1. Definitions

In these conditions the following expressions have the following meanings: "PP" Punctum Ltd. "The Customer" any person or firm or company dealing with PP or any servant or employee of such a person firm or company. "Services" shall include all studio space and facilities. "Equipment" shall include all fixtures, lighting and other materials provided by PP or by nominated sub-contractors. "Studios" the premises of PP for the time being where the services and equipment are provided.

2. General

2.1. PP will insure the Studio and the Equipment against all normal insurable risks but not further or otherwise. The Customer must effect its own insurance cover against consequential loss of profit and other Risks and must effect its own cover against loss damage or theft of any of its own equipment brought onto the premises. Under no circumstances will PP entertain any claims arising out of any failure of the Customer to effect its own insurance cover.

2.2. These Conditions constitute the entire contract and may not be varied otherwise than in writing signed by a duly authorised signatory on behalf of PP.

2.3. Full details of the PP services and charge rates are set out in the PP Price List which may be varied by PP without notice.

2.4. Nothing in these Conditions is intended to exclude restrict or modify liability on the part of PP resulting from negligence or otherwise unless permitted by Statute.

3. Studio Hire

3.1. The Studio is available for daily use between 0900 hrs and 1700hrs. Use outside these hours shall be charged at the published overtime rates unless previously agreed in writing by PP.

3.2. The Studio may be provisionally booked by telephone and the booking should be confirmed within 24 hours. The Customer will be further required to sign a Confirmation of Booking sheet, which is binding to these Conditions. Any confirmed bookings cancelled less than 3 working days of the commencement will be billed at the full rate plus any costs incurred by PP by way of expenses. The Customer will receive credit against such cancellation charges if the Studio is re-booked to another customer.

3.3. Bookings may only be extended with the prior consent of PP.

3.4. The Customer must observe all regulations governing the use of the Studio and of any Equipment and services whether imposed by PP or by any statutory body or Local Authority.

3.5. The Studio is available for the exclusive use of the Customer named in the booking and the Customer is not permitted to sub-contract sub-let or otherwise permit any third party to utilise the Studio without the prior written consent of PP.

3.6. The Customer is responsible for any loss or damage occasioned to the Equipment or the Studio caused by or arising from the Customer use thereof or by any servant agent employee or sub-contractor of the Customer.

3.7. Any materials used in connection with sets constructed by the Customer shall be forthwith removed from the Studio at the end of the hire period at the expense of the Customer.

3.8. No alteration decorations or additions to the Studio are permitted without the consent of PP and at the end of the hire period the Studio must be surrendered in the same condition that it was in at the start of the hire period. Any costs incurred by PP arising out of any breach of this Condition shall be paid by the Customer.

3.9. The Customer agrees to read and abide by all the ‘Punctum Studio Rules’ displayed within the Studios.

4. Hire of Services and Equipment

4.1. All Equipment and services are supplied by PP entirely at the risk of the Customer. PP shall not be liable for loss or damage of any kind to material or props or equipment entrusted to it however caused including consequential loss and loss of profit.

4.2. All Equipment supplied to the Customer is in good condition. The Customer must notify PP at the time of supply if the condition of the Equipment is not acceptable.

4.3. In no circumstances shall PP be liable for any transport cost or for any loss or damage including consequential loss or damage however caused arising out of the use or the inability to use the Equipment supplied or agreed to be supplied.

4.4. The Customer may not without the written consent of PP:

(i)Remove the equipment from the Studio premises; or
(ii) modify or alter or tamper with the Equipment in any way; nor
(iii) use the Equipment in a manner not recommended by the Manufacturer; nor
(iv) allow or suffer the Equipment to be used by any untrained or unauthorised personnel; nor
(v) part with possession sell pledge encumber or suffer any lien to be created on the Equipment.

4.5. PP shall not be liable for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of any statement advice instruction or any other representation given or made by any servant of PP or any other person whose services are supplied to the Customer.

4.6. The hire period for services or Equipment cannot be extended otherwise than with the consent of PP.

4.7. Equipment must be returned promptly at the end of the hire period in good condition (save for fair wear and tear). The Customer shall pay or compensate PP for the replacement value of lost or damaged Equipment or in respect of any cancellation or variation of any order or failure to return the Equipment on time.

4.8. Bookings and cancellations must be made in accordance with Clauses 2.2 & 2.3.

5. Payment and Additional Charges

5.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing all transactions will be settled in cash before the commencement of the hire period. Authorised account holders must settle accounts within 30 days of the date of invoice. Prices may be varied without notice to the Customer.

5.2. Overdue accounts will accrue interest at the rate of 2% above the base lending rate of HSBC Bank PLC, per month or part thereof.

5.3. The hire charge commences when the Studio and/or Equipment is made available to the Customer whichever is the earlier and terminates when the Studio and/or Equipment is surrendered or returned to PP. PP reserves the right to make an additional hourly labour charge to cover any costs incurred by PP pursuant to condition 9 paragraph III above.

5.4. Any additional Equipment, services, staff or modifications to the Confirmation of Booking shall be billed to and paid for by the Customer.

5.5. At the end of the hire period the Customer may be charged at the discretion of PP an additional rental where the Studio or any item of Equipment is delivered to or returned to PP in a bad or damaged condition so as to preclude use or hire of the said Studio or Equipment.

5.6. Where PP is required to place a security deposit with any third party for the hire of any item of equipment the Customer shall pay such deposit to PP when the booking is made.

5.7. PP shall have a general lien on any film, tape, or other equipment or property in the possession of PP or in the Studio premises for the payment of any monies due to PP from the Customer.

6. Exclusions of Liability

Subject as herein before mentioned PP shall not be liable to the Customer for any loss damage expense liability or for any consequential loss (including loss of profit) whatsoever or howsoever arising out of or in connection with any of the following:

(a) Any damage to or loss of property by the Customer or the Customers servants or agents or any third party.
(b) Any breakdown stoppage or failure of the facilities and Equipment provided in the Studio or any other Equipment supplied to the Customer by PP.
(c) Any death or injury occasioned to any Customer or servant or agent of any Customer occasioned by the use of the Studio or any Equipment unless such death or injury is directly attributable to the negligence of PP or the servants or agents of PP.
(d) For any fines and/legal costs incurred by PP or the Customer for any activity connected with the hire of the Studio or Equipment.
(e) Any failure on the part of PP to comply with its obligations to the Customer due to any circumstances beyond the control of PP.

7. Indemnity

The Customer shall at all times keep PP indemnified against all actions proceedings costs charges claims expenses and demands whatsoever which may be made or brought against PP or the servants or agents of PP by any third party in respect of any alleged injury loss damage or expense arising out of or in connection with the use of the Studio or Equipment or services supplied by PP even where such injury loss damage or expense is caused wholly or in part by the negligence or breach of contract of PP its directors servants or agents save in respect of any death or personal injury caused by the negligence of PP as aforesaid.

8. Termination

PP may summarily terminate any hire contract with the Customer upon the happening of any of the following events:

(a) If the Customer shall fail to pay any of the monies due to PP or dishonour any cheque paid to it; or
(b) If the Customer enters into liquidation (other than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction) or shall have a Receiver of its assets appointed or being an individual shall be declared bankrupt or having a Receiving order made against them; or
(c) If the Customer shall be in breach of any of the terms of these Conditions and any such termination shall be without prejudice to any rights accrued to PP against the Customer prior to the date of termination. 9. Applicable Law

These Conditions shall be read and construed in accordance with the Laws of England.