Viks McKeating BSL/English Interpreter

Terms and Conditions.

Terms & Conditions (effective from 1^st May 2019)

Bookings are undertaken subject to and upon the following terms and conditions unless specifically agreed otherwise in writing. 

Contracts are made between Viks McKeating (“the Interpreter”) and the purchaser of her services (“the Purchaser”).

The Interpreter shall provide the services requested by the Purchaser at the agreed times and venue, for either the Purchaser or a third party (“the Client”).

General Conduct:

The interpreter is registered with NRCDP and undertakes to abide by the Code of Conduct as set out by NRCDP.

Fees

• Fees will be quoted and agreed prior to the booking.
• Fees will be based upon the agreed ‘call out fee’ for the specified location and times (inclusive of break periods).  Should the assignment last longer than the agreed times, additional fees will be charged by the hour. The purchaser will be informed of any additional charges as soon as possible.
• In some cases, the Interpreter may charge for travel time, meals, accommodation and sundry expenses.  The Purchaser will be advised about any additional fees for an assignment at the time of booking.
• A supplementary fee for working unsociable hours shall be agreed between the Interpreter and the Client in advance, for assignments between the hours of 17:00 and 09:00 or at weekends or public holidays.

Travel Expenses

The Interpreter shall determine the method of transport and route for travelling to and from the venue.  The Purchaser shall be responsible and will be invoiced for the following travel expenses where applicable:

• Rail/Bus travel – Standard class fare
• Car travel – 40 pence per mile
• Car parking – Full cost
• Tolls – Full cost
• Taxi – Full cost

Payment

Payment must be received within 28 days from the date of invoice.  Preferred method of payment is by BACS transfer to: Barclays Bank, Account No:  53439712, Sort Code: 20-12-80.  Cheques are to be made payable to V McKeating and sent to 94 North Road, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 2HB.  Overdue payments will incur a fee of £40 for each repeat invoice issued by the Interpreter along with interest, in accordance with her statutory right to claim recovery cost under the regulations relating to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act.

Cancellation

A contract will be in effect from the time a booking is confirmed, whether agreed verbally or by written communication (including electronic media).  In the event of cancellation the Purchaser shall be liable for the following charges as recommended by NUBSLI:

• 14 days or more notice   – No fee
• 8 – 13 days notice – 50% of agreed fee
• 7 days or less notice   – 100% of agreed fee

A cancellation fee is due whether alternative work is offered or not.  Should an alternative booking be offered, acceptance is at the discretion of the interpreter.  Factors considered will include times, location and appropriateness of the booking. A waiver of the cancellation fee will be considered if the interpreter accepts alternative work, but is at the discretion of the interpreter.

Non-Attendance

When the Client has failed to attend an event then the Interpreter shall charge the full service fee plus travel expenses.  The Interpreter shall not charge a service fee if she is unable to attend an event due to unforeseen circumstances: however she will attempt to arrange a substitute interpreter and notify the relevant parties as soon as possible.  The Interpreter shall not be liable for any failure on her part to fulfil her obligations to the Purchaser.

Responsibilities

The Purchaser shall provide:

• the full venue address
• a contact name and telephone number
• the start and finish times
• details about the Client and the assignment
• any support material necessary to assist the Interpreter
• the name and address of the person to be invoiced, along with any specific details required on the invoice, ie purchase order number.
• name and telephone number of any co-workers. 

When there are no co-workers present then short break periods must be scheduled at intervals not exceeding 40 minutes.  The Purchaser shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the venue is suitable for the purpose of the assignment.  The Interpreter is at liberty to terminate an assignment if she is subjected to offensive behaviour.  The Purchaser shall indemnify the Interpreter against all expenses, losses and damages incurred or arising as a result of negligence on the part of the Purchaser.      The Interpreter shall not be liable for any expenses or losses incurred by the Purchaser or the Client under any circumstances.

Co-Workers

Assignments exceeding two hours duration normally necessitate the use of multiple interpreters although there may be exceptions (subject to prior agreement) depending on the nature of the assignment.  If a co-worker booked by the Purchaser fails to attend then a surcharge will be levied for the additional workload imposed on the Interpreter, if she feels it appropriate to proceed with the assignment.  On occasion, assignments under two hours may require a co-worker if they are particularly intense, to be judged by the interpreter.  Only interpreters also registered with NRCPD are acceptable.

Recordings

No record of an Interpreter’s work shall be made without the Interpreter’s prior consent, except where such recording is inherent within legal proceedings. Recordings, which are intended for broadcast or publication, may incur an additional fee.

Preparation

It is always useful and sometimes essential for Interpreters to receive preparation notes prior to an assignment. Please submit all materials such as briefing information, agenda, minutes, notes, handouts or scripts at least 3 working days prior to an assignment unless the assignment is short notice – in this case a briefing meeting with the interpreter before the assignment starts, will be acceptable.

Viks McKeating
BSL/English Interpreter (RSLI)
NRCPD registered: 1004548