Terms of Use for Academy Programmes
1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
This Terms of Use document (the “Agreement”) is a legally binding agreement between London Reporting Academy LLC (the “Academy,” “Company,” “we,” or “us”), a limited liability company based in the United Kingdom, and you, the programme participant (the “Participant” or “you”).
By enrolling in a London Reporting Academy programme and ticking the “I agree” tickbox, you acknowledge and agree that:
- London Reporting Academy is a specialised private provider of professional training, not a university or accredited academic institution. The Academy’s focus is on delivering high-quality training for professionals, rather than providing traditional degree programmes.
- All programmes are career-focused and skills-based, designed for professional development. The curriculum emphasises practical skills and industry knowledge to advance your career, ensuring that the learning is immediately applicable in real-world contexts.
- Completing a programme does not result in a degree or academic credit, nor does it confer rights or privileges at accredited educational institutions. You will receive a certificate of completion or similar acknowledgement from the Academy, but no university degree or transferable academic credits are awarded, and programme completion does not entitle you to any formal status at a college or university.
- The Academy operates independently of the formal UK higher education regulatory framework. London Reporting Academy and its programmes are not part of the UK’s accredited higher education system (i.e. not overseen by UK higher education regulators), reflecting the Academy’s role as a professional training provider.
2. Programme Details and Appendices
Programme-Specific Details. The specific details for each programme—including format, schedule, fees, any certificate or documentation awarded upon completion, and the duration of platform access—are set out in Appendix A – Programme Catalogue, which is incorporated by reference into this Agreement. No changes to such programme-specific details will alter the terms of this Agreement unless expressly stated in a written amendment signed by both parties.
3. Programme Enrolment and Eligibility
- Eligibility: By registering for a London Reporting Academy programme, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and meet any specifically stated prerequisites or eligibility criteria if they apply to a particular course. In the absence of any additional prerequisites, no prior professional or academic experience is required. The Academy reserves the right to decline or revoke enrolment if you provide false information or otherwise fail to meet these eligibility conditions.
- Admission is at the Academy’s discretion; we may decline or revoke enrolment if any information you provide is false or if you violate this Agreement.
- Personal Enrolment: Enrolment is personal to you and may not be transferred without our prior written consent.
- Accurate Information: You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the enrolment process and to keep it updated.
- Access Credentials: Upon successful enrolment and payment, you will receive personal login credentials to the Academy’s online platform. You are responsible for keeping these credentials confidential and for all activities under your account. You must not share your credentials with anyone else.
- Unauthorised Use: If you suspect any unauthorised use of your account, you must notify the Academy immediately. We are not liable for any loss arising from your failure to secure your account.
4. Fees and Payment
- Fee Structure: All programme fees (including any applicable taxes) must be paid in full prior to accessing the Academy’s online platform. Payment is due by the deadlines indicated in the enrolment materials or invoices. If fees are not received on time, the Academy reserves the right to deny or suspend your access to the programme until payment is made in full.
- Payment Authorisation: By providing a payment method (e.g., credit/debit card), you represent that you are authorised to use it and authorise the Academy to charge all applicable fees.
- Late or Non-Payment: Failure to pay by the due date may result in suspension or cancellation of your enrolment. The Academy may block access to online materials until overdue amounts are settled. In the event of non-payment or chargeback, we may pursue collection, and you may be responsible for collection costs.
- Currency and Taxes: All fees are stated in GBP (British Pound Sterling) unless otherwise noted. VAT or similar taxes are added as required by law.
- Non-Refundable After Start: Except as provided in the Refund Policy or required by law, all fees paid are non-refundable once the programme has begun.
5. Refund Policy
We aim for your satisfaction but recognise that plans can change. Below is our policy regarding refunds:
5.1. 14-Day Statutory Right to Cancel (Distance Enrolments)
Under UK consumer protection laws, you normally have the right to cancel within fourteen (14) calendar days after enrolment and receive a full refund. However, by choosing to receive immediate access to our online content and logging in to the platform, you expressly agree that the digital service begins before the end of the usual 14-day cancellation period. As a result, you lose your statutory right to cancel once you have accessed any of the digital course materials.
