16.  CHARGING AND INVOICING

16.1  In consideration of the Contractor carrying out its obligations, including the provision of the Services under this Agreement, the Authority shall pay the Charges to the Contractor in accordance with the payment profile and the invoicing procedure specified in ScheduleE.4 (Charges and Invoicing).

16.2  The Contractor shall ensure that, in any Sub-contract permitted under this Agreement, a term is included which requires the Contractor to pay any undisputed sums due to the relevant Sub-contractor within a specified period that does not exceed 30 days from the date the Contractor receives the Sub-contractor's invoice.

16.3  The Contractor shall not suspend the supply of the Services unless the Contractor is entitled to terminate this Agreement under Clause 55.5 for failure to pay undisputed Charges.  Interest shall be payable on the late payment of any undisputed Charges properly invoiced in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

16.4  Except as otherwise provided, the parties shall each bear their own costs and expenses incurred in respect of compliance with their obligations under Clauses 4 (Testing), 13 (Quality Plans) , 24 (Audits), 41 (Protection of Personal Data) and 42 (Freedom of Information).