Network Freelance Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Network Freelance and Our Terms and Conditions.
When you visit the Network Freelance website or any of its associated sub domains you
contractually agree to the following Terms and Conditions.
These Terms and Conditions may change and may get updated regularly so please visit
this page frequently to see what’s on it, as the new terms will be effective as soon
as they are online.
Definitions:
- Site – The domain name, www.networkfreelance.co.uk, and any associated sub domains
- Member - Any person or business that registers with the Site
- User – A Member who uses the site.
- Freelancer / Freelance Professional / Independent Professional – A member offering their Services to Employers
- Employers – Those wishing to contract the Services of a Freelancer
- Services – What Freelance Nation provides to its Members
- Visitor – Any person visiting the site, who is not registered
- You – either as a Visitor or Member, interacting with the Site
- We / Our – The Manager(s) of Network Freelance
- Buyers – Those individuals and companies wishing to procure the services of our Members
- Contracts / Jobs – The Freelance Employment descriptions, posted on Network Freelance by Employers looking for Services
These Terms and Conditions supersede all prior agreements between all parties and should any other term or condition contradict these Terms and Conditions, it is these Terms and Conditions which will be taken as correct.
Using the Site
Becoming a Member
Becoming a member signifies that you are agreeing completely to our terms and conditions. We reserve the right to ban people suspend or cancel their membership from the site, at our discretion.
Registering
When you register to use the services on the site we ask you to give a description about yourself and your professional background. We expect this to be as accurate as possible. You agree that the information you provide is honest and true to the best of your knowledge. You may not transfer, assign or delegate your rights or obligations (or login details) without Network Freelance’s written permission.
What we do (Our Services)
Network freelance was designed to help the freelance community, and employers of freelance professionals. To achieve this we provide the following Services:
- Job Searches – Network Freelance allows Buyers to post job descriptions online, which our Members can search through..
- Payment Processing – Network Freelance provides the mechanism for Employers to recruit Freelance Professionals, and manages the billing, and payment processing incurred during this transaction.
- Networking and Support Services – Any service (as described above) delivered by Network Freelance through the website which assists the Freelance community in getting help for projects, winning new business or assisting other Freelancers.
- Recruitment of Freelancers - The only service which carries any fees on NetworkFreelance.co.uk. Employers can post jobs for free and choose to pay if they wish to contact any of the freelancers who have applied for the jobs. The charges are £10 per contact required. No payment is required on registering and employers only pay if they wish to contact any of the freelance professionals, on a £10 per freelancer basis. Each contact is charged at £10 and when an employer requests a freelancers contact details these are used immediately. It is possible to purchase multiple contact credits in one transaction (e.g. £100 for 10 credits). There is no expiration date on unused credits.
Access to the Site
Network Freelance only grants you limited access to the site provided you adhere to the Terms and
Conditions outlined above. Members only have limited access to Network Freelance in order to utilise
the Services of the Site. We have spent considerable resources and time bringing you these Services
and you shall not copy, reproduce, modify or display any works from Network Freelance without our
explicit permission. We are happy to be referenced and cited in publications, but this is subject to
you being granted written permission from Us. Finally, You must also not use Network Freelance’s content
on another website, nor will you try to reverse engineer or interfere with any part of this Site.
Freelance Database
Our Members register and their details form the Freelance Database. As our Members are responsible
for providing their details, we can not confirm the accuracy of this information.
3rd Party Links
Any links on our Website to third party sites are not the responsibility of Network Freelance. We
don’t endorse the content of 3rd Party sites.
Correspondence between the Site and our Members
Network Freelance may send emails to You, or communicate by posting messages on the Site. You agree
to these methods of communications on becoming a member. You shall make sure your email address is
current, as we consider that if we’ve tried to contact you in this way it’s been received by You. Please
check these pages regularly for any updates.
Professional Conduct
We expect our members to behave as professionals, and You are responsible for not breaking local laws.
If any element of the Terms and Conditions is held to be unenforceable, then this unenforceable part
will be given effect to the greatest extent possible, and the remainder of these Terms and Conditions
will remain in full force.
Trademarks and Copyright Infringement
Member’s logos, product names, company names, symbols and marks may be their Trademarks and reproduction
of these is prohibited. The Network Freelance logo and name is the Trademark of Surf Ltd. If You believe
that your copyright may have been infringed, please notify Us for our guide on how to resolve the issue.
