These terms apply to work accepted by Chartawell Centre for Paper Conservation Science from 1 July 2026. They are written to be read by the person commissioning the work, not only by their lawyer.
1. Work is accepted only against a written scope issued by the centre, stating the methods, the fee and the turnaround. A purchase order that does not match an issued scope does not create a contract.
2. We may decline work, and regularly do, where the requested tests cannot answer the question the client has described. Where we decline for that reason we will say what would answer it.
3. We do not accept commissions from manufacturers of conservation materials or suppliers of environmental plant, whether directly or through an intermediary. A commission found to originate from such a source after acceptance will be terminated and the fee refunded in full.
4. Samples are sent at the client’s risk and must not be despatched before a reference number has been issued. Items sent without a reference number are logged and quarantined unopened until identified.
5. Destructive testing is carried out only where sampling has been permitted in writing on the scope. Where permission is limited to specified areas, that limitation is recorded on the quality record and honoured.
6. Material is retained for six months after the report is issued, then returned by insured carriage at the client’s cost, or retained in the reference set if the client instructs so in writing.
7. Copyright in a commissioned report rests with the client, who may publish or circulate it. The centre retains the right to use anonymised, aggregated measurements in research programmes unless the client opts out on the scope.
8. Reports may be reproduced only in full. Extracting a single figure from a report, without the method, the uncertainty and the limitations section, misrepresents the work and is not permitted.
9. Results apply to the sample as submitted, on the date measured. They are not a statement about the wider collection, a prediction of future condition, or a recommendation for treatment.
10. Course places are confirmed on payment or on award of a bursary place. Cancellation more than 28 days before the course is refunded in full; within 28 days, the place may be transferred to another person or to a later date, once.
11. We may cancel a course where fewer than six places are taken, with a full refund. We do not reimburse travel or accommodation, so please book flexible fares for courses more than six weeks ahead.
12. Our liability for any commission is limited to the fee paid for that commission, except in the case of death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or fraud, where liability is not limited.
13. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.