1.1 Each of the owner, the person to whom the animal is on loan and the person presenting the animal for treatment shall be joint and severally liable for the payment of Colin Tait trading as Equitait Veterinary Practice (Equitait or the Practice)’s fees in relation to any goods or services supplied by Equitait in connection with an animal’s care. We cannot accept instructions from anybody under 18.
2.1 All of our fees are due at the time of the supply of the goods or services or upon collection of your animal if it has been hospitalised, (unless agreed by Colin Tait in writing in advance). Fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. Fee levels are determined by the time spent on a case, together with consumables. Details of our likely fees are available on request and a detailed invoice is provided for every consultation, procedure or transaction. Whenever possible we will give you an estimate of the cost of treatment, however, variations and complications may arise resulting in further costs being incurred. Late or non-payment of any fees will result in the procedures set out in clauses 2.5 and 2.6 being implemented and either a requirement for our fees to be settled at the time of the supply of the goods or services, or the withdrawal of our services.
2.2 ‘Out of hours’ fees are charged when a veterinary surgeon visits out of normal office hours, which are; 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday. An ’emergency’ call-out fee will be levied when a veterinary surgeon visits you on the same day as you request the visit.
2.3 In order to keep our costs as low as possible and to be able to pass these benefits on to you, we do not offer credit accounts in the vast majority of circumstances.
2.4 Test results, vetting certificates, reports or similar will not be released until payment has been received in full for all goods and services provided.
In addition, we reserve the right to recover all costs incurred in action taken by us or on our behalf, including legal action, for the recovery of overdue amounts. This may include, but is not limited to, the cost of legal advice and representation. We reserve the right to recoup costs incurred in the use of outside agencies to recover late payments.
2.5 If we agree to set up an account for you, you may be required to undergo a credit check, following which the following additional terms apply: (a) invoices are payable within 14 days of the date of the invoice; (b) we reserve the right to charge 5% of the invoice value if your account is overdue; (c) £25 per bounced cheque or cancelled card charge will apply; (d) £10 late or failed payment plan charge; and (e) non-payment after 60 days may result in your account being referred to a debt collection agency and if the account has still not been settled 90 days following the date of the invoice, we may take legal action. In either of the latter two situations, you will have to pay additional administration charges, which may include our costs, and your credit rating may be affected. Late payment on account will result in, at our discretion, a requirement for our fees to be settled at the time of the supply of the goods or services, or the withdrawal of our services.
2.6 In addition, we reserve the right to recover all costs incurred in action taken by us or on our behalf, including legal action, for the recovery of overdue amounts. This may include, but is not limited to, the cost of legal advice and representation. We reserve the right to recoup costs incurred in the use of outside agencies to recover late payments.
2.7 Business customers: Please note that overdue invoices may be subject to interest, fixed charges and additional costs as prescribed by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
2.8 If you would like to pay your bill by bank transfer, please contact us on enquiries@equitait.com for our bank details. Please include both your name and the horse’s name in the payment reference section and send an e mail to accounts@equitait.com detailing the amount paid, by whom and payment reference. This is to ensure that we are able to match your payment with your account with us.
2.9 Any cheque or credit card payment which is not honoured by your bank or any cash which proves to be counterfeit will result in your account being restored to the original sum together with an administration fee of £25 which reflects our bank charges.
2.10 You are required to pay all of the costs of any third party to whom your animal is referred.
3.1 Equitait is very supportive of the principle of clients insuring their animal. As we aim to keep our costs as low as possible for clients, we would like to remind you that it is your responsibility to settle all bills which are incurred in connection with the treatment of your animal and be reimbursed by the insurer subsequently. While it is your responsibility to submit claims to your insurer, Equitait will provide 2 hours’ administrative assistance free of charge in connection with an insurance claim. Any further time spent will incur charges at our usual rates.
3.2 If we agree to wait for you to receive your insurance payment before paying our bill in full, then we require all insurance payments to be paid directly to Equitait.
4.1 To comply with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Regulations, we can only supply medication on prescription after first seeing the animal. Repeat prescriptions can only be given if the animal is under the actual care and attention of Equitait; we reserve the right to re-examine the animal before issuing a prescription.
4.2 Subject to our professional duties as veterinary surgeons, we reserve the right to make final decisions on the treatment of your animal.
5.1 Subject to 5.2 and 10.1 below, Equitait retains the ownership and all rights to all case records, reports, images and other similar documents of whatever nature which are produced by Equitait. This is the case whether or not fees are charged for the production of the same. Following a request from a client a copy of all records will be passed to another veterinary practice once all fees outstanding on the account are paid.
5.2 Information pertaining to pre-purchase examinations remains the property of the individual instructing Equitait.
6.1 The transport, loading and unloading of animals is the sole responsibility of the client or the person presenting the animal for treatment.
7.1 We accept new clients on a cash-only basis for a minimum period of 3 months and/or until an acceptable credit rating has been established.
7.2 Details of the animal(s), including relevant medical history, will be requested from your previous attending veterinary surgeon, unless we receive notification from you in writing to the contrary.
8.1 We are always pleased to receive feedback on the service we provide. Whilst we will always strive to provide the best service that we possibly can to you and your animal and we very much hope that our service does not give you cause for complaint, please contact Colin Tait in the first instance if you have any matter you would like to bring to our attention. If you are unhappy with the treatment or progress of your animal, we can arrange for a second opinion from another veterinary surgeon.
9.1 Subject to clause 9.2 below, you indemnify Equitait and the attending veterinary surgeon in relation to all actions, proceedings, costs, damages, claims and demands of Equitait or the attending veterinary surgeon, acting reasonably, which are directly or indirectly caused by the client.
9.2 Clause 9.1 shall not limit Equitait or the attending veterinary surgeon’s liability arising from death or personal injury caused by negligence.
9.3 We supply goods and services on the condition that joint liability of the individual vet and Equitait arising from any loss shall not exceed the sum of £5,000 per animal.
9.4 Subject to clause 9.4 above, Equitait shall be liable for any direct loss caused by gross negligence or fraud only.
10.1 We will process the personal data we hold in accordance with relevant data protection legislation, including the UK retained version of the General Data Protection Regulation.
10.2 By registering with Equitait, we may send you annual vaccination reminders and other marketing that we reasonably consider to be relevant or helpful to you unless you choose to unsubscribe from such service by any medium we consider to be appropriate.
10.2 Equitait is happy to provide a hard copy of any of the information received electronically or posted on Equitait’s website. Please address all such requests to Equitait in writing.
11.1 These terms and conditions may be revised from time to time and will be posted on Equitait’s website (www.equitait.com) at such time. All such revisions will be binding on the client from the date that they are posted on the website. No variation to these terms and conditions by the client will bind Equitait unless specifically agreed in writing.
12.1 Please note that we reserve the right to amend the number or level of products and services that we provide at any time without notice. We thank you for your understanding in such situations.
13.1 These terms, conditions and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by Scots law if you live in Scotland at the time the goods or services are provided, or English law if you live in any country other than Scotland at the time that the goods or services are provided. Both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scots and English courts respectively.
Terms and conditions effective from 22 March 2022.