Communication on the Site
Network Freelance was designed to match Employers requiring Freelance Professionals to those Freelance
Professionals offering services. As such we actively encourage all parties to communicate openly and
honestly on the Site, and to each other. We also encourage Freelancers to get help, assistance and advice
from other Freelance professionals on the site using the bulleting boards and messaging function to enable
their products and services to be offered in the best form.
Freelancers Feedback Rating System
Network Freelance uses a number of variables to rank Freelancers when Employers search for suitable
professionals. This includes such features as, but is not limited to; professional endorsements, location,
professional experience, key word match, day rate, activity on the Site. You accept that the Site will
contain public feedback from Users whom you have worked with.
Freelancers accept that feedback results will form part of a composite scoring system. Freelancers can
elect whether or not to show feedback from their Employers in order to manage their profile but choosing
to not show feedback will negatively impact their ranking. Network Freelance does not manage or monitor
this feedback process and the onus is on the Member to monitor comments, and report anything which may
be defamatory or legally actionable. Freelancers or Employers may be held legally responsible for damages
suffered by other Network Freelance Users as a result of these remarks if a court finds them legally
actionable or defamatory. Users agree to report any instances of abuse of the feedback system to Network
Freelance as soon as possible, and agree not to take any actions to undermine the integrity of the sites
feedback system.
Maintaining the Feedback System
The credibility of the feedback ranking system is really important and if we believe any member to be
jeopardising the integrity of this system we reserve the right to cancel or suspend their membership.
Such examples which may cause Network Freelance to cancel accounts are:
- Using the feedback process to solicit Users contact information
- Using the feedback process to spam other Members
- Using the feedback system to harass or abuse Members
Contracts and Employment of Freelance Professionals
This is really important. If you register as a Member you agree that you will contract directly with
Employers on the Site. Network Freelance is not engaged in any contract for services between the Members
and the Employers who use this site. All liabilities, obligations and rights from the procurement of
employment Contracts are between the Members and their Employers. Every Member is responsible for their
conduct and performance in delivering a Contract
Network Freelance is an online community of Buyers and Freelancers, and acts as a conduit for communications
between these two parties. As such it is not involved in the contracting of products or services between
parties. As much as we’d like to offer a cast iron guarantee, we have no control of the performance of our
Members and can’t guarantee the accuracy of their profiles or the quality of their work.
In a similar way, we can not guarantee the integrity of our Employers and the contracts they offer.
Buyers and Sellers must look for other methods outside of Network Freelance to enforce the performance
of all the rights and obligations pursuant to the transactions it entered into on the Site, and any other
terms, conditions, representations or warranties associated with these dealings.
When a Freelance agrees to offer Services to the Employer by accepting the Contract being posted, that
Freelancer agrees to provide the Services in accordance to the terms as laid out by the Employer.
Information for Freelance Professionals
Registering as a Freelance Professional
To ask questions, network with the community or win business, Freelance Professionals must register to use
Network Freelance. In doing this you agree to provide details which are true, complete, and accurate. They
must also be up to date, and sufficiently comprehensive to give other Members a true reflection of you, and
your capabilities. Network Freelance reserves the right to cancel or suspend your account if you are found
to be submitting incorrect information on your profile.
Freelancers Code of Conduct
When electing to use Network Freelance to offer your services for Employers Contracts you agree to apply
for contracts that you can deliver on time; assist the Employer with any questions they have; write a
detailed contract outlining time frames, deliverables, location of work and scope; set expectations to
meet or exceed and confirm your agreed fee. In addition to this, Network Freelance also insists on you
informing the Employer; of your office hours and response times; if any issues arise which will mean you
are unable to complete the project on time (in which case it is important for you to also notify Network
Freelance immediately, and suggest an amended delivery date to the Employer); inform the Employer of which
days you will (not) be able to work; promptly reply to any correspondence from Network Freelance or The
Employer. If the Employer leaves feedback which you believe to be unjustified, Network Freelance should
also be informed.
Freelancers Obligations
When accepting a contract, you agree to provide the Services if you are a Freelance Professional as laid
out in the Terms and Conditions, subject to a mutually agreed amendment of the Contract. Freelancers are
responsible for managing their own finances and satisfying tax, NI and other legal requirements.
