Terms and Conditions
The contracting parties with reference to this legalisation service will be the person or organisation requesting legalisation of documents (hereinafter called “the client”) and Notary Practice Limited (hereinafter called “the provider”).
1. RECEIPT AND DESPATCH OF DOCUMENTS
We accept documents by DX, post or courier services and will usually send the client an email confirming safe receipt.
Unless otherwise instructed, we return documents to the client by standard document exchange (DX) or by first class Royal Mail, if the latter is applicable. We will usually inform the client of safe despatch by email. If instructed, we send documents by various tracked postal/courier services.
Once documents have been couriered, we will usually provide the client with a tracking number once it has been obtained – thereafter it will be the client’s responsibility to follow up queries.
The Notary Practice does not accept responsibility for missing documentation that has not been received by the client. Normal compensation from the courier or Royal Mail may be available depending on the service used.
2. TURNAROUND TIMES & DEADLINES
We appreciate the need for the quickest turn-around times when it comes to documentation that is being legalised.
It is important to appreciate that the provider is dependent on the processing times and policies of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the various Embassies/Consulates.
We cannot therefore guarantee that documents will be collected on the precise date provided to us by the Embassy if the documents are not yet ready for collection.
We cannot be held responsible for matters that beyond our control. If you have a deadline, and have concerns that it may not be met, please liaise with us at your earliest convenience and we shall do our utmost to assist.
We aim to offer you an excellent service but we cannot be held responsible for documents that have been legalised but are subsequently rejected by the receiving parties due to incorrect notarial procedures or certifications carried out in the UK. Neither can we be held responsible for documents that are subsequently deemed unacceptable to the recipient state or authority.
FCO STANDARD SERVICE
If documents are received by 11:30pm, they will be taken to Milton Keynes and presented to the legalisation department the same day. Collection will be on the following working day as per the current FCO guidelines in place for business customers. They will then be despatched to the client on the same day.
We are not liable for any delay within the FCO and therefore cannot guarantee a next day despatch of documents where matters are beyond our control.
PREMIUM SERVICE
We accept documents up until 2pm for a same day Apostille service using the FCO Premium Service facility based at Centre Point in London.
Documents received after 2pm can only be processed where special arrangements have been agreed by the client and the provider in advance.
EMBASSY/CONSULATE
Documents that require Apostilles will be lodged at Consulates the day after they have been collected from the FCO.
3. ORDERS
We take no responsibility for inaccurate instructions. This refers especially to instructions regarding Consulates and Embassies. Where the Consulate offers both a standard and express service we will use the Consulate’s standard service unless otherwise instructed.
All orders received will usually be confirmed by email.
4. FEES AND PAYMENT
We require payment at the time we receive your instruction by cheque or direct Bank transfer. If a Bank Transfer has been made, we require a confirmation of such in advance. In certain instances we will offer the client a credit facility with payment terms of 28 days. In cases where the level of disbursements to be paid is exceptionally high, we reserve the right to put the legalisation process on hold until we receive the funds. This will usually occur where disbursements exceed, £1000.00.
