Terms and conditions

These terms apply to all my services. If anything is unclear, ask me before you accept a quote. It's easier for both of us.

1. Who I am

Flash Translation is the trading name of a sole-trader business (micro-entreprise) based at 12 Traverse des Migauds, 13011 Marseille, France. The owner's full identity is given in the legal notice.

Email: contact@flash-translation.com · Phone: +33 7 44 18 99 30

In these terms, "I" means Flash Translation and "you" means the client, whether a private individual or a business.

2. What these terms cover

• written translation between Bulgarian, French and English, sworn or not;
• proofreading and revision of translations;
• interpreting.

The version that applies is the one in force on the day you accept the quote. The accepted quote and any specific conditions in it take precedence over these general terms. Your own purchasing terms apply only if I've accepted them in writing.

3. Quotes and orders

Quotes are free and non-binding for you. I base them on the documents or information you send. A quote states the service, the firm price, the estimated turnaround, any postage and, for interpreting, the date, place and duration.

A quote is valid for 30 days.

The order is confirmed when you accept the quote in writing (an email is enough) and, if a deposit is required, once I've received it. If the documents you finally send differ from the quoted ones (extra pages, a different document, changed text), I'll send you a new quote before starting.

4. Prices

Prices on the site are "from" prices. They give you an idea of cost. Only the price on the quote is binding, for both of us.

Prices are in euros. TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI (VAT not applicable, Article 293 B of the French Tax Code).

An urgent surcharge applies only if you asked for urgent delivery and I accepted it on the quote.

5. Payment

• Method: bank transfer. My bank details are on the quote and the invoice.
• Deposit: for any order over €150, I ask for a 50% deposit when you order. I start work once it arrives.
• Balance: the balance, or the full amount for orders of €150 or less, is due on receipt of the invoice, issued on delivery. I post the paper originals of sworn translations once full payment is received.
• No discount is given for early payment.

Business clients: any late payment automatically incurs late-payment interest. It is calculated at the European Central Bank's most recent refinancing rate plus 10 percentage points. A fixed €40 recovery fee is also due (Article L441-10 of the French Commercial Code).

6. Turnaround

Turnaround times on the site and in quotes are estimates. They run from the day the order is confirmed and I have complete, legible documents. If something is likely to delay delivery, I'll tell you as soon as I know.

If you need a specific date (a prefecture appointment, a filing deadline), tell me before ordering. If I can meet it, I'll put it on the quote as a firm date. If I can't, I'll say so plainly.

If you're a consumer, this is without prejudice to your rights under the French Consumer Code regarding performance deadlines.

7. Sworn translations

I am a sworn translator (registered as an expert with a French court of appeal).

I certify translations between Bulgarian and French. Translations between English and French or Bulgarian are professional translations, without certification.

What you receive:

• the paper original of the translation, signed and stamped, sent by post to the address you give me;
• a PDF copy by email, for online procedures or your records. The PDF doesn't replace the original when an office requires a paper document.

Where the receiving office accepts it, I can provide an electronically signed version instead of the paper original. Tell me when you ask for a quote.

My certification confirms that the translation is faithful to the document you sent me. It doesn't vouch for the authenticity or validity of the original document.

An apostille or legalisation is a separate formality, carried out by the authorities of the country that issued the document. I don't do these. The apostille guide explains when you need one.

The receiving office (prefecture, town hall, CAF, court…) decides what it accepts. If in doubt, check with them whether they need a sworn translation, whether they want to see the original source document, and whether they require an apostille.

8. Interpreting

The quote sets the date, time, place, booked duration and any travel costs. Time beyond the booked duration is charged at the rate on the quote.

If you cancel:

• more than 48 hours before the start: no charge, and your deposit is refunded;
• less than 48 hours before: 50% of the service price is still due, plus any travel costs already incurred that can't be refunded.

These cancellation terms don't apply if you use your statutory right of withdrawal within the legal period (section 17).

If I cancel: if I have to cancel (illness, force majeure), I'll tell you as soon as possible and refund everything you paid for that booking.

