1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. I'm registered as self-employed/sole trader translator with the UK HM Revenue & Customs.

1.2. I adhere to the standards of conduct, competence and practice set out in this Code of Conduct.

2. AIMS OF THIS CODE

2.1. Through this code I can ensure that the highest standards are consistently maintained in all my work as an independent freelance translator.

2.2. As an independent translator I commit myself to uphold and maintain the standards set out in the Code.

3. PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE

3.1 As an independent freelance translator I will act in accordance with the following principles:

• (a) Principle 1 - Honesty and integrity
• (b) Principle 2 - Professional competence
• (c) Principle 3 - Client confidentiality and trust

4. PROFESSIONAL VALUES

4.1 As an independent freelance translator I act in accordance with the following professional values:

• (a) To convey the meaning between people and cultures faithfully, accurately and impartially.
• (b) To hold in confidence any privileged and/or confidential information entrusted to me in the course of my work.
• (c) To represent my qualifications, capabilities and responsibilities honestly and to always work within them.
• (d) To enhance those capabilities at every opportunity through continuing education in language, subject field and professional practice.
• (e) To share knowledge and experience.
• (f) To ask for and to offer due recognition of my work and compensation commensurate with my abilities.

PRINCIPLE 1 – HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

1. ADVERTISING

1.1 In advertising my certified translation services in Spanish and French I ensure that the information I include on this website is factual and relevant, does not mislead and is not unfair to anyone else. All my marketing and promotional material is legal, decent, honest and truthful.

2. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

2.1 I shall carry out all work entrusted to me with complete impartiality and shall disclose any business, financial or other interest that might affect this impartiality.

3. INTEGRITY

3.1 I will act with integrity in all my professional and business activities. This means acting with honesty, fairness and impartiality at all times and not allowing myself to be improperly influenced either by self-interest or the interests of others.

3.2 I will avoid actions or situations that are inconsistent with my professional translation obligations.

PRINCIPLE 2 – PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

1. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

For as long as I continue in practice as an independent certified translator I'm committed to undertake continuing professional development as appropriate, in order to continue to offer the highest possible standards of work by maintaining and updating my language skills, subject knowledge or any other skills or knowledge necessary for the work.

COMPETENCE

2.1 I shall refuse work that I know to be beyond my competence either linguistically or because of lack of specialised knowledge.

3. TRANSLATION

3.1 I shall translate only into a language that is either (i) my mother tongues which are Spanish and Catalan or the language of habitual use which is English, or (ii) one in which I can demonstrate expertise, this being French.

3.2 I shall at all times maintain the highest standards of work according to my abilities, ensuring fidelity of meaning and register, unless specifically instructed by my clients, preferably in writing, to recreate the text in the cultural context of the target language.

3.3 I shall draw the attention of their clients to any significant ambiguities, errors, omission or imprecise language in the material on which they work.

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT

When as an independent certified translator I receive work from a client who is acting as an intermediary I shall not make any direct contact with the intermediary’s client without the intermediary’s and the client’s express agreement. If such agreement is given I shall not make any statements that may be detrimental to the intermediary client’s business.

PRINCIPLE 3 – CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY AND TRUST

1. CONFIDENTIALITY

1.1 As an independent certified translator I shall maintain complete confidentiality at all times and treat any information that may come to me in the course of my work as privileged information, not to be communicated to any third party without prior written authority. I shall also require all those assisting me in my work to be similarly bound.

1.2 I shall not derive any gain from privileged information acquired in the course of any certified translation undertaken.