Terms and conditions for a talent and speaker agency

A speaker agency books people it does not employ for events it does not run, and is paid a commission. The terms have to make clear that the agency acts as agent, form the booking contract between client and talent, fix deposits and cancellation in both directions, deal with travel, riders and recording, and say what happens when the talent is ill. I draft those terms for a fixed fee of £995, delivered in five working days.

Who this is for

Speaker bureaus, talent agencies, entertainment booking agencies and celebrity booking services in England and Wales booking speakers, presenters, performers and personalities for corporate events, conferences and brand work on behalf of business clients. These are the agency's client-facing terms.

What matters in talent agency terms

The agency as agent and the booking contract

The terms should say that the agency acts as agent for the talent (or for the client, and the terms must say which), that the booking contract is between the client and the talent on the terms confirmed in the booking, and that the agency is not liable for the talent's performance or non-performance. An agency finding engagements for performers and speakers is an employment agency under the Employment Agencies Act 1973, and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 contain specific rules for the entertainment sector on fees charged to the talent and on client money. The booking confirmation, with the date, fee, duration, content and deliverables, is the contract the terms wrap around.

Fees, deposits and payment

The terms should state the fee, whether it includes the agency's commission, the deposit payable on confirmation, the balance date before the event, and that late payment carries interest and fixed compensation under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. Fees may be payable to the agency for onward payment to the talent, and the terms should say that the client's payment to the agency discharges the client.

Cancellation by the client and by the talent

A booking for a specific date is cancelled at a cost, and the terms should set the client's cancellation scale rising towards the event. Cancellation by the talent through illness or an unavoidable commitment should be dealt with directly: the agency will use reasonable endeavours to find a substitute of equivalent standing, and failing that the deposit and fee are refunded, with the client's other losses excluded. Force majeure affecting the event should allow rescheduling within a stated period.

Travel, riders and the event

The terms should say who books and pays travel and accommodation, that the talent's rider (technical, dietary, security) forms part of the booking, that the client provides the venue, equipment and briefing described, and that changes to the timing, format or audience after confirmation need the talent's agreement. The client is responsible for the event itself, its licences and its safety.

Recording, content and conduct

Recording, streaming and later use of a speech or performance need the talent's consent and often a further fee, and the terms should say so; under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 the talent's material remains theirs. The client may not use the talent's name or image for promotion beyond the event without agreement. The terms should also say that the talent's views are their own and that the client may not require content that would bring the talent into disrepute. Liability of the agency should be capped at its commission, with consequential loss excluded, tested for reasonableness under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.

What it costs

Customer or supplier terms and conditions, £995. One set of terms, customer-facing or supplier-facing, drafted for your business. Five working days.

Review of your existing terms, £495. You already have terms and want them checked and brought up to date. Returned marked up with my amendments and an explanation of the changes. Three working days.

Email me at geoffrey@caesar.co.uk with what you need and any documents, and I will confirm the scope and the fee in writing, usually the same working day.

What you get

• A full set of bespoke terms drafted for your business, reflecting the legal requirements that apply to your business and sector
• A note in plain English explaining the terms I have drafted for you
• Liability, payment, termination and IP provisions that protect your position and are drafted to withstand scrutiny from the other side
• Guidance on how to incorporate the terms properly
• Your questions and comments answered by email or phone
• One round of amendments to finalise the terms ready for use

What is not included

• Negotiating your terms with individual customers (I am happy to quote for this as an additional service if required)
• Sector-specific regulatory compliance beyond the contract terms themselves
• Website privacy notice and cookie compliance, which I quote separately
• Terms governed by the law of another country
• Tax advice

Questions I am often asked

The keynote fell ill the night before and the client wants compensation for the event. Who pays?

If the terms say the booking contract is with the talent, that the agency is not liable for non-performance, and that illness leads to a substitute or a refund with other losses excluded, the client gets the refund and no more. The agency's efforts to find a substitute should be recorded.

The client filmed the talk and put it on their website. Can we do anything?

If the terms say recording and later use need the talent's consent and a fee, the client is in breach, and the agency can require removal or invoice the use on the talent's behalf. Say it in the booking confirmation as well.

The client cancelled two weeks before the event. What do they owe?

The cancellation scale in the terms, which at two weeks out is usually the whole fee, because the talent turned other work away. State the scale on the confirmation.

Related guidance and services

• Terms and conditions drafting, £995, the service this page describes
• Contract review, £495
• Terms and conditions for an influencer marketing agency
• Terms and conditions for an entertainment booking agency

This page is general guidance for businesses in England and Wales, not advice on your own circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026. Email geoffrey@caesar.co.uk.