Terms and Conditions for Provision of BSL/English Interpreters by Interpreting Matters Ltd
General Conduct
All interpreters provided by Interpreting Matters Ltd shall be appropriately trained and registered or regulated by the NRCPD or RBSLI.
The contractor will ensure that for the entire period of the assignment and after, they will not directly or indirectly, solicit or procure the independent services of the interpreter. Any subsequent requests for the interpreter must be referred through Interpreting Matters Ltd.
Payment
This is an agreement between Interpreting Matters Ltd and the booker to provide interpreter/s as specified in the request and confirmation of booking. No booking is confirmed until we confirm in writing to you.
Fees will be discussed at the time of booking and confirmation. Travel time may be negotiated by some interpreters due to the length of distance travelled, which shall be discussed and agreed prior to the booking proceeding. A percentage of the full agreed fee may be added to the overall cost if the assignment runs overtime. An element of the fee charged will be for our administration costs.
Terms are strictly twenty-one days from date of invoice. Any queries in respect of our invoice must be discussed within seven days of the invoice date. We understand and will exercise our statutory right to claim interest and compensation for debt recovery costs under the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1988 if we are not paid according to our terms.
Cancellations
Once the interpreter has been booked, whether by phone, email, fax, SMS or letter a contractual agreement is immediately entered. In the event of a cancellation of the agreement the purchasers/bookers are liable for the following charges:
7 days or less notice – 100% fee
8 - 14 days’ notice – 50% fee
15 days or more – no fee
The notice period commences the following day after being informed of the cancellation. Under no circumstances are postponed assignments accepted under this or interpreted as the same as the original agreement. Fees will therefore not be wavered for postponed or rearranged assignments. In the event of an assignment being dramatically changed from what was stated at time of requesting and booking, the interpreter booked reserves the right to withdraw with full pay.
Travel Expenses
The transport deemed most suitable by the interpreter will be used unless a transport mode is stipulated at the time of booking. Standard class tickets will be purchased for rail and/or air travel. If the interpreter travels by car a charge of not less than 45p per mile will be made. Car parking and taxi fares will be charged at cost.
Failure to attend
If any person/s relying on the interpreters' service has failed to attend, the interpreter will wait approximately 20-40 minutes before departing, after consultation with the organiser if possible. This will be applicable to all assignments with the full and agreed fee still payable.
If the interpreter is unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, every means possible will be undertaken to find a suitable replacement or assistance will be provided in obtaining a suitable replacement.
Co-Interpreters
It is preferable for most assignments with a lasting duration of over 2 hours for more than one interpreter to be booked. If a co-interpreter/other support has been booked but fails to attend, then the interpreter attending may charge an additional 50% - 100% for the extra workload. This also may occur if two interpreters are necessary but only one has been booked. No interpreter should be forced or coerced at any time into lone working by either Interpreting Matters or the people using the interpreting service.
All co-interpreters booked to work with Interpreting Matters interpreters must be registered with the NRCPD as RSLI or TSLI or with the RBSLI. If they are not registered with the NRCPD or RBSLI the Interpreting Matters interpreter may request that the unregistered interpreter be removed from the job and if this does not happen the Interpreting Matters interpreter may remove themselves from the booking and a full cancellation fee will apply.
There may be exceptions to requiring a co-interpreter which will be discussed at the time of the booking. If three or more interpreters are engaged to work an assignment, one interpreter will be designated team leader and may charge a premium for this responsibility and additional work, but they will ensure all goes smoothly on the day.
Purchaser's Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the purchaser to provide Interpreting Matters Ltd with the following:
- The name and preferred method of communication of the Deaf client if known, e.g. British Sign Language, Sign Supported English, visual frame or hands on.
- Address and phone number of the assignment venue along with any other necessary maps and travel information.
- The name and address of the person to receive and process the invoice raised by Interpreting Matters Ltd.
- Information regarding the nature of assignment along with any relevant reading materials such as agendas, minutes of previous meetings, copies of OHP's or handouts.
- A signed copy of these terms and conditions.
These terms will be considered to have been accepted once a confirmation is made with the booker by Interpreting Matters Ltd unless informed otherwise.