Terms and Conditions for the Provision of BSL/English Interpreting Services
1. Definitions and Parties
The Interpreter: KARL J LLORCA operating as an independent sole trader.
The Client: The individual, organisation, or agency responsible for booking and payment.
The Assignment: The specific interpreting work agreed upon, detailed in the booking confirmation.
2. Fees and Booking StructureStandard Booking Fee:
All assignments are subject to a minimum base booking fee equivalent to a half-day rate, in accordance with industry best practices outlined by NUBSLI guidance. This minimum fee applies regardless of whether the physical assignment concludes in less than 3.5 hours.
Variable Rates: The absolute fee for any assignment is variable and dependent entirely on the specific nature, complexity, technicality, and risk category of the booking (e.g., medical, legal, community, theatrical, or corporate).
Quotation: A firm fee structure will be calculated and provided in writing prior to confirming the assignment.
Overtime: Any work extending past the originally scheduled booking window will be billed in 15-minute increments at the specified hourly rate.
3. Payment Terms & Overdue Accounts
Settlement Period: Invoices will be issued upon completion of the assignment. Payment must be made in full within 28 calendar days of the invoice date.
Late Payments: Payments exceeding the 28-day window will be treated as overdue.
Statutory Interest Surcharge: In accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, the Interpreter reserves the regulatory right to charge statutory interest on overdue commercial debts. This is calculated daily at a fixed rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate in force at the time the debt becomes overdue.
Debt Recovery Compensation: In addition to interest, the Interpreter is legally entitled to claim statutory fixed compensation (£40, £70, or £100 per overdue invoice, relative to the debt value) to cover administration costs.
4. Working Conditions and Team InterpretingCo-Working / Team Rules: For continuous assignments lasting longer than 1 hour, a co-interpreter team must be booked to ensure safe practice, unless otherwise explicitly agreed in writing.
Preparation Materials: To ensure high-quality service, the Client must provide relevant briefing papers, agendas, scripts, or presentation materials at least 7 days prior to the assignment.
5. Cancellations
If the Client cancels or alters the booking after confirmation, cancellation fees apply based on the following schedule:
0 to 7 calendar days' notice: 100% of the agreed variable fee + any pre-booked, non-refundable expenses.
8 to 14 calendar days' notice: 50% of the agreed variable fee.
15 or more calendar days' notice: No fee incurred.
6. Intellectual Property & Recording RightsLive Broadcast / Recording:
The agreed fee covers live, immediate communication support only.
Media Rights: The assignment must not be filmed, recorded, live-streamed, or distributed online without prior written consent and an additional agreed media licensing fee.
7. Professional Standing & InsuranceRegistration:
The Interpreter is fully registered with the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) and abides by their Code of Professional Conduct.Insurance: The Interpreter maintains full, independent Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance.