ITIC Launches Terms for Surveyors and Consultants

Despite most companies in the transport and shipping industries having their own trading terms and conditions, very few surveyors and consultants follow suit. In a bid to encourage them to adopt their own conditions, the International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has launched its Standard Terms for Surveyors and Consultants. Available to all ITIC members free of charge, and downloadable from www.itic-insure.com, ITIC's standard terms offer surveyors and consultants a variety of draft clauses covering issues such as payment terms, obligations and responsibilities, liability, indemnity, insurance, right to sub-contract, time bar and jurisdiction and law.

"There are many benefits to having trading terms and conditions in place," explains Julia Mavropoulos, claims director at ITIC. "Not only can they help protect you in the event of a claim against you, they can also help assist you when making a claim yourself. While in the majority of cases business goes ahead smoothly, on those rare occasions when a dispute arises, having trading terms and conditions in place could prove vital." As with all contractual terms, it is important that users ensure they are properly incorporated into their dealings with other parties. ITIC urges members to seek advice from their usual legal advisor prior to use of any new trading terms and conditions.