- If you have not accessed or downloaded any course content, you may still exercise your 14-day cancellation right from the day after your enrolment date, provided you notify us in writing before accessing the platform.
5.2. Cancellation Before Programme Start Date (If You Have Not Logged In)
For the purposes of this policy, the “Programme Start Date” is the exact date and time at which your payment is successfully processed and your access credentials are released.
For the Certified GRI Standards Course only, the “Programme Start Date” is the calendar date of the first live training session, as shown in your booking confirmation.
You may cancel your enrolment and receive a full refund only if we receive your written cancellation request before the Programme Start Date and before you log in or access any digital course materials.
Once the Programme Start Date has passed—or once you have logged in, whichever occurs first—no refund will be granted except where required by law or under extraordinary circumstances at the Academy’s sole discretion.
5.3. Cancellation Procedure
To cancel, you must contact the Academy in writing (e.g., by email to hello@reporting.academy) before you access the platform. Please include your full name, the programme name, and a clear statement of cancellation. We will confirm receipt and process refunds within 14 days to the original payment method (unless otherwise agreed).
5.4. After Accessing Materials or the Programme Start Date
Once you have accessed or downloaded any digital course materials, you forfeit your statutory cooling-off refund under UK law. Refunds after this point are available only where required by law or under the extraordinary-circumstances policy described in § 2.
5.5. Programme Cancellation by the Academy
If the Academy cancels or significantly alters a programme for reasons unrelated to any breach on your part, we will offer a full or pro-rated refund, as appropriate.
6. Programme Schedule and Changes
- Content and Schedule: The Academy may modify the programme content, schedule, or delivery format as needed to improve quality or address scheduling needs. Any significant changes will be communicated promptly (e.g., via email or platform notification). Modifications will not materially diminish the overall content or value of the programme.
- Cancellation or Rescheduling by Academy: We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule a programme for reasons such as low enrolment, instructor availability, technical issues, or other unforeseen circumstances.
- If cancelled before it starts, you will receive a full refund.
- If postponed, you may attend the rescheduled programme or request a full refund.
- If cancelled mid-programme (and not due to your misconduct), we will refund a pro-rata portion of tuition or provide an equivalent alternative.
- No Academic Credit: Participation does not confer academic credit toward any degree nor is it recognised as credit by any university. Any certificate or diploma issued is at the Academy’s discretion and does not represent an academic qualification.
- Platform Access Duration: You will have access to the online learning platform for the duration specified in Appendix A. After this period, access may be disabled unless otherwise agreed.
7. User Accounts and Platform Use
- Account Security: Keep your login credentials confidential and promptly reset your password if you suspect unauthorised use.
- Single Account: Do not create multiple accounts or share access. We may suspend or terminate duplicate or shared accounts.
- Your Responsibility: You are responsible for having the necessary equipment, software, and internet connection. The Academy is not liable for technical issues on your side.
- Technical Support: We provide reasonable support for accessing the platform. Temporary outages or interruptions may occur.
- Third-Party Tools: You may need to comply with separate terms for any third-party tools (e.g., videoconferencing or collaboration software). The Academy will inform you if additional terms apply.
8. Acceptable Use and Participant Conduct
Participants must use the platform and participate in the programme in a lawful, respectful, and ethical manner. Violations may lead to removal from the programme without refund. Prohibited content and activities include, but are not limited to:
- Harassment or Hate: Defamation, bullying, threats, or discrimination based on personal characteristics.
- Illegal Activities: Planning or promoting unlawful acts.
- Intellectual Property Infringement: Sharing copyrighted or trademarked content without permission, plagiarising others’ work.
- Unauthorised Disclosure: Posting confidential information you have no right to disclose.
- Obscenity or Offensive Material: Pornographic or grossly inappropriate content.
- Commercial Solicitation: Spamming, advertising, or marketing unrelated to the programme.
- Political Campaigning: Partisan campaigning or organising political activities not relevant to course content.
