1. Interpretation

In the Conditions, the following expressions shall (unless the context requires) have the following meanings;
“Client” means the firm or company to whom a Quotation is addressed or for whom a Service is carried out;
“Company” means Inspection Consultants Ltd;
“Conditions” means these standard conditions relating to the Services which form part of the Contract;
“Confidential Information” means all information, data, software, knowledge, drawings, designs, specifications, hardware, inventions, either patented and/or patentable or not, know-how, manufacturing processes, inspection methods and processes as well as any design, document, digital media and material or product sample, matter or thing of a secret, proprietary, confidential or private nature even if not expressly identified or defined as “confidential”, that are related to or otherwise directly or indirectly connected with the Services, business of the Company, and/or the Company’s customers including matters of a technical nature (such as know-how, processes, data and techniques), matters of a business nature (such as information about schedules, costs, profits, markets, sales, customers, Company’s contractual dealings with each other), matters of a proprietary nature (such as information about patents, patent applications, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks), other information of a similar nature, which is to be made available by the Company, which if disclosed will be liable to cause harm to the Company;
“Contract” means the contract for the supply of Service of which the Conditions form part;
“Law” means the laws of England and Wales, as the applicable law of the Quotation, the Conditions and the Contract;
“Losses” means all losses, liabilities, claims, costs, expenses, damages, actions, awards, penalties and/or fines, obligations and also includes all losses, liabilities, costs and expenses in relation to or resulting from any demands, claims or proceedings;
“Price” means the price stated in the Quotation, or otherwise agreed with the Client together with all other sums due pursuant to the Conditions;
“Quotation” means the Company’s quotation (whether written or oral) of which the Conditions form part;
“Report(s)” means any certificate, technical report, non-destructive test or inspection record, drawing, spreadsheet, recommendation, advice or the like issued by the Company in respect of a Service;
“Service(s)” means the service(s) specified in the Quotation to be supplied by the Company under the Contract.

2. Quotation

2.1 The Quotation constitutes an offer by the Company to provide Services subject to the Conditions and is open for acceptance for seven days only from the date of the Quotation unless previously withdrawn by the Company. Acceptance is based on the receipt of an instruction in writing by the Company.
2.2 Except in accordance with the Conditions no variation of the Contract will be accepted unless agreed in writing by the Company.
2.3 In case of discrepancy, the Quotation shall prevail over any terms or conditions (whether or not inconsistent with the Quotation and/or the Conditions) contained or referred to in any correspondence, order, documentation submitted by the Client or elsewhere. Further no condition, statement or representation neither orally nor contained in any advertisement or brochure or in any trade or promotional circular or other literature, nor the terms or conditions of any trade association or other body, or which would or might but for this sub-paragraph be implied or incorporated by custom or trade, usage, negotiations, course of dealing or otherwise shall be deemed to be incorporated in the Contract and all of the same are hereby expressly excluded from the Contract.

3. Price

3.1 The Price is based on information available to the Company at the date of the Quotation. If during the period of the Contract there shall be any variation in the cost of materials, labour or otherwise to the Company, the Price may be adjusted to take account of such variation.
3.2 In addition to the amount specified in the Quotation the following shall be payable if appropriate:
3.2.1 any applicable tax and value added tax;
3.2.2 package, insurance, freight, travel costs, bank charges, Sample destruction costs, storage charges and disbursements incurred on behalf of the Client, whether on the Company’s premises or elsewhere, and to include storage charges on the Company’s premises;
3.2.3 insurance incurred by the Company, in its absolute discretion, in respect of any property belonging to the Client in the possession of the Company;
3.2.4 with prior notice, the cost of all sub-contractors employed by the Company unless included in the Quotation;
3.2.5 any additional costs incurred by the Company in accordance with the Conditions; and
3.2.6 any special standards or specifications required for the performance of the Service.

4. Payment

4.1 The Price shall be paid to the Company in full, in cleared funds, without any deduction, set-off or counterclaim within thirty days of the date of the Company’s invoice. Time of payment is of the essence to the Contract. In default of payment within the thirty days, the Company may:
– suspend any further Service being carried out for the Client; and/or
– withhold the provision of Reports; alter or withdraw credit terms; and amend terms, prices or service levels.
The amount outstanding from time to time shall bear interest (both before and after any judgment) at the rate of 4% per annum above the Royal Bank of Scotland plc base rate from time to time from the due date for payment until payment in full is made.
4.2 All payments due to the Company shall be payable within and not later than the specified time irrespective of whether or not the Client has recovered payment from a third party and, for the avoidance of doubt, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, this includes payments of fees due to the Company acting as experts or as expert witnesses when instructed by solicitors acting for a party to a dispute.
4.3 If, in the Company’s reasonable view, the Client’s credit-worthiness deteriorates before completion of the Service, the Company may require payment in full or in part of the Price prior to completion, or the provision of security for payment by the Client in such form as is acceptable to the Company.
4.4 The Company has a general lien on all the Client’s property in the Company’s possession in satisfaction of any amount owed by the Client to the Company under the Contract, and may deal with it as it sees fit.

