Terms and Conditions

Do be aware – it’s a bit boring, but it’s also a bit legal – when you ask me to undertake work, you agree to all the below terms and conditions. So please read carefully before commissioning any work. These terms and conditions apply to any work done for the Client (that’s you) by the Freelancer (that’s me) unless specified in writing.

General

  • The Client is under no obligation to offer the Freelancer work; neither is the Freelancer under any obligation to accept work offered by the Client.

  • The Freelancer will provide service(s) as mutually agreed, confirmed in writing by the Client.

  • The work will be carried out unsupervised at such times and places as determined by the Freelancer, using his own equipment.

  • The Freelancer confirms that he is self-employed, is responsible for his own income tax and National Insurance contributions, and for paying VAT (where applicable) and will not claim benefits granted to the Client's employees.

  • The Freelancer agrees to attend the Client's or other premises for necessary meetings, with the time spent and agreed reasonable expenses incurred to be reimbursed by the Client.

  • The Client will reimburse the Freelancer for agreed reasonable expenses over and above usual expenses incurred in the process of reportage work.

  • The Client will pay the Freelancer a fee per an agreed flat fee for the job, plus VAT where applicable.

  • The completed work will be delivered on or before the date agreed, for the agreed fee, which will be based on the description of the work required and the brief, both supplied by the Client and agreed on with the Freelancer.

  • If, however, on receipt of the item to be worked on or at an early stage, it becomes apparent that significantly more work is required than had been anticipated in the preliminary discussion/brief, the Freelancer may renegotiate the fee, deadline, or entire contract.

  • If the project is lengthy, the Freelancer may invoice periodically for completed stages.

  • The Freelancer guarantees that any work he subcontracts on behalf of the Client will be completed to the same standard, schedule and budget and with the same conditions of confidentiality.

  • Either the Client or the Freelancer has the right to terminate a contract for services if there is a serious breach of its terms.

  • Force Majeure is in effect for the duration of the agreement, meaning the Freelancer is not liable for any failure of or delay in the performance of work if circumstances are beyond their control (severe illness, energy supply loss, etc). Under these circumstances, work arrangements can be suspended by either party until it is possible for work resume.

  • The Freelancer must be credited for his work (e.g. byline) where appropriate, unless agreed beforehand.

Payment

  • All work is subject to a deposit, i.e. a sum of the total fee, before its commencement.

  • Unless agreed otherwise at the outset, relevant invoices are submitted to the Client upon agreement and completion of work.

  • Also unless agreed otherwise, payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of the Freelancer's invoice, according to the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (amended 2002 and 2013).

  • Failure to deliver payment on time (see above) will be met with a minimum £40 invoice in compensation, as well as accruing interest, as per Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act.

  • All work specified after it has been agreed upon is subject to kill fees if the Client decides to terminate the work. Whatever the case, if work has been completed and to at least the standard expected, Client will compensate the Freelancer with total of agreed fee.

legal & copyright

  • As is the role of the publisher, The Client will indemnify the author against action for defamation or any other action.

  • Any content created by the Freelancer and submitted to the Client as writing is copyright of the Freelancer, unless otherwise agreed.

  • Client does not hold rights to any content – therefore content is not publishable by the client – until full payment has been received by the Freelancer.

  • This agreement is subject to the laws of England and Wales [or Scots or Northern Ireland law, as appropriate], and both Freelancer and Client agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh [or Scots or Northern Ireland] courts.

Updated 22/06/2020