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Legal Eagle

Agents

D Michael Rose

How do I find the right one?
I recently graduated from an acting school. I have been told to get an agent but I have no idea how to get one, nor how I can guarantee my earnings are protected. What should I do?

How long can my agent hold my earnings?
I performed a booking arranged for me by my agent. I am still awaiting payment. He is short of money because he is owed a substantial amount from another firm. Is this legal?

What charges can an agent make?
What legal right does an agency have to charge me expenses such as registration and administration fees when it has not found me any work?

Do I pay the agent or the act?
If a production company uses an artist, are the fees owed to the performer rather than his agent? If the agent handles the invoice and then passes it onto the performer, does the latter pay VAT?

Can I deal with accredited agents only?
Our working men's club wants to hire acts. Can we refuse to deal with any agents who do not belong to registered trade association or is that against the law?

How can an agent stop their act being poached?
I am a manager to a promising young artist. What guarantees can I seek to ensure he will not be poached by a big London firm without making him sign a long contract.

Do I have to register as an agent?
I discovered a promising amateur singer and invested money turning her into a star and have booked her into venues, this makes me her agent. Does this mean I have to be registered in any way?

Can I chase my agent's clients for payment?
Do I have any legal standing to get the agent to give me the client's details so I can call them and ask why the money has not been paid?

Is it legal to be represented by two agents?
I am currently being represented by two agents. Is this legal?

Overdue payment from insolvent agent
My cheque from an agent has bounced and insolvency action is pending against the firm. Do I have any chance of getting my money back?

Starting a children's casting agency
I have plans to create a casting agency in my local area for children. Apart from having police checks, what other red tape will I have to go through in order to start up?

Agency fees
An agency has asked me to supply £85 and three photos in order to put my details on CD-ROM and the company's webpage. How do I check this firm is legitimate?

Unwanted publicity
An entertainment agency I no longer use continues to advertise my act on its website and ignores my written request that it should stop. What can I do?

Casting Agent legislation
I plan to set up business as a casting agent. Can you outline with which legislation I shall need to comply?

No work and a retrospective upfront fee paid
I was accepted on to the books of an agency. I paid £300 after they told I would be able to pay the costs off quickly after a couple of jobs. I never heard anything further. Is there anything I can do?

What services should an agent provide?
What services can I expect an agent to provide for me and what shouldn't I expect from them?

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