General Terms and Conditions – NiCHiRaN

1. Registration and Enrolment

Registration for a course can be completed through the registration form on the NiCHiRaN website or by contacting us by email.

By registering for a course, you indicate that you wish to participate in the course and agree to these General Terms and Conditions.

2. Confirmation of Registration

After registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation by email and a digital invoice.

No later than three working days before the start of the course, you will receive the final course details, including the starting date, time and other relevant information.

Your access to the course is confirmed once the required payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed.

3. Number of Participants

Our group courses generally have a minimum of 4 participants and a maximum of 10 participants.

If the minimum number of participants is not reached, NiCHiRaN reserves the right to cancel or postpone the course. Participants will be informed as soon as possible.

Places are allocated in the order in which registrations are received.

4. Payment

Registration creates an obligation to pay the course fee and, where applicable, the cost of course materials.

Payment must be made according to the payment instructions on the invoice and before the start of the course, unless another arrangement has been agreed with NiCHiRaN.

For online courses, payment must be received before the first lesson.

5. Course Materials

The course information indicates which textbook or other materials are required.

Course materials are not included in the course fee, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Participants may purchase the required materials themselves or order them through NiCHiRaN. Materials for online courses can, where applicable, be sent by post.

Participants are responsible for having the required materials available before or at the start of the course.

6. Online Lessons and Technical Requirements

Lessons are mainly conducted online using platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.

Participants are responsible for having:

• a suitable computer, tablet or other device;
• a stable internet connection;
• a working microphone and, where appropriate, a camera;
• the required software or browser;
• a suitable environment in which to participate in the lesson.

NiCHiRaN cannot be held responsible for technical problems caused by the participant’s own equipment, internet connection, software or other technical circumstances outside NiCHiRaN’s control.

If a technical problem occurs on the NiCHiRaN side and prevents the lesson from taking place, NiCHiRaN will make reasonable efforts to find a suitable solution, such as rescheduling or providing a replacement lesson.

7. Cancellation or Postponement by NiCHiRaN

NiCHiRaN reserves the right to cancel or postpone a course if there are insufficient registrations or if other circumstances make it impossible or unreasonable to offer the course.

Participants will be informed as soon as possible and, where possible, no later than four days before the scheduled start of the course.

If a course is cancelled by NiCHiRaN, participants may choose an alternative course if one is offered. If no suitable alternative is accepted, any course fee already paid will be refunded.

8. Cancellation by the Participant

Cancellation by the participant is subject to the applicable statutory rights under Dutch and European consumer law.

Where a statutory right of withdrawal does not apply, the following cancellation conditions apply:

• Cancellation more than 14 days before the start of the course may be subject to an administration fee of 25% of the course fee.
• Cancellation within 14 days before the start of the course may be subject to an administration fee of 50% of the course fee.
• Once the course has started, the full course fee remains payable, unless otherwise agreed or required by law.

If cancellation is due to serious personal or medical circumstances, NiCHiRaN may, at its discretion, consider an alternative arrangement. Appropriate supporting documentation may be requested where relevant.

Statutory consumer rights always take precedence over these cancellation conditions.

9. Statutory Right of Withdrawal

Where applicable under Dutch or European consumer law, consumers have a statutory 14-day withdrawal period when entering into an agreement online.

If the participant requests that the course starts during this withdrawal period, the participant may be required to expressly request this.

If the service has been fully performed during the withdrawal period following the participant’s express request and acknowledgement of the consequences, the statutory right of withdrawal may expire.

NiCHiRaN will provide the information required by applicable consumer law regarding the right of withdrawal.

10. Termination During a Course

If a participant decides to stop attending a course after it has started, this does not automatically entitle the participant to a refund of the remaining lessons.

This is because group courses are planned and priced on the basis of a fixed number of participants.

Exceptions may apply where required by law or where NiCHiRaN agrees to an alternative arrangement.

11. Absence and Missed Lessons

If a participant is unable to attend a group lesson, the course fee will not be reduced or refunded.

Where possible, NiCHiRaN may provide access to a recording or other materials so that participants can catch up with the missed lesson.

If NiCHiRaN cancels a lesson, an appropriate replacement or make-up arrangement will be offered where reasonably possible.

For private lessons, the cancellation and rescheduling conditions described in the applicable agreement or booking information apply.

12. Cancellation of Private Lessons

For individual lessons, participants may cancel or reschedule a lesson free of charge if they notify NiCHiRaN at least 48 hours before the scheduled lesson.

For cancellations or changes made less than 48 hours before the lesson, the lesson will be charged in full.

13. Teachers and Course Content

NiCHiRaN reserves the right to make reasonable changes to teachers, lesson content, course schedules or teaching methods when necessary.

We will make every effort to ensure that such changes do not negatively affect the quality or continuity of the course.

14. Recording of Online Lessons

Where appropriate, online group lessons may be recorded to allow participants who are unable to attend to catch up.

Participants will be informed when a lesson is being recorded.

Recordings are intended exclusively for participants of the relevant course and may not be downloaded, shared, published or distributed to third parties without permission from NiCHiRaN and the persons appearing in the recording.

NiCHiRaN handles recordings in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.

15. Behaviour and Participation

Participants are expected to behave respectfully towards teachers and fellow participants.

NiCHiRaN reserves the right to take appropriate measures in cases of serious or repeated inappropriate behaviour, including refusing access to lessons or terminating participation in a course.

Such measures do not automatically entitle the participant to a refund.

16. Examinations and Certificates

Unless explicitly stated in the course description, NiCHiRaN courses do not automatically include an official examination or diploma.

Where appropriate, NiCHiRaN may provide a certificate of participation, statement of attendance or testimonial upon request.

Such documents do not constitute an officially recognised language diploma unless explicitly stated otherwise.

17. Liability

NiCHiRaN will make every reasonable effort to provide courses with care and professionalism.

NiCHiRaN is not liable for damage, loss, theft or injury occurring during participation in a course or activity, except where such liability cannot legally be excluded.

NiCHiRaN is not responsible for problems caused by the participant’s own equipment, internet connection, software or other circumstances outside NiCHiRaN’s reasonable control.

Nothing in these General Terms and Conditions limits any liability that cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.

18. Force Majeure

NiCHiRaN is not responsible for delays, cancellations or other consequences resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including technical failures, internet or platform outages, government measures, natural disasters, illness or other forms of force majeure.

Where reasonably possible, NiCHiRaN will seek an appropriate alternative, such as rescheduling a lesson or offering an alternative solution.

19. Privacy

NiCHiRaN processes personal data in accordance with applicable privacy legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

For more information about the collection, use and protection of personal data, please refer to the NiCHiRaN Privacy Statement.

20. Changes to the General Terms and Conditions

NiCHiRaN reserves the right to amend these General Terms and Conditions when necessary.

The version applicable at the time of registration will normally apply to the agreement, unless a later amendment is required by law or agreed otherwise.

21. Applicable Law

These General Terms and Conditions and agreements between NiCHiRaN and participants are governed by Dutch law, unless mandatory statutory provisions provide otherwise.

Any disputes will be handled in accordance with the applicable rules of Dutch law and consumer protection legislation.

22. Agreement

By registering for a course and making the required payment, the participant confirms that they have read and accepted these General Terms and Conditions.

If any provision of these General Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

NiCHiRaN will make reasonable efforts to replace the invalid provision with a valid provision that reflects the original intention as closely as possible.