Terms and conditions

Introduction

These terms and conditions are provided to give you (the Client) the clearest possible idea of what you can expect when working with me (the Freelancer). It also covers what I will require from you in return so that each job can be as successful as possible.

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General

1. These terms and conditions apply to any work done for the Client by the Freelancer.

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2. The Freelancer will provide the Client with such services as have been agreed upon in writing, on a basis that has been mutually predetermined.

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3. The Client is under obligation to offer the Freelancer work. Nor is the Freelancer under obligation to accept work from the Client.

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

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5. The Freelancer confirms that she is self-employed, responsible for her own income tax and National Insurance contributions and will not claim benefits granted to the Client's employees.

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6. The Freelancer confirms that she is not VAT-registered and is not required to be at the present time.

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Agreements between the Client and the Freelancer

1. Before the Freelancer begins work, she and the Client will agree on the following:

• The type of work required, e.g. proofreading, copy editing, or content editing

• The format in which the work will be done (MS Word, Adobe PDF, or on paper)

• How proofreading/editing will be done, e.g. track changes in MS Word; annotations on Adobe PDF; BSI proofreading symbols on paper

• How work-related documents will be exchanged, e.g. by email or post

• How long the work will take, in accordance with the Freelancer’s advice, after she has reviewed a sample of the appropriate length as outlined on her Services web page

• The date by which the Client will provide the document(s) to be proofread/edited to the Freelancer

• The project deadline (the final date and time by which the work must be returned to the Client)

• An agreed fee for the project, as negotiated by the Freelancer and the Client and confirmed in writing

• Terms of payment for the agreed fee (which, unless agreed otherwise, will be made within 30 days of the Client’s receipt of the invoice)

• Any reasonable additional expenses, such as postage, that the Client will cover/reimburse for the Freelancer

• Contact details that will enable the Freelancer to reach the Client when needed.

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2. If, when the Freelancer receives the document(s) to be worked on, or at an early stage of the work process, it becomes apparent that significantly more work is required than had been anticipated in the preliminary discussion, sample, or briefing stages, the Freelancer may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline.

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3. If, during the work process, the Client requests that the Freelancer perform additional tasks, the Freelancer may renegotiate the fee and/or the deadline.

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4. If the project is particularly lengthy, the Freelancer may invoice the Client for completed stages. This, and the corresponding invoice amounts, will be agreed upon with the Client at an appropriate point.

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5.  While every effort will be made on the part of the Freelancer to provide the Client with the best possible level of service, if the Client feels that the Freelancer's work is unsatisfactory, the Freelancer will rectify it in her own time and at her own expense.

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Cancellations

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

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2. The Client may cancel the arranged services at any time by providing written notice. The Freelancer must respond with a written acknowledgement for this to be valid.

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3. Although the Freelancer will make every effort to ensure the arranged work is completed, if circumstances arise which mean that she must cancel the arranged services, she will provide written notice to the Client at the earliest opportunity. If required, she will also do her best to assist the Client in finding an alternative proofreading/editing service provider.

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4. Similarly, if either the Client or the Freelancer is affected by unforeseen circumstances which mean the work must be cancelled or delayed (such as illness, family emergency, etc), contact should be made at the first opportunity. The work can then be renegotiated or cancelled, as appropriate, in line with the above clauses.

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Confidentiality and Copyright

1. The information that the Client and the Freelancer may keep on record is covered by the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). No more such information will be held than is necessary, at any time, to comply with those terms and with the Freelancer’s privacy policy, which is available to view on her website. The Client and the Freelancer agree that, where consent is required to hold or process such data, such consent has been requested and obtained and both facts can be demonstrated. Either may view the other’s records to ensure that they are relevant, correct and up to date.

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2. All content transferred to the Freelancer by the Client, for the purposes of proofreading/editing, remains the property of the Client.

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3. The Freelancer may, with the Client’s permission, use the Client's name in her promotional material (eg reviews featured on the Freelancer’s website).

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4. If the Freelancer has made a substantial contribution to a project’s proofreading/editing, or project management, she will be entitled to receive one free copy of the work.

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5. The Client is not required to acknowledge the Freelancer within a project, should it be published. However, if such an acknowledgement is to be included, the Freelancer will be given the opportunity to review it prior to publication and decline to be mentioned if she so wishes.

 

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Legal

1. This agreement is subject to the laws of England and Wales, and both the Freelancer and the Client agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.

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These terms and conditions are effective of, and were last updated on, 21 October 2020.