5. Execution of Services

5.1 The Client shall supply as much information as possible about the Service requirement in order to assist in achieving efficient Services. Where information relating to the Service requirements is incorrect and the Company is involved in additional work, the Company reserves the right to charge for such additional work.
5.2 Unless specific prior instructions in writing are received by the Company any test shall be carried out on the sample in the state in which the sample is received. The Company reserves the right to charge for any work required to be carried out to the sample prior to the performance of the Service.
5.3 A general description of the method used in the performance of the Services shall be given verbally on request. Where written descriptions of detailed procedures are requested, whether as part of the Report or issued separately, the Company reserves the right to make an additional charge. If the method referenced in the Report represents the end product of development work carried out at the Company’s expense, the method shall only be revealed at the discretion of the Company.
5.4 The Company may, at its sole discretion, subject to a previous written agreement with the Client, undertake to give priority in carrying out a particular Service. A surcharge may be imposed by the Company for the carrying out of priority work. Details of these arrangements will be issued by the Company on request.

6. Samples subject of legal proceedings

If the Service is, or is potentially, both directly and indirectly, the subject of legal proceedings, this fact must be notified to the Company in writing before the Service is carried out. If that fact is not disclosed to the Company at that stage, the Company may not, in its absolute discretion, be prepared to provide expert testimony.

7. Disclaimer/Liability

7.1 The following provisions of this Condition 7 set out the entire liability of the Company, its employees, agents and sub-contractors to the Client howsoever arising.
7.2 The Company does not exclude its liability (if any) to the Client:
7.2.1 for breach of the Company’s obligations arising under section 12 Sale of Goods Act 1979 or section 2 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982;
7.2.2 for personal injury or death resulting from the Company’s negligence;
7.2.3 under section 2(3) of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, only in case the Client is a natural person who it is determined that, in relation with the Services supply, deal as a consumer (within the meaning of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977);
7.2.4 for any matter which it would be illegal for the Company to exclude or to attempt to exclude its liability; or
7.2.5 for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
7.3 Except as provided in Condition 7.2 the Company shall not be liable to the Client whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise for any loss of profit, loss of business, loss of market, loss of contract, damage to goodwill, loss of anticipated savings, loss of revenue, loss or damage incurred as a result of third party claims or any indirect or consequential loss howsoever caused.
7.4 Subject to Condition 7.2 and Condition 7.3, the Company’s aggregate liability under the Contract (whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise) arising out of or in connection with the performance or contemplated performance of the Contract or any delay in performance or failure to perform by the Company or otherwise howsoever arising shall be limited to the Price.
7.5 Subject to the other provisions of the Conditions and should mandatory provisions of Law require so, any claim by the Client against the Company shall be made in writing and notified to the Company in accordance with such mandatory provisions of Law requirements relating to the Service.
7.6 All Services are undertaken in good faith, to a reasonable standard of care and on a confidential basis. Reports are issued on the basis of information known to the Company at the time that the Services are carried out. Although the Company will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure accuracy, the Services depend, inter alia, on the effective co-operation of the Client, its staff and on the information submitted to the Company. Save as required by law, no representation or warranty, whether express or implied or otherwise as to the accuracy of a Report is given by the Company. In consequence, all Reports are prepared on the basis that:
7.6.1 there is no responsibility to any person or body other than the Client;
7.6.2 they are not carried out for any particular purpose and no statement is to be deemed, in any circumstances to be or give rise to a representation, undertaking, warranty or contractual condition unless specifically stated;
7.6.3 they are determined solely by the professional analysis undertaken by the Company’s staff on each individual Contract and any forecasts by the Company of the results is an estimate only;
7.6.4 the Company is entitled to be paid the Price irrespective of the results or conclusions reached in the Report;
7.6.5 the results of the Services shall address the items and information submitted only and are not to be regarded as representative of any larger population from which the Sample was taken; and
7.6.6 the results are final and approved by the Company. The Company shall be under no liability where the Client has acted on preliminary, unapproved results or advice.
7.7 All time limits, if any, for the provision of the Services are estimates and no undertaking is given to carry out the Services or to despatch any Report within any period of time.
7.8 The Company shall not be liable to the Client or be deemed to be in breach of the Contract by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of the Company’s obligations in relation to the Services, if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond the Company’s reasonable control. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, causes beyond the Company’s reasonable control shall include an Act of God, explosion, adverse weather conditions, flood, earthquake, tempest, fire, accident, war or threat of war, acts or threats of terrorism, sabotage, insurrection, riot, civil disturbance, requisition, acts, restrictions, regulations, bye-laws, prohibitions or measures of any kind on the part of the governmental, parliamentary or local authority, import or export regulations or embargoes, strikes, lock-outs or other industrial actions or trade disputes (whether involving employees of the Company or of a third party), difficulties in obtaining raw materials, labour, fuel, parts or machinery, power failure or breakdown in machinery.

