TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Tutor Chooser, an online marketplace operated by Jardine Hall FZC ("we", "us", "our").  By accessing or using any part of the Tutor Chooser Platform from 27th June 2025 onward you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms").

If you do not accept these Terms you must not use the Platform.  These Terms replace and supersede the Phase I Soft‑Launch terms.

Certain fee-bearing features (defined in Section 8) commence on 29th August 2025; all other provisions take effect on 27th June 2025.

2. DEFINITIONS

1. "Platform" – the website at tutorchooser.ae and any related sub‑domains
2. "Parent" – an individual who creates a Parent Account in order to find Tutors for a Student
3. "Student" – an individual on whose behalf a Parent seeks tutoring services
4. "Tutor" – an individual who has completed verification on the Platform and offers tutoring services
5. "Memberstack" – the authentication and membership system we use to manage all user accounts and payment plans
6. "Stripe" – our third‑party payment processor
7. "Consultation Fee" – the fee paid by a Parent for the first meeting with a chosen Tutor
8. "Subscription" – the paid membership plan (monthly or annual) required for continued Platform access
9. “User” – any individual who accesses or uses the Platform, including Parents, Students and Tutors

3. WHO WE ARE

Tutor Chooser is owned and operated by:

Jardine Hall FZC Block B,
Office B25‑187,
Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP)
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Email: hello@tutorchooser.ae

4. SCOPE OF SERVICE

We provide a digital marketplace that enables Parents to identify and engage independent Tutors. Our role is limited to facilitating discovery, verification, and payment processing. We do not employ Tutors, nor do we oversee, direct, or control the lessons provided off‑platform. All tutoring contracts are formed directly between Parent and Tutor.

5. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION AND SECURITY

1. All users must register via Memberstack using their active email address
2. The Platform uses password‑less authentication - each login requires a unique six‑digit code sent to the registered email
3. Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their email inboxes, devices, and any codes received
4. Users must keep account information accurate and up‑to‑date

6. TUTOR ELIGIBILITY, VERIFICATION, AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE

1. Legal Right to Work
Each Tutor represents and warrants that they:
a) have the legal right to work in the United Arab Emirates
b) hold a valid UAE tutor licence issued and remains valid under the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) private tutor licensing scheme  (For guidance on obtaining the free private tutor licence, Tutors may refer to the official MOHRE resource: https://www.mohre.gov.ae/en/our-services/private-tutor-licensing.aspx

2. Identity and Credential Verification
a) Prior to listing services, Tutors must pay a one‑off verification fee to cover the costs of reviewing and verifying all identity and credential documents submitted
b) Verification is valid for twelve (12) months
c) An additional re-verification fee is payable for re‑verification of both identity and credentials documents every year, or whenever the Tutor wishes to amend any verified identity or credential detail
d) Pricing for the verification (and re-verification) fee will be published on www.tutorchooser.ae and may be subject to change
e) We may suspend or remove Tutor Profiles that fail or refuse verification

3. Ongoing Obligations
a) Tutors must maintain a valid licence and legal work status throughout their use of the Platform and must immediately inform us of any change that may affect eligibility

7. SAFEGUARDING AND SUPERVISION OF MINORS

At Tutor Chooser, the safety and wellbeing of children are of paramount importance.  While we act as an intermediary platform connecting parents with independent tutors, we are committed to promoting responsible conduct during all tutoring sessions.

1. Supervision
a) For any tutoring session involving students under the age of 18, Tutor Chooser strongly recommends that a parent, guardian, or responsible adult be present within the home or premises for the duration of the session.
b) This applies to both in-person and online lessons.

2. Parental Responsibility
a) Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring appropriate supervision during sessions.
b) Tutor Chooser does not assume responsibility or liability for any interactions between the tutor and the student beyond the facilitation of contact.

3. Safeguarding Expectations for Tutors
a) Tutors must conduct themselves professionally at all times and are expected to adhere to local safeguarding guidelines and any applicable UAE child protection laws, including Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 (Wadeema's Law).
b) Tutors must report any concerns relating to child welfare directly to the parent and, if appropriate, to local authorities.

4. Consent
a) By confirming a tutoring session, both parties acknowledge and agree to these safeguarding terms and take joint responsibility for maintaining a safe learning environment.

5. Compliance by Tutors with Code of Practice Annexed to Ministerial Resolution No. 710 of 2023 
a) Disclosure of any conflict of interest is necessary, since it is prohibited for teachers to provide services directly to students affiliated with their schools.
b) Confidentiality of information relating to students and parents must be maintained.
c) In no case may students be subjected to violence, either verbally or physically.
d) Avoid engaging in topics containing abnormal or extremist concepts or ideas that are inconsistent with the state's national identity.
e) Remain professional with your students and refrain from inappropriate activity, such as sending them emails or images.
f) Avoid physical contact.
g) Be respectful of the traditions of the United Arab Emirates and maintain a modest public appearance.

