Hi, I hope someone can give me some advice here. I don't know if I should cut my losses and forget about the money owed or try to do something to at least recover my expenses. I provided services to a public sector through an agency. There was a job I carried out 8 months ago. The agency is refusing to pay, as the contract I had previously signed says that the invoices must be submitted within a specified period of time, and I was late. I made several attempts at submitting the invoice at the time (within that period), had some issues with their software and my devices, then I completely forgot about the job, being a busy mother, a full-time worker now and a part-time student. I remembered about it recently and tried to claim the invoice, but the agency dug their heels in and refused point blank on the grounds of the contract terms.
Now, there are some circumstances which i think are important: i paid railway tickets out of my pocket, paid for a babysitter for some part of the time I was on the assignment, the job was out of hours - I arrived home at midnight etc. It really rattles me, that even my expenses are not going to be paid, as according to the contract expenses were to be covered by myself.
I really need some unbiased and honest advice! My instinct says to take them to court as it reeks of unfair contract terms, modern slavery, unfair deductions, but I am not a lawyer and I don't know what to do! thank you!