Legal — Matter Intake Pipeline

// A matter intake pipeline: enquiries narrowing to opened files, with
// every enquiry that did not convert attributed to the gate that stopped
// it. The engagement terms the surviving matters run under are declared
// beside the flow, so the conversion rate and the obligations that
// follow from it are one document.

agreement engagement_terms {
  title: "Standard engagement terms — commercial disputes"
  type: "engagement letter"
  governing_law: "England and Wales"
  effective: "2026-01-06"
}

party firm {
  name: "Harrow & Vale LLP"
  role: "adviser"
  jurisdiction: "England and Wales"
}

party client {
  name: "Instructing client"
  role: "client"
  jurisdiction: "England and Wales"
}

clause conflict_check {
  title: "Conflict check cleared before any advice"
  type: "condition"
  party: firm
  summary: "No file is opened until the conflict search returns clear"
  section: "2.1"
}

clause fee_estimate {
  title: "Written fee estimate within five business days"
  type: "obligation"
  party: firm
  summary: "Estimate is revised in writing whenever scope changes"
  section: "4.2"
}

clause complete_instructions {
  title: "Instructions are complete and accurate"
  type: "warranty"
  party: client
  summary: "Advice is given on the documents disclosed, and no others"
  section: "3.1"
}

clause funds_on_account {
  title: "Money on account before substantive work"
  type: "condition"
  party: client
  summary: "Work is paused if the account balance falls below the floor"
  section: "5.3"
}

clause termination_notice {
  title: "Either party may terminate on 14 days notice"
  type: "right"
  party: client
  summary: "Fees accrued to the date of termination remain payable"
  section: "9.4"
}

obligation run_conflict {
  party: firm
  action: "Run and clear a conflict search"
  deadline: "Before any advice is given"
  penalty: "The matter cannot be opened"
}

obligation issue_estimate {
  party: firm
  action: "Issue a written fee estimate"
  deadline: "5 business days from instruction"
  penalty: "Fees limited to the last estimate given"
}

obligation fund_account {
  party: client
  action: "Fund the money on account"
  deadline: "10 days from engagement"
  penalty: "Substantive work is paused"
}

obligation disclose_documents {
  party: client
  action: "Disclose every document bearing on the dispute"
  deadline: "Rolling, within 3 days of coming into possession"
}

// ── Intake. 1 460 enquiries, 496 files opened, and every enquiry
//    that stopped short is attributed to the gate that stopped it.
cohort enquiries {
  n: 1460 source "Intake inbox, FY26 H1"
}

cohort triaged {
  n: 1287
  from: enquiries
  excluded: {
    outside_practice_area: 128
    duplicate_enquiry: 45
  }
}

cohort conflict_cleared {
  n: 1154
  from: triaged
  excluded: {
    conflict_found: 87
    client_identity_unverified: 46
  }
}

cohort scoped {
  n: 742
  from: conflict_cleared
  excluded: {
    no_response_to_scoping_call: 301
    value_below_engagement_threshold: 111
  }
}

cohort engaged {
  n: 508
  from: scoped
  excluded: {
    declined_fee_estimate: 179
    instructed_another_firm: 55
  }
}

cohort files_opened {
  n: 496
  from: engaged
  excluded: {
    funds_on_account_not_received: 12
  }
}

view clauses: clause_map
view intake: consort(enquiries)