Our Members Financial Responsibility
You are obliged to be financially responsible for your use of the Site, and the provision of Services or
Contracts. If you are selling professional services to employers, you are also obliged to deliver these
Services and complete the transaction as laid out by the Employer.
Managing the Contracts Secured through Network Freelance
It is inevitable that from time to time Employers and Freelancers will fail to agree on aspects of a
Contract. In most cases these conflicts can be resolved amicably, but there are steps Members can
undertake to minimise the chance of this happening.
To minimise the chances of problems occurring with Contracts, Freelancers are obliged to:
- Provide detailed responses to job descriptions
- Respond to any query from the Employer who posted the Contract
- Read through the Employment description carefully, to see what the Employers businesses culture
is like with the way you work
- Accept Contracts with very well structured deliverables, clear timeframes and transparent fees
- Openly communicate with the Employer and keep a record of all correspondence
If a dispute still arises, Network Freelance will provide assistance by getting in touch with all
parties involved. If the assistance of Network Freelance fails to remedy the situation it is our
recommendation that an independent third party adjudicator is found to resolve the dispute. If the
mediator manages to satisfactorily resolve the dispute we would appreciate it if Network Freelance was
notified for its records and with contact details for the third party so that we are able to independently
verify the resolution.
Information for Employers
Finding a Freelancer
Employers can search for Freelancers registered on the site and post job descriptions. Employers of
Freelancers will not be charged a fee for posting job descriptions on the site, nor will they be charged for
employing a freelancer through the site.
Submitting a Job Description
Employers wishing to contract work packages shall:
- Submit contracts which are clearly scoped, with well defined deliverables, and clearly stated durations
- Respond to queries from Freelancers wishing to find out more information about the job
- Choose the right Freelancer for you, based on such factors as their feedback score, ranking,
professional qualifications, locations and experience
- Decide on the way both parties wish to structure the work including location, office hours,
response times, public / private elements etc
- Leave objective feedback and balanced ratings on the quality of the Freelancers work
Our Employers Financial Responsibility
You are obliged to be financially responsible for your use of the Site, and the procurement of
Services or Contracts. If you are buying professional services from Members, you are also obliged to
pay for these Services and complete the transaction as laid out by the contract agreed between the
Employer and the Freelancer.
Employers Code of Conduct
Equally, if you are an Employer posting a Contract, you agree to; post an accurate description of the
work package you would like to contract, amend the contract to reflect any updates to the price, scope
of work, duration or key alterations, not submit projects with the intention of committing fraud, not
provide false contracts to reciprocally increase other Members feedback score, not post generic Contracts
lacking in substance, respond to Freelancers queries quickly. At the completion of a Contract it is
important to leave objective, balanced feedback about the Freelancer.
When accepting a contract, you agree to purchase the Services if you are an Employer of Freelancers, as
laid out in the Terms and Conditions, subject to a mutually agreed amendment of the Contract.
Paying for To Contact a Freelancer
Network Freelance offers a simple, single payment option when employers decide that they wish to contact one of Network Freelance registered freelancers
You are charged for each freelancer professional you wish to contact. This payment is for one freelancer and is charged at £10 per contact.
The payment is taken through Sage Pay, who is one of the largest payment service providers in the UK. All transaction information passed between Network Freelance and Sage Pay’s systems is encrypted using 128-bit SSL certificates. No cardholder information is ever passed unencrypted and any messages sent to your servers from Sage Pay are signed using MD5 hashing to prevent tampering. You can be completely assured that nothing you pass to Sage Pay’s servers can be examined, used or modified by any third parties attempting to gain access to sensitive information.
NetworkFreelance is a service provider and as such does not offer physical goods, and is unable to offer any returns.
Refunds will be given if the contact details for the freelance professional you wish to contact be missing or inaccurate enough for you not to be able to make contact with the freelancer.
