Quote: sootyj @ October 28 2011, 8:48 AM BSTreally, they usually ask for a contract to be signed first.
They just asked for bank details. Unless it's a plot to siphon off the account to pay for Salford Quays.
Newsjack - Series 5 Page 76
They were pretty quick with payment last series. Did get a contract/invoice thing through the post first though.
Just checked bank account. I have not been paid yet.
They don't ask you to sign and return a contract anymore. Just send you a very short "contract" the terms of which you are deemed to have accepted if you don't return the payment within 28 days. I think the legality of the contract is dubious and it would certainly be exceptionally hard to prove acceptance, given they have no proof you received it, as it is simply sent in the ordinary post. They obviously just don't think it's worth all the admin for this type of minor contribution.
They then send you a payment advice and you get the money in your bank account within 3 days of receipt of that. Mine went into my bank account today.
Now I like the BBC's Legal Affairs department, and I like people on the internet. But who's best? Only one way to find out - FIGHT!
The thing is the law's rarely about the law and what's right or wrong, it's usually about what's practical. The BBC's legal department sent out contracts to be signed in the first series. I'm not a contract lawyer but I don't believe the basic principles of contract law have changed since. More likely what's happened is that they experienced the nightmare of chasing up 30 + signed contracts from disorganised writers on every show. I'd guess they made a practical and completely sensible decision that the infinitesimally slightly greater risk of being successfully sued for breach of copyright due to problems in proving acceptance of the contract was worth it due to the fact it related to minor royalty issues on a show that has a tiny audience. Somehow I don't think they'll be sorting out Mark Thompson's contract this way.
Quote: John Kelly @ October 28 2011, 5:27 PM BSTSomehow I don't think they'll be sorting out Mark Thompson's contract this way.
We would if he wrote a one-liner for Newsjack.
PROCESS AND HOW IT HAS EVOLVED
In series three I was sent a twenty page contract in duplicate for an 11 second one liner. I thought at the time, how mental.
In series four, I got an email saying we'll pay you soon bud. And then paid.
This series, I got a well done send us your payment details after ep 1.
A BIT ODD
A couple of days ago I got a payment notice for 1 one liner - having had no one liners in the series, but two sketches.
I emailed Phil who's sorted it already.
Looks like the pay rate has changed from the £36 per 30 seconds, to a standard £54 a sketch.
Edit: Think I read it wrong. Looks like that is for one sketch and a one liner.
Well, not for me!
Dan
I've got my 18 quid. Well, I did have it. It's gone now.
My brilliant material was never seen because it it is too hard to format, mine arrived all corrupted so a comedic genious is forgotten.
You're corrupting words on the fly there! 
Dan
Not paid yet. Which is a pain as I've spent the money.
There is going to be a "Newsjack Review of the Year". However, before you get excited at the chance of writing some new sketches, this is just a highlights show made up of sketches from the last series. It goes out at 23.10 on New Year's Eve.
Quote: Ian Wolf @ December 8 2011, 6:02 PM GMTThere is going to be a "Newsjack Review of the Year". However, before you get excited at the chance of writing some new sketches, this is just a highlights show made up of sketches from the last series.
Quite right too. It's not as if people are queueing up to write for this show...