Identity Verification Service
The identity verification service provided by Axsuma (the "IDV Service"), relating to the UK's Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, 2023 ("ECCTA"), is described below and is provided on the basis of these terms and conditions (these "Terms").
Axsuma's standard terms of business (the "Standard Terms") are available at www.axsuma.co.uk/standard-terms and set out additional terms which apply to the IDV Service. If these Terms differ to those set out in the Standard Terms, these Terms shall override the Standard Terms.
Where, however, you have engaged us for services under a separate contract, such as a global framework agreement or a letter of engagement, the standard terms in that separate contract (the "Existing Standard Terms") shall apply instead of the Standard Terms. In such a case, if these Terms differ to those set out in the Existing Standard Terms, these Terms shall override the Existing Standard Terms.
We may revise these Terms at any time by amending this page. You are expected to check this page from time to time to take notice of any changes we made, as they will be binding on you when you order our IDV Service.
For the purposes of these Terms, you are the "Client", "Axsuma" is the relevant entity that is providing the IDV Service to the Client, and the "Individual" is the person whose identity is to be verified for the purposes of ECCTA.
Part 1: The IDV Service
1. Identity Verification
- Axsuma shall make available its solution to support the Individual through the identification verification process on one occasion (the "IDV Solution").
- When the IDV Solution is made available to the Individual, he or she will be required to accept additional terms and conditions relating to the use of the IDV Solution. The Client accepts that the Individual will not be able to use the IDV Solution until he or she has agreed to those terms and conditions.
- If the verification process is successful, the Individual shall be issued a unique identification number by Companies House. You and/or the Individual shall be responsible for the holding and security of that number. It shall not be delivered to or retained by Axsuma as part of the IDV Service.
1.4 Service Limitations
The Client acknowledges and accepts that, when providing the IDV Service, Axsuma:
- does not guarantee a successful verification or the issuing of a unique identification number by Companies House;
- may, at its discretion, request additional documentation and/or information in relation to the application for verification; and
- may, at its discretion, refuse to submit an application for verification to Companies House and/or withdraw the use of the IDV Solution for any reason, including where (i) it believes that the documentation used to support the verification is not genuine, in date or otherwise valid; (ii) the Individual appears on any sanctions list in the UK or elsewhere; or (iii) where any connection with criminal or fraudulent activity is detected by the IDV Solution.
Warranties
1.5 Axsuma's Warranty
Axsuma warrants that it is an "authorised corporate service provider" as defined in ECCTA.
1.6 Client's Warranties
The Client warrants that:
- it has authority from the Individual to instruct Axsuma to provide the IDV Service in relation to that Individual;
- it has made the Individual aware of these Terms and the Individual has accepted them;
- it reasonably believes that the documents used to verify the Individual will be genuine, in-date and otherwise valid, and any information provided by the Client shall, as far as it is aware, be true and accurate in all respects; and
- it reasonably believes that utilisation of the IDV Service and the IDV Solution by the Individual is not intended to be for any criminal or fraudulent purpose.
Liability
2.1 Liability Cap
Axsuma's maximum, aggregate liability for IDV Service shall not exceed GB£5,000.
2.2 Limitations on Axsuma's Liability
Axsuma shall have no liability where:
- the application for verification is unsuccessful except in the case of the gross negligence, fraud or wilful misconduct of Axsuma;
- it declines to provide or withdraws the use of the IDV Service and/or the IDV Solution where the Client or the Individual has not complied with their obligations under these Terms or where our IDV Solution detects any connection with criminal or fraudulent activity;
- where the information and/or documents provided to Axsuma in connection with the application are not genuine, in-date and otherwise valid; or
- where the Individual does not use the IDV Service in time to comply with the requirements of ECCTA.
2.3 Standard Terms Apply
Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Clause 2, the liability related provisions included in the Standard Terms or the Existing Standard Terms (as applicable), shall apply.
Part 2: The Fee
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Axsuma's fee is GB£120 (exclusive of VAT, if any) for each individual verification at Companies House. This fee includes access to the IDV Solution along with reasonable support and submission of the application to Companies House for the unique identification number.
An invoice for the fee(s) shall be raised after Axsuma has been provided with the full name and personal email address of the Individual(s) and shall be payable even if the Individual(s) does not commence or complete the identification verification process.
Subject to these Terms, in the event that identity cannot be verified on the first attempt, one further attempt is included in Axsuma's fee. If it is not possible to complete identity verification on the second attempt, a new application must be made, and additional fee paid. This additional fee shall be the same amount you paid for the first verification attempt.
Expedited processing or weekend/out-of-hours services
Limitations of Identity Verification
Our identity verification services have inherent limitations:
- We verify information and documents provided by you; we do not conduct independent investigations or field verification
- We cannot guarantee the absence of fraud or forgery, particularly where documents have been skilfully altered
- Verification is based on available information at the time of verification; we are not responsible for information becoming inaccurate subsequently
- Checks against sanctions and adverse media databases are based on publicly available sources and may not capture all relevant information
- We do not verify the legitimacy of the purpose for which verification is sought
- Our verification certificate is evidence of our verification process only; it does not constitute a guarantee of identity or character
You should not rely solely on our verification for purposes where high assurance is required and should consider additional due diligence procedures.
Liability and Professional Indemnity
Our liability for identity verification services is limited to the fees paid in the preceding 12 months or GBP 100,000, whichever is lower. We are not liable for:
- Fraudulent documents that we fail to detect (unless due to gross negligence)
- Consequences of verification decisions made by you or third parties based on our verification
- Information becoming inaccurate following our verification
- Your failure to follow our recommendations or conduct additional due diligence
- Regulatory or legal consequences arising from reliance on our verification certificates
We maintain professional indemnity insurance in accordance with regulatory requirements. Details are available on request.
Termination of Services
Either party may terminate identity verification services with 30 days' written notice. Upon termination, we will:
- Complete any verifications in progress where practicable
- Provide outstanding verification certificates or reports
- Retain personal data and verification records in accordance with our retention policy
- Securely dispose of your instructions upon expiry of retention periods
Termination does not relieve you of obligations to maintain proper identity verification records if required by law.