- False or Misleading Information: Deliberately spreading misinformation.
Additionally, you agree not to:
- Disrupt or harm the platform (e.g., by introducing malware).
- Attempt unauthorised access (e.g., hacking).
- Use bots or scripts to scrape data or copy content.
- Forge headers or impersonate others.
Academic Integrity: All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, sharing exam answers, or collaborating in unauthorised ways is strictly prohibited. Violations may result in disciplinary action, up to programme removal without refund.
9. Intellectual Property Rights
- Course Materials: All lectures, videos, slides, texts, graphics, and other materials (“Programme Content”) are owned by the Academy or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and use these materials for personal educational purposes only during the programme.
- Restrictions: You may not share, distribute, reproduce, publicly display, record, or create derivative works of any Programme Content without the Academy’s prior written consent. You may not allow anyone outside your enrolled cohort to use or access the materials.
- Academy Trademarks: The Academy’s names, logos, and trademarks may not be used without explicit permission. You are not authorised to represent yourself as an Academy agent or to misuse our brand.
- No Transfer of Ownership: Participation does not transfer ownership of any intellectual property rights to you. The Academy reserves all rights not expressly granted.
10. User-Generated Content and Confidentiality
- Ownership and Licence: By submitting or posting any content—including forum posts, assignments, messages or other materials—on or to the Academy’s systems (platform, email or any other submission channel), you confirm you have the right to do so and grant the Academy a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display that content for educational purposes within our programmes.
- Confidentiality: We treat participant contributions as confidential to the programme. Your content is accessible only to authorised individuals (fellow participants, instructors, staff). You agree not to share others’ content outside the programme without their permission.
- Personal Data and Privacy: We collect and use personal data (e.g., name, contact details, course activity) in accordance with UK data protection laws and our Privacy Policy. We do not sell personal data to third parties. We only share data with service providers or if legally required. You agree not to misuse personal data of other participants.
11. Disclaimers of Warranties
- Educational Service “As Is”: The Academy provides the programme and materials “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
- No Guarantee of Results: Your success depends on your own effort. We do not guarantee any particular outcome (e.g., passing certifications, job placement). Testimonials do not guarantee similar results.
- Platform Availability: We do not warrant uninterrupted, secure, or error-free access to the platform. You are responsible for protecting your devices and data.
- Accuracy of Content: While we strive for accuracy, we do not warrant that all information is error-free or fully up to date.
- Statutory Rights: Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer.
12. Limitation of Liability
- No Indirect Damages: The Academy is not liable for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits, business opportunities, or data loss.
- Cap on Direct Damages: To the extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claims related to this Agreement or your participation is limited to the total fees you paid for the programme. If the programme is free, liability is capped at £100.
- Force Majeure: We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, internet outages).
- No Exclusion Where Unlawful: We do not exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.
13. Termination and Suspension
- Termination by Academy: We may suspend or terminate your access for violation of these terms or misconduct, with or without notice. No refund is provided if termination is due to your breach.
- Termination by Participant: You may withdraw from the programme at any time. Refund eligibility is governed by our Refund Policy.
- Consequences: Upon termination, your licence to use Programme Content ends. You must cease using or sharing any proprietary materials obtained through the programme. Provisions regarding intellectual property, liability, and governing law survive termination.
14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
This Agreement and any dispute arising under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes.
If you are a consumer residing outside the UK, you may also have protections under your local mandatory laws. We encourage informal resolution before pursuing legal avenues.
15. Entire Agreement & Electronic Acceptance
- Entire Agreement: This Agreement—including the Privacy Policy and Appendix A – Programme Catalogue— constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Academy regarding your enrolment and participation. It supersedes any prior communications, written or oral, about the subject matter.
- Electronic Acceptance: By ticking the “I agree” tickbox and completing payment, you sign this Agreement electronically. No physical signature is required. A PDF copy of these terms will be made available for download after purchase.
- Amendments: Any amendment must be in writing. We will not unilaterally change these terms mid-programme without your consent. If any provision is deemed invalid, the remainder remains in effect.