Aston carter

[s2budd]

I would ring Ashton Carter and request a signed contract.
If you have not seen a copy yet then you can ask then to either email you or fax you a copy so that you can read what is actually in it.
Then have a signed copy faxed to you so that you can sign it and fax it back to then have one delivered via the post by Friday.

See what happens. If nothing then tell Ashton Carter on Thursday that you are going to have to tell the client that you do not have a contract yet and that no contract invalidates your insurance. End clients do not like having someone on site without a contract and they will more than likely put some preasure in the agency to forward you a contract.

[boredsenseless]

You right about getting signed contract and ordinarily I would
but client was really insistent I started straight away (people on
holiday etc).

I've always worked on trust, good faith etc and been OK so far but
perhaps I'm just naive.

As for utlimatum & leaving I certainly would get paid then but perhaps
just best to cut losses & put it down to experience - always get
signed contract first

Yes but if you've started on site without a contract you aren't covered by any insurances you may hae such as

Employers Liability
Professional Indemnity
IR35 Insurance
Legal Expenses

As non of these can be applied if you were not legally entitled to be there doing the work.

Get them to give you an email with a statement of intent in it, at least this covers you should something happen you can at least prove the agency had given the go-ahead for you to undertake the work.