Payment for self employed work

[johnnyedge]

I have been surveying conservatories for a large double glazing company up until recently. This was done on a self employed basis and payments were made to me on the C.I.S taxation payment scheme.

When I inquired why I had not been paid funds into my bank recently I was informed it was because I had been fined for an error on one or more of my surveys.

I have no problem with that in principle but I have never been shown a copy of any document pertaining to the fine system that is in place, the amounts involved for specific errors nor have I ever signed a document agreeing to money being stopped out of my monies if a fine situation should ever arise.

What I would like to know is have they acted within the law by withholding money from me without any form of signed written agreement.

Please advise.

Thanks

[boxtops]

Have you signed any contract with them? - could these terms and conditions have been in the small print?

[buildersmate]

If you had been an employee, the answer is the employer cannot do this - it is an unlawful deduction of earnings.
That doesn't apply to you - you have a contract for your services. This is a civil law matter and the terms of the contract apply. Most likely they never told you this, but have you looked at any small print you may have been given or was the contract just verbal?
You will have to argue this using the small claims procedure at the County Court (provided it is under the claim threshold).