ground differs from the contract, that can create problems later even if the wording looks polished.

A generic template may cover basic fee sharing, but it often misses the points that tend to matter in recruitment and HR. For example, it may not deal properly with disputed introductions, replacement periods, existing client carve-outs, restrictions on bypassing the referrer, or the handling of candidate and client information. Those gaps can become expensive once a placement happens or a client engagement expands. A tailored agreement can improve clarity around the commercial deal and the information flow, but You will get a clear view of the legal issues and the next steps that matter. if the parties do not follow the agreed process.

This service covers the agreement itself and the legal work needed to get that document into shape. It does not include If extra support is needed, we will explain it upfront and quote it separately before you proceed. It also does not cover broader negotiations or a live claim about unpaid referral fees unless separately scoped. If your matter expands beyond the core contract, such as a wider commercial negotiation or a dispute about who introduced a client or candidate, we can discuss an additional quote for that extra work.

As an online law firm, we eliminate the headaches of paying us by the hour and finding time to meet with a lawyer in person. We charge a fixed fee, with upfront quotes and transparent pricing, and communicate via phone, email and video chat - whichever suits you! You'll be guided through our process by our expert lawyers, who are Australian-qualified and specialise in technology, intellectual property, contract drafting, corporate and commercial law.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from $250 to $2,500 AUD depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

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