TERMS OF SERVICE

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing the Consensus website, purchasing our workshops, or entering our competitions, you engage in our "Service" and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. These terms apply to all users, including browsers, students, parents, and contributors of content. If you do not agree to all terms, you may not access our services.

2. ELIGIBILITY AND CONDUCT

  • Minor Participants: Our services are designed for students. If you are under 18, you represent that you have obtained parental or guardian consent to participate.

  • Code of Conduct: Consensus is a platform for robust, open debate. All participants must engage in "charitable interpretation"—representing opposing views as strongly and fairly as their own.

  • Prohibited Use: You are prohibited from using our site or services for any unlawful purpose, to solicit others to perform illegal acts, or to harass, abuse, or discriminate based on protected characteristics. Consensus reserves the unilateral right to terminate your service or disqualify entries without a refund for violations of this code.

3. WORKSHOPS: BOOKINGS, PAYMENTS, AND REFUNDS

  • Contract Formation: Your place is confirmed only upon receipt of full payment. All prices include mandatory UK charges.

  • Right to Cancel (Cooling-Off): Under UK Consumer Contract Regulations, you have the right to cancel your booking within 14 days of purchase for a full refund, provided the workshop has not commenced.

  • Waiver of Cancellation Right: If you book a workshop scheduled to begin within 14 days of purchase, you expressly acknowledge and agree that your right to a full refund is waived once the service has started.

  • Cancellations and Missed Sessions: We do not offer refunds for cancellations made within 7 days of the workshop start date, nor do we offer pro-rata refunds for individual missed sessions within a multi-week course.

4. ESSAY COMPETITIONS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

  • Originality and AI: All entries must be your original work. Plagiarism or the use of generative AI to produce your submission will result in automatic disqualification.

  • Authorship Verification: Consensus reserves the right to verify authorship through a "viva voce" (oral interview) with shortlisted entrants. Refusal to participate in this verification will result in disqualification.

  • Licensing: You retain ownership of your essay. However, by entering, you grant Consensus a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and sub-licensable license to publish, edit, and distribute your work across our digital platforms and promotional materials.

  • Consensus Content: All workshop materials, guides, and digital resources are the intellectual property of Consensus. They are provided for personal, non-commercial use only.

5. DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

  • Not Legal Advice: Consensus provides educational content on free speech and debating. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.

  • Service Availability: Our website and resources are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not warrant that your use of the service will be uninterrupted or error-free.

  • Liability Limit: To the maximum extent permitted by the laws of England and Wales, Consensus, its founders, and affiliates shall not be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct or indirect damages of any kind arising from your use of our service.

6. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Consensus and its team from any claim or demand, including reasonable legal fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of your breach of these Terms of Service or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

7. GENERAL PROVISIONS

  • Severability: If any part of these Terms is determined to be unlawful or unenforceable, that part shall be deemed severed, and the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable.

  • Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Consensus, superseding any prior agreements or communications.

  • Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

8. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions regarding these Terms of Service should be sent to support@consensus-uk.com