7.9 Except where the Services are provided to a natural person who it is determined that deal as a consumer (within the meaning of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977), all warranties, conditions or other terms express or implied, statutory, customary or otherwise are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
7.10 Where
– the Client is a natural person who it is determined that, in relation with the Services supply, deal as a consumer (within the meaning of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977) and
– the Services are provided under a consumer transaction (as defined by the Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order 1976 as amended),
the statutory rights of the Client are not affected by the Conditions.
7.11 The Client acknowledges that the above provisions of this Condition 7 are reasonable and reflected in the Price which would be higher without those provisions and the Client will accept such risk and/or insure accordingly.

8. Obligations of Client

8.1 The Client shall provide with the Service a unique purchase order or unique reference or unique authorisation with sufficient detail to allow the Company to relate it to a specific Quotation and Service and the Company shall be entitled in good faith to rely upon such purchase order or reference provided to carry out the Service.
8.2 The Client may reproduce or replicate any Report in the form provided by the Company but shall not, without the written consent of the Company, reproduce or replicate any Report which has been modified from the form provided by the Company.
8.3 The Client shall be bound to inform the Company in writing prior to the Company carrying out any Service on a sample that is of a dangerous or unstable nature and provide instruction on the safe handling of the Sample. The Client shall indemnify the Company from and against all Losses suffered by the Company, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, all damage to the Company’s property and all claims in respect of injury to or deaths of any of the Company’s employees, sub-contractors or agents or of any third party, directly or indirectly arising from or in connection with the failure of the Client to inform the Company.
8.4 The Client agrees to indemnify, keep indemnified and hold harmless the Company from and against all Losses which the Company may suffer or incur arising out of or as a result of any breach or negligent performance or failure in performance by the Client of the terms of the Contract or breach of any law or any claim threatened or made against the Company by any third party arising out of the Services or out of any delay in performing or failure to perform the Services.
8.5 Where Services are provided at the premises of the Client, the Client will be responsible for providing, in compliance with, at least, any and all requirements provided under the Law, a safe system of work for the Company and its employees while providing the Service and the Client shall be responsible for all costs necessarily required in discharging this obligation and shall indemnify the Company, its employees, sub-contractors and agents in respect of
all Losses suffered as a result of and/or in connection with any breach by the Client hereof.

9. Ownership, copyright and patents in relation to Services

9.1 All copyright in records, scientific documentary, primary data or electronic means of handling data produced during any Service shall belong to and remain the property of the Company unless otherwise agreed as part of the Contract.
9.2 Ownership and copyright in the Report shall remain with the Company until the Client has discharged all its obligations under the Contract, including payment of the Price whereupon the title, ownership and copyright shall pass to the Client unless the Company is forced to part with any such report, or information of any nature, to any body exercising its statutory powers
In any case, ownership and copyright in the Report shall pass to the Client, provided that:
– the Company determines that it is related to the Service exclusively performed to the Client and it may not be applied and/or used to any other Service to be performed to any other Client and
– the Company receives a royalty free license to use, have used, make, have made, modify, have modified, and sublicense for its normal business purposes.
9.3 The Client hereby warrants that it will not use the Report or any other reports, results, or information supplied by the Company for the purposes of advertisement or publication to third parties. Any such issue of the Report or other reports, results or information is permitted under the Contract only with the prior written consent of the Company who shall have the right to increase the Price where it consents to such advertisement and/or publication.
9.4 The Client hereby undertakes to abide by any regulations imposed by Certification Authorities, Standard Owners, Accreditation Bodies or the Department of Trade and Industry of Her Majesty’s Government relating to marks, emblems or logos attached to the Reports or any other documents issued under the Service.
9.5 All inventions arising from the Contract and any applications for patents or similar protection, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere shall be the property of the Client (once all payments due to the Company under the Contract have been discharged), but the Company is hereby granted an irrevocable royalty free licence, with the right to sub-licence, to apply them or any information gained to work outside the specific field in which the development for the Client took place.

10. Sub-contracting and assignment

10.1 Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the Contract and/or obligations under any accreditation or governing approval, the Company shall be entitled to sub-contract the whole of or any part of the Service.
10.2 The Company may assign, delegate, licence or hold on trust, all or any part of its rights or obligations under the Contract.
10.3 The Contract is personal to the Client which may not assign, delegate, licence, hold on trust or sub-contract all or any of its rights or obligations under the Contract without the Company’s prior written consent.

