Terms and conditions (T&Cs)

These terms and conditions are written in Plain English with you in mind. For more information on my Plain English editing services, click here.

1. General Information

These terms and conditions regulate your interactions with me. You accept these terms when agreeing to your order, and they are valid during our entire interaction and in the future. I do not agree to any changes to these terms and conditions, nor will I deviate from them.

2. Services

Our contract begins when you agree, whether in text or speech, to my offer for proofreading, editing, translation, transcription or any other service I provide. An e-mail trail works as a sufficient contract, in agreement with these terms and conditions.

I will only provide the services you agree to. This document explains the scope of my services.

I offer proofreading, editing, German–English translation, transcription of audio files, formatting and reference checks. I reserve the right to amend these services at any time. I offer all my services in English and German.

I do not promise perfection, but I will try my best to polish your text.

The goal of proofreading is to reduce mistakes in spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence construction. To this end, I will either make changes or comments in Microsoft Word (or any other related software), and all changes will be tracked. You are responsible for implementing the changes I suggest.

You acknowledge that some mistakes may remain in the text even after proofreading. If your original text has a large number of mistakes (more than 20 on a page on average), this can affect the possibility that mistakes remain in the proofread text.

The goal of editing is similarly to reduce mistakes in terms of spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence construction. I will also provide you suggestions to improve your style and content. In cases of academic editing, I will also review appendices and back matter including footnotes. As with proofreading, I will either make changes or comments in Microsoft Word (or any other related software), and all changes will be tracked. You are responsible for implementing the changes I suggest.

You acknowledge that some mistakes may remain in the text even after editing. If your original text has a large number of mistakes (more than 20 on a page on average), this can affect the possibility that mistakes remain in the proofread text. I will not review the facts you present, nor will I research your sources, as this is your responsibility as an author.

I transcribe audio files to the best of my ability and in line with proper professional guidelines. This also applies for translation projects. For both transcriptions and translations, you will receive your final documents in the file format you desire; I usually send PDF and/or Word files.

3. Payment

Unless we agree otherwise, the prices listed on my website at the time of your order will apply. I will also include these in the price proposal. These prices are also binding if there are any changes (additions, removals or modifications) to your order.

All prices apply exclusively to proofreading and editing as well as to transcriptions and translations in Word documents. If you request any services that require a PDF file or in paper form, you must inform me before confirming the order, as I may charge an additional fee for this service.

The prices we agree to for one order may not apply to any future orders. I calculate my prices using those listed on my website. These are based on word count, the extent of services you need and how quickly you need them. Prices for audio transcriptions are calculated by their length and the quality of the recording.

You are responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred for your order, including postage, shipping or client-specific software (not including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat or any free software).

Unless we agree otherwise, you must pay as soon as you receive your invoice and no later than 14 days after receipt. If your invoice is severely overdue, additional financial and legal consequences may apply.

4. Client Responsibilities

You must inform me of how you intend to use the text I will work on, especially if it is used for legal purposes or will be widely circulated (a published book, for example). You cannot make any claims against me if you use the text I have worked on for any other purpose than what you claimed.

If you want me to use certain terms (business or academic jargon or words borrowed from a foreign language), you must inform me before I start work. You must also inform me if you wish to retain certain spellings that deviate from the current Duden for German texts or standard British or American English spelling. This information should be sent in a style sheet along with your text. I will provide a sample style sheet if you require it.

You cannot make any claims against me if you have not provided me the information I need to complete your order to your liking.

5. Processing time and delivery

I endeavour to meet your deadlines punctually and reliably. I do not assume any liability for delays caused by greater force for which no one is responsible (natural disasters, ‘acts of God’, and so on). All times agreed to refer to Central European Time (CET) or Central European Summer Time (CEST), depending on the relevant date.

If I am responsible for a delay longer than reasonable, you may withdraw from our contract without penalty.

I will return your texts in the format you desire, usually by e-mail. I assume no liability for a loss of the texts once I send them. Our contract is fulfilled once I have sent the documents as agreed. You accept full risk for any issues that may arise if documents are sent electronically. You are responsible for a final check of the files sent, as the data may have been corrupted. I accept no liability for damage caused by computer viruses or malware.

6. Liability for Defects

Since revisions of style and content depend heavily on my feel for language, they are only to be understood as suggestions for improvement. You are responsible for checking these suggestions and incorporating them into your work as you see fit. I therefore am not liable for final stylistic corrections and editing.

I am, however, liable for errors in the case of demonstrable intent or gross negligence, but not more than the amount of the relevant invoice. If I do not provide the service you paid for, you can file a complaint within five (5) working days of receiving your texts. In the complaint, you must state what section of text you found to have errors, using the comment function on the relevant software. If your complaint is valid, and you have demonstrated that I have grossly neglected to provide the service you paid for, you will receive a full refund. You cannot make a claim more than five (5) business days after receiving your texts from me.

If your complaint is justified and you are not seeking a full refund, you must allow me a reasonable amount of time to make improvements at no cost to you, accounting for any other orders I must complete in the meantime. I will reduce or refund your costs if I am unable or refuse to make any follow-up corrections.

If you do not object to my work, you assume full responsibility for your text as soon as you receive and accept it or no longer than five (5) business days after I have sent it to you. I do not accept any responsibility for changes you have made after I have returned your documents, even within the five-day complaint period.

You alone are responsible for the legality of the content of your text, even while I am handling it. I reserve the right to refuse services for texts I find objectionable.

7. Confidentiality

I will only save your data (name, address, and so on) for my own use and will not pass it on to others. However, I am not liable for your data if it is accessed illegally (‘hacked’ or stolen).

All texts and audio files are treated confidentially. I will keep the content of your work secret. You accept all risk when transferring the data to me electronically. I cannot guarantee absolute protection of electronically transmitted data and information, as it is always possible that unauthorised persons may gain electronic access to this information.

8. Closing Provisions

Our business relationship/contract is exclusively subject to German law. The relevant court is located in Wiesbaden.

These terms and conditions apply to all of our interactions. If any changes in law affect one part of these terms, they do not affect the validity of any other parts. If any part of these terms and conditions are rules unlawful or legally invalid, the remaining text is unaffected.

Valid from 3 March 2023