General terms and conditions (GTC)
1. Scope
These General Terms and Conditions apply to all business relationships between SprachUnion (Owner: András Drencsényi, Annaberger Str. 240, 09125 Chemnitz, VAT ID: DE288695090) (hereafter: “We” or “Our”) and its clients (hereafter: “Client” or “Clients”) relating to interpreting services (on-site, remote and video interpreting).
Any deviating conditions requested by the Client shall become effective only if expressly confirmed in writing. By placing an order, the Client acknowledges these GTC.
2. Placing orders and contract conclusion
An order is only considered accepted once We have confirmed it in writing. The order must clearly define the type of interpreting, scope, location (for on-site assignments), platform (for remote assignments), date, and working hours agreed. Amendments or ancillary agreements must be made in writing. We reserve the right to cancel an order if circumstances subsequently come to light that give rise to doubts about the Client’s ability to pay.
3. Scope of interpreting services
Interpreting services exclusively cover the oral language transfer during the agreed assignment period. The following in particular are not included in these services:
The outcome of an interpreting service is a meaning-based oral rendition of spoken content. A verbatim reproduction cannot be guaranteed by the nature of the service. Interpreting services do not constitute specialist, legal, or medical advice.
4. Copyright and use
Interpreting services are intended solely for direct listening. Recordings, recordings of individual segments, livestreams, or any other forms of later utilisation require the prior written consent of the interpreter. Copyright remains with the respective interpreter.
5. Client’s obligations to cooperate
The Client is obliged to provide all documents required for preparation (e.g. agendas, presentations, speech manuscripts, participant lists) no later than 14 calendar days before the assignment begins.
The Client shall ensure:
We accept no liability for delays, quality deficiencies, or failures attributable to insufficient cooperation on the part of the Client.
6. Remote and video interpreting
The Client is responsible for:
The interpreter provides their own devices and a standard internet connection. No liability is accepted for technical disruptions outside Our sphere of influence (e.g. platform outages, poor audio quality, connection problems, software errors).
7. Technical and organisational requirements
For simultaneous and conference interpreting, the relevant technical standards apply (e.g. DIN EN ISO 2603, DIN EN ISO 4043).
If these are not met, We are entitled to suspend or discontinue the service without any entitlement to a reduction in fees arising.
8. Working hours and team size
The standard assignment duration for one interpreter is:
For longer assignments, a team of at least two interpreters is required. Unless otherwise agreed, a minimum booking of half a working day applies. Travel time, waiting time, and expenses will be charged separately.
9. Prices and payment terms
All prices are net plus statutory VAT. Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due before the assignment begins. Services will only be provided once payment has been received. Additional or enhanced services (e.g. rush orders, weekend work, specialist subject areas) may be charged separately.
10. Cancellation and cancellation fees
In the event of cancellation by the Client, the following cancellation fees apply:
Costs already incurred (e.g. travel, preparation and organisational costs) must also be reimbursed by the Client.
11. Liability
We are liable only for intent and gross negligence. In cases of minor negligence, We are only liable for breaches of material contractual obligations and limited to foreseeable damage. We accept no liability in particular for:
Liability is limited in amount to twice the value of the order, and to a maximum of EUR 20,000.
12. Use of third parties
We are entitled to deploy qualified interpreters or subcontractors. The business relationship exists exclusively between the Client and SprachUnion. Directly commissioning or soliciting interpreters who have been deployed by SprachUnion is not permitted without written consent.
13. Confidentiality
All information transmitted in connection with the order will be treated confidentially. We also oblige any third parties deployed to maintain confidentiality. However, complete protection of electronically transmitted data cannot be guaranteed.
14. Data protection
The Client consents to the storage and processing of their data within the scope of the business relationship.
15. Right of withdrawal (Client)
Clients generally have a right of withdrawal of 14 days. However, the right of withdrawal expires early if the Client expressly requests that the service begin before the withdrawal period expires, and the service has been fully rendered. In the case of partial performance, a proportionate amount is payable.
16. Force majeure
In the event of force majeure (e.g. illness, strike, technical failures, official measures), We are entitled to reschedule the appointment or withdraw from the contract. Claims for damages are excluded.
17. Governing law and jurisdiction
The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, to exclusion of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. The place of jurisdiction is, where legally permissible, Chemnitz.
18. Severability clause
Should individual provisions of these GTC be or become invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
19. Amendments to the GTC
We reserve the right to amend these GTC. Amendments will be communicated to the Client and shall be deemed accepted unless objected to within two weeks.