8. SUBSCRIPTIONS & PAYMENTS

1. Subscription Plans
a) From 29th August 2025 all Parents and Tutors require an active Subscription to use the Platform, either:
  i) Monthly plan
  ii) Annual plan (12 months for the price of 10)
b) Subscription fees are processed by Stripe and renew automatically unless cancelled before the renewal date
c) Pricing for subscription plans will be published on www.tutorchooser.ae and may be subject to change

2. Consultation (First Meeting) Fee
a) Each time a Parent requests to meet a Tutor they must pay a one-time Consultation Fee
  i) The flow is: Parent sends request → Tutor confirms availability → Stripe payment link is emailed to Parent → after successful payment contact details of both parties are released
  ii) The Consultation Fee is non‑refundable except where the Tutor cancels prior to first meeting or fails to attend
b) Pricing for consultation fees will be published on www.tutorchooser.ae and may be subject to change

3. Price Changes
a) We will give Users at least fourteen (14) days’ email notice before any increase to fees
b) Updates to pricing information on www.tutorchooser.ae alone do not constitute an amendment of these Terms

4. Taxes
a) All prices are inclusive of any applicable UAE VAT unless expressly stated otherwise
b) Users are responsible for their own tax filings arising from tutoring income or service consumption

5. Refunds
a) Subscription Fees are non-refundable
b) Consultation (First Meeting) fees are non-refundable, except where the Tutor cancels prior to first meeting or fails to attend

9. PAYMENT PROCESSING

All payments are processed securely via Stripe.  We do not store full card details on our servers.  Stripe may collect and process personal data in accordance with its own privacy policy.  Memberstack and Stripe are independent third-party services; their availability is outside our control and governed by their own terms.

10. USER RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents agree to:

1. Provide accurate Student information and objectives
2. Pay all applicable fees promptly
3. Conduct meetings in a safe and respectful manner

Tutors agree to:

1. Respond within 24 hours of being contacted by the Tutor Chooser team to either accept or decline offers of Consultations (First Meetings) once fee-bearing features are live
  a) Repeated failure to respond within this time frame will likely result in suspension from the platform
2. Honour accepted bookings
3. Conduct lessons professionally and in accordance with UAE law and any applicable educational standards
4. Obtain and maintain all permits, licences, and insurance required for private tutoring
5. Report any safeguarding concerns about a student’s safety or well being directly to the appropriate authorities.

All users agree not to:

1. Infringe any intellectual property rights
2. Use the Platform for unlawful or harmful activities
3. Post unlawful, defamatory, or abusive content
4. Solicit or share contact details before paying the Consultation Fee (fee-circumvention)
5. Circumvent or attempt to circumvent fees

11. CONTENT OWNERSHIP AND LICENCE

Users retain ownership of content they upload.  By posting content you grant us a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free licence to display and distribute that content on the Platform for the purpose of providing our services.

12. DISCLAIMER

We make no representations regarding the qualifications or suitability of any Tutor beyond the verification checks described above. To the fullest extent permitted by UAE law we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose.

13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Informal Dispute Resolution
1. If a dispute arises, the complaining Party must first send a written notice to hello@tutorchooser.ae and give the other Party 14 days to respond
2. Both Parties will use good-faith efforts to resolve the dispute amicably
3. If unresolved after 30 days, either Party may pursue formal remedies under Section 20 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction)

14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Our total aggregate liability to any user in connection with these Terms shall not exceed the greater of AED 250 or the total Subscription fees paid by that user in the twelve months preceding the claim.

We are not liable for indirect or consequential losses or for delay or failure caused by events beyond reasonable control, including internet or payment-gateway failures, government imposed restrictions, epidemics/pandemics, or natural disasters.

We make no representations regarding the qualifications or suitability of any Tutor beyond the verification checks described above. To the fullest extent permitted by UAE law we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose.

15. INDEMNITY

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Jardine Hall FZC, its officers, and employees from any claim arising out of their breach of these Terms or violation of law.

16. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION

We may suspend or terminate any account that breaches these Terms or applicable law.  Users may cancel their Subscription at any time through their dashboard; no refunds are provided for partial billing periods except where required by law.

17. PRIVACY

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share personal data.  By using the Platform you consent to our data practices as described therein.

18. CHANGES TO TERMS

We may amend these Terms from time to time.  Material changes will be notified via email or Platform notice at least fourteen (14) days prior to taking effect.  Continued use after that date constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO AGENCY; ASSIGNMENT; SEVERABILITY

1. Entire Agreement – These Terms constitute the entire agreement and supersede all prior understandings.
2. No Agency – Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, joint-venture, or agency relationship.  Tutors act as independent contractors.
3. Assignment – We may assign these Terms on notice; Users may not assign without written consent.
4. Severability – If any provision is held unlawful, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

20. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Arab Emirates.  Any disputes shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the UAE courts.

21. CONTACT

For questions regarding these Terms please contact us at hello@tutorchooser.ae