9. Proofreading and revision

I review and correct the text you send, as set out in the quote (language, accuracy against the source, consistent terminology). I'm not responsible for passages I wasn't given, or for changes made after I deliver.

10. What I need from you

• complete, legible documents (a clean scan beats a crooked phone photo);
• the exact Latin-alphabet spelling of names, as shown in your passport or residence permit. Transliteration from Cyrillic varies between documents, and a prefecture may reject a file where the name doesn't match;
• what the translation is for, and the receiving country or office;
• for technical or legal texts, your glossary or reference documents, if you have them.

You confirm that you're entitled to send me the documents and have them translated.

11. Corrections and complaints

If you find an error in my translation that's down to me, email me. I'll correct it free of charge and, for a sworn translation, send you a corrected original.

Changes that aren't due to an error on my part (a modified source text, a style preference, a new use) may be quoted separately.

This doesn't affect your statutory rights.

12. Confidentiality

I treat your documents, and everything you tell me, as confidential. I don't share them with anyone unless the law requires it. I do the translations myself and don't subcontract without your written agreement.

For personal data, see the privacy policy.

13. Tools and artificial intelligence

I may use support tools (terminology databases, dictionaries, spell-checkers, consistency checks). The translation is done and proofread by me. I never put confidential documents into public AI tools.

14. Liability

Business clients: my liability is limited to direct loss and can't exceed the price of the service concerned, except in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct (faute lourde ou dolosive).

Consumers: my liability is governed by general law. Nothing in these terms reduces your statutory rights.

In all cases, I'm not responsible for:

• an office rejecting a document for reasons unrelated to the quality of my translation (source document not accepted, missing apostille, a document they didn't ask for…);
• errors in the source document;
• delays or losses caused by the postal service, without prejudice to your rights as a consumer;
• force majeure within the meaning of Article 1218 of the French Civil Code.

15. Ownership of the translation

Once the price is paid in full, I assign to you the rights to reproduce, communicate and adapt the translation, for the use stated in the quote, worldwide and for the full term of copyright. Until full payment, the translation remains my property.

You remain responsible for the rights in the source text.

16. Personal data

How your data is processed is described in the privacy policy.

17. Right of withdrawal (consumers)

When it applies. If you're a consumer and the contract is concluded at a distance (by email, through the website form or by phone), you have 14 days to withdraw. You don't have to give a reason. The period starts on the day the contract is concluded, which is the day you accept the quote (Article L221-18 of the French Consumer Code).

How to withdraw. Before the period ends, send me a clear statement by email to contact@flash-translation.com or by post to 12 Traverse des Migauds, 13011 Marseille, France. You can use the model form below, but you don't have to.

If you want me to start straight away. By default, I don't start work before the 14 days are up. If your matter is urgent, you can expressly ask me in writing to start earlier (Article L221-25). In that case:

• if you then withdraw, you owe me an amount in proportion to the work done up to the moment you tell me you're withdrawing, compared with the total price (Article L221-25, paragraph 3);
• if the service is fully performed before the period ends, at your express request, and you acknowledged that you lose your right of withdrawal once the service is fully performed, you can no longer withdraw (Article L221-28, 1°).

If you didn't ask me to start before the period ended, you owe nothing for any work done during it.

Refund. I refund what you paid no later than 14 days after receiving your decision, by bank transfer, minus the proportional amount described above where it applies.

Model withdrawal form

(Complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract.)

To Flash Translation, 12 Traverse des Migauds, 13011 Marseille, France, contact@flash-translation.com:

I/We hereby give notice that I/we withdraw from my/our contract for the provision of the following service:

Service: ……………………………… Ordered on: ……………………………… Name of consumer(s): ……………………………… Address of consumer(s): ……………………………… Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is sent on paper): ……………………………… Date: ………………………………

18. Complaints and mediation

If something goes wrong, write to me first at contact@flash-translation.com. Most problems are sorted out in one exchange.

19. Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by French law. If you're a consumer living in another EU country, this choice doesn't deprive you of the mandatory protections of the law of your country of residence, where they apply.

If we can't reach an agreement, the dispute goes to the competent courts. If you're a consumer, you can in particular bring proceedings in the courts where you live.