Managing the Contracts Secured through Network Freelance
It is inevitable that from time to time Employers and Freelancers will fail to agree on aspects of a
Contract. In most cases these conflicts can be resolved amicably, but there are steps you can undertake
to minimise the chance of this happening. Employers are obligated to:
- Provide detailed job descriptions
- Respond to any query from the Freelance professional once you have contacted them
- Read through the Freelancers profile carefully, to see what their fit it likely to be like with your business
- Accept Contracts with very well structured deliverables, clear timeframes and transparent fees
- Openly communicate between the Employer and Yourself and keep a record of all correspondence
If you end up in the unfortunate position that a dispute still arises, Network Freelance will provide
assistance by getting in touch with all parties involved. If the assistance of Network Freelance fails
to remedy the situation it is our recommendation that an independent third party adjudicator is found
to resolve the dispute. If the mediator manages to satisfactorily resolve the dispute we would appreciate
it if Network Freelance was notified for its records and with contact details for the third party so that
we are able to independently verify the resolution.
Dispute Resolution
Disputes with Other Members
If You have a dispute with any Member of the Site, you release Network Freelance (and our officers,
directors, agents, employees and joint ventures) from claims, demands and damages of every kind and
nature known and unknown.
Disputes which may involve Network Freelance
Network Freelance provides services without any warranties or conditions, on an as is basis. We shall
in no event be liable for any damages pursuant to these Terms and Conditions to You, Our Freelancers,
Our Employers or any other User of this site. As a guide, but not limited to, these damages include loss
of business, profits, goodwill. In absolutely no event (and notwithstanding any other provision of our
Terms and Conditions) will our liability to you for any action or claim related to the Services of
Network Freelance exceed £100.
Network Freelance was created to assist Employers of Freelancers and Freelancers themselves and we
appreciate that we have a level of responsibility in creating this site. However, you agree to defend
and indemnify Network Freelance from and against costs, damages, liabilities and other expenses incurred
by Network Freelance from and against any cost, damages, liability, claim, suit proceeding or action
brought against Network Freelance. (This may be in connection with the use of our Services and any
financial transaction undertaken through the Site. This may also be through any malicious, wrongdoing
or intentional negligence of a Member or Visitor of the Site. This may also be through your failure to
pay any invoice or other payment or your dispute of any invoice or payment. This may also be through
any tax or NI liability you incur through using this Site. This may also be through your own decision
to supply personal or personal financial information via the site. This may also be via any breach of
Contract or claims made by other Members with whom you transacted on the Site. This may also be through
any failure to adhere to any provision of these Terms and Conditions.)
The indemnification referenced above will be conditional on Network Freelance cooperating you in the
defence or settlement of thereof, and corresponding to you in writing of any such costs, damages,
liabilities and other expenses, and of giving you freedom to select your own legal defence of such
costs, damages, liabilities and other expenses.
Dispute Resolutions
In the unfortunate event of You having a dispute with Network Freelance, our priority is to resolve
it as quickly and cost effectively as possible. We genuinely want to provide you with a service you
love to use. You agree to contact us first if a dispute arises before resorting to legally binding
alternatives, to try and remedy the situation amicably.
Any disputes will be contested in accordance to English Law, in a court in England. If any claim arises
between You and Network Freelance, the pursuant party may request to resolve the dispute with binding
non-appearance based arbitration, as this is a cost effective solution.
How and When we Enforce our Policies
If we think you have breached any of the Terms and Conditions as laid out here we reserve the right to
cancel your account, or suspend you from using Network Freelance. We may also terminate your membership
if we believe that your actions may cause a legal liability for you, other Users of Network Freelance or
Network Freelance. If we have terminated your membership you may not re-register under a different Account,
or use the Site under a different name.
Network Freelance reserves the right to terminate any User or Employer for any reason, at its sole discretion
and refuse to provide Membership to you in future. If this happens you may no longer have access to any
information on the Site, including files, data, messages or indeed any other material stored on Network Freelance.
Termination of Membership
Our Terms and Conditions become effective when you accept your use of the Site, and continue until terminated
by you or Network Freelance. If you breach any of the Terms and Conditions, Network Freelance may issue you
with a warning, indefinitely or temporarily suspend or terminate your Membership. You may not continue to
use the site under a same Member profile or a new Member profile. When your membership is terminated, even
though you may no longer have access to the Site (or to files, or data stored on the site) the terms and
conditions outlined above will survive termination of this agreement.
Contacting Us
Please do not hesitate to
contact our
Customer Services if you require assistance, have any questions,
feel there has been a violation of our Terms and Conditions or for any other reason.