11. Termination

11.1 The Client shall not terminate the Contract without the written consent of the Company which may be subject to such terms, as in the Company’s absolute discretion, recompense the Company for all loss (including loss of profit) it may suffer as a result of termination.
11.2 The Company may terminate the Contract and any other contract with the Client forthwith, without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to the Company and without the Company incurring any liability to the Client, in the following circumstances:
11.2.1 if the Client shall commit a breach of any terms of the Contract or any other contract with the Company unless such breach is capable of remedy and the Client has failed to comply with a notice requiring remedy within the period specified in the said notice;
11.2.2 if the Client fails to make payment of the Price within and not later than the specified time;
11.2.3 the Client makes any voluntary arrangement with its creditors or becomes subject to an administration order or (being an individual or firm) becomes bankrupt or (being a company) goes into liquidation (otherwise than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction) or ceases or suspends payment of any of its debts or is unable to pay its debts as they fall due within the meaning of section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986;
11.2.4 an encumbrance takes possession, or a receiver or administrator is appointed, over any of the property or assets of the Client;
11.2.5 the Client ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business;
11.2.6 the Company reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned at Conditions 12.2.3, 12.2.4 or 12.2.5 above is about to occur in relation to the Client and notifies the Client accordingly; and
11.2.7 as provided in Condition 8.3.
11.3 Notwithstanding that the Company terminates the Contract, this shall be without prejudice to the accrued rights and remedies of the parties prior to termination of the Contract and any rights or remedies under the Conditions, which shall remain in force, including the right to suspend all further Services to be made under any other contract with the Client (and in such event the Client shall not be released from any of its obligations to the Company under any other contract) and the right for the Company to receive full compensation for its loss under the Contract or any other contract with the Client.
11.4 On termination of the Contract pursuant to Condition 12.2, any indebtedness of the Client to the Company shall become immediately due and payable.

12. Changes
12.1 In case of:
– any Client directed changes in the Service;
– any differing site conditions or changes in the Service performance including technical specifications;
– any changes in laws or regulatory requirements.
the Company shall change the Service performance accordingly, subject to the previous written acceptance of the relevant and appropriate Quotation by the Client in accordance with Condition 2.1.

13. Confidentiality

13.1 All Confidential Information shall be kept by the Client in the strictest confidence. Save for the purposes of fulfilling its obligations under the Contract, the Client shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose, divulge or grant access to the Confidential Information which it has received and shall not permit any of its employees, agents or officers to disclose, divulge or grant access to such Confidential Information.
13.2 Notwithstanding Condition 13.1, the Client may disclose Confidential Information which it has received if:
13.2.1 it is required to do so by any governmental, local government or regulatory authority or by law (but then only to the extent it is strictly required to do so);
13.2.2 it is strictly necessary for the purpose only of obtaining professional advice in relation to the Contract;
13.2.3 it is already known to the Client prior to the time of disclosure by the Company (where the Client can prove the same with documentary evidence); or
13.2.3 it is information which subsequently becomes public knowledge other than by breach of the Contract by the Client.
13.3 The obligations of the Parties under this Condition 13 shall continue to apply without limit of time.

14. General

14.1 Each right or remedy of the Company under any contract is without prejudice to any other right or remedy of the Company under this Contract or any other contract.
14.2 Nothing in the Conditions shall create or be deemed to create a partnership between the Parties.
14.3 Without prejudice to as provided in Condition 2.3, the Conditions, the Quotation and the Contract contain all the provisions which the Parties have agreed in relation to the subject matter of the Contract and supersede any prior written or oral agreements, representations or understandings between the Parties. The Client agrees that it has not been induced to enter into the Conditions or the Contract by a statement or promise which they do not contain save that the Conditions shall not exclude any liability which the Company would otherwise have to the Client in respect of any statements made fraudulently by the Company.
14.4 In the event of one or more of the provisions of the Conditions being held by a competent authority to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Conditions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected thereby.
14.5 All notices to be served by one Party on the other must be in writing and shall be deemed duly delivered or served at the time of service if delivered personally and forty eight hours after posting if posted by first class or airmail pre-paid post in each case to the registered address, if applicable, or if not applicable the last known address of the other party.
14.6 No failure or delay by the Company to exercise any right, power or remedy will operate as a waiver of it nor will any partial exercise preclude any further exercise of the same or of some other right, power or remedy.
14.7 For the purpose of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, the Quotation and the Conditions do not and are not intended to give any rights or any right to enforce any of its provisions to any person who is not a Party to it.
14.8 The Quotation, Conditions and the Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the Client submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.