0151 929 7902
THE PALATINE (R & D) GROUP
BESPOKE CREDIT INFORMATION
est. 1898
Palatine Credit Information Ltd T/A Palatine R&D Group
(whose principal is a member of the Association of British Investigators)
TERMS OF BUSINESS ©
1. Introduction
These terms of business set out the basis on which we shall conduct all matters
undertaken for you and shall be read in accordance with any covering letter. Any
differences arising in respect of individual matters shall be notified to you in
writing.
2. Costs
2.1 The cost of our services shall be indicative of the type of work undertaken
and it is normal procedure for us to provide a quotation in each instance. Prices of
all standard searches however can be found on our website (www.palatine.co.uk).
If there are any changes in your instructions or the matter circumstances at any
time these shall be reflected, as we deem fit, in an amended quotation which
shall be provided to you at the earliest opportunity. In the event that we are
unable to provide a quotation we shall keep you informed of the work in progress
on a periodic basis or upon your request.
2.2 Where it is necessary to instruct a third party on your behalf, including but
not limited to external investigators, to assist with your matter we shall do so as
your agent.
3. Billing
We prefer to bill at the conclusion of a matter however we reserve the right to
render interim invoices to you during the course of the matter.
If in the event you have any particular billing requirements please advise us prior
to us commencing work.
4. Payment of Invoices
Our bills are payable at the end of the month following and we reserve the right
to charge interest at an equivalent rate of 10% per annum chargeable from time
to time on late payments.
5. Complaints & Refunds
We hope that you will have no reason to complain about the services we provide
to you. However in the event that you are not satisfied please direct your
complaint to us in the first instance. All complaints made to us will be handled in
an efficient manner and we will strive to resolve them quickly. If you provide
proof that the information that we have supplied to be incorrect or out of date
then the invoice will be cancelled (if not paid) or credited, if it has been settled.
6. Liability
The services we provide you, which shall include any information or advice given
to you, is based solely on the information you have given to us and does not
constitute advice to any third party to whom you may communicate it.
7. Rights of Third Parties
7.1 Our duties are owed only to the individual/company whose instructions we
are acting upon and we disclaim any liability to any other person. Unless
specifically agreed in writing by us in advance, you agree that you will not be
acting for another person/company.
7.2 The terms on which we are acting on your matters (contained herein or
otherwise) are intended to be enforceable solely by the instructing party and us.
7.3 We do not accept any liability for services or information provided by any
third parties instructed by us on your behalf in respect of your matters.
8. Confidentiality
8.1 We shall endeavour to treat as confidential all information concerning your
business affairs received as a result of your instructions and not to disclose the
information to any third party save to those persons whom we deem necessary to
inform unless such information (a) is or becomes generally available to the public
or (b) is required to be disclosed in any jurisdiction by any law.
8.2 We reserve the right to require you to enter into a separate confidentiality
agreement should we deem it necessary.
8.3 We reserve the right to act on behalf of other individuals/companies who
operate in your area or related area subject to our obligations of confidentiality
referred to above.
9. Publicity
From time to time we may wish to issue publicity about our company and where
there is no objection from our clients in respect of their specific matters we like to
identify certain individuals/companies and their particular transactions including
its nature and the parties involved. In the event that this is unacceptable to you
please let us know, otherwise we shall proceed on the basis that we are free to
provide details in relation to you, when appropriate.
10. Communication
We shall communicate with such of your officers, staff and other advisers as
appears to us to be appropriate. If however you have any specific security
requirements relating to the communication of information to you or your
company (as the case may be) then please let us know.
11. Termination
We reserve the right to terminate the provision of our services to you by
providing two weeks written notice delivered to your address. You may also
terminate your instructions to us on any matter at any time by providing us with
written notification. Notwithstanding any termination by either of us you agree to
pay any outstanding fees and costs incurred up to the date of termination or the
fixed fee agreed.
12. Documentation
If at the end of each matter you wish us to return or forward to you or others or
deposit in safe custody any documentation which we have acquired from you or
on your behalf in respect of such matter, please provide written instructions of
the same. In the event that we receive no instructions we shall retain such
documentation on our files for a period at our discretion not exceeding 12
months. Any subject access requests received will be dealt with by you or under
your instructions and within the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.
13. Variation of Terms
We reserve the right to amend or supplement any terms herein contained
generally or specific to any matter by providing notice in writing.
14. Governing Law
These terms of business are governed by and shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of England and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the English Courts.
15. Data Protection
For the avoidance of doubt the instructions are accepted on the basis that our
services are conducted under the direction of the client and as such we are
deemed the Data Processor and the client, and/or the principa,l is deemed Data
Controller. The handling of personal data will be in accordance with your
instructions and direction and in accordance with the Data Protection Policy
published by The Association of British Investigators www.theABI.org.uk.
We may, during the course of enquiries, leave “footprints” of our searches on
Credit Reference Agency databases, under the search purpose provided on the
subject’s credit file and it is assumed that you have obtained the subject’s
consent, for example, in the original application.