Flemish to English Law/Patents Law: Contract(s) Contract for services

Contract for the collection and transport of medical speciments - i.e. service contract

In the clause under Payment

Het aanvaarden van wissels, mandaten, afkortingen of afstand van schuldvordering, heeft geen schuldvernieuwing tot gevolg, zodat de onderhavige voorwarden integrall van toepassing blijven.

To determine what does not give rise to novation here, I'm struggling a little with «mandaten» and «afkortingen»

For novation contractually there must be an attempt to make payment in a different form which if accepted could be construed as giving rise to a new debt, unless novation is specifically excluded. So here we are looking for ways to make payment or give security which can be construed on acceptance as giving rise to a new agreement if not specifically excluded as such.

«Mandaat» is normally instruction, authority, etc but it can also be a money order (postwissel) ....I'm inclined to say that if that is possibly postdated. Any thoughts?

«afkortingen»...in the sense of short or partial payments perhaps?

Thanks
Debbie