General Terms and Conditions
Education programmes and related professional services
Version and effective date: version 1.0, effective from 1 August 2026
Provider: Via Institute, s.r.o.
Contact: silvia.gallova@viainstitute.eu, www.viainstitute.eu
These Terms and Conditions provide the general framework. The specific terms of each programme are supplemented by the relevant agreement, order, programme guide or other programme documentation.
1. Preliminary Provisions
1.1. The provider of education and related professional services is Via Institute, s.r.o., with its registered office at Karpatská 18, 811 05 Bratislava, place of business at Krásna 29, 821 05 Bratislava, Company Registration Number 50 786 083, Tax Identification Number 2120468768, VAT Identification Number SK2120468768, email silvia.gallova@viainstitute.eu, website www.viains.eu (hereinafter referred to as ‘VIA Institute’ or the ‘Provider’).
1.2. These General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Terms and Conditions’) govern the fundamental rights and obligations relating to the provision of education programmes, training programmes, courses, workshops, mentoring, supervision, online education and other professional services by VIA Institute (each hereinafter also referred to as a ‘Programme’ or ‘Service’).
1.3. These Terms and Conditions apply unless an individual agreement, accepted order or specific terms of a particular Programme provide otherwise. Any differing individual agreement takes precedence; however, it may not restrict any consumer rights that cannot be waived by law.
2. Definitions and Contractual Status of the Parties
2.1. The Customer is the natural or legal person who enters into an agreement with VIA Institute and undertakes to pay the price of the Service. The Participant is the natural person who takes part in the Programme. The Customer and the Participant may be the same person.
2.2. The Payer is the person who pays the price on behalf of the Customer. Merely issuing an invoice to another person does not make that person the Customer or the Participant, unless the agreement or order provides otherwise.
2.3. A Consumer is a natural person who, when entering into and performing the agreement, is not acting within the scope of their business or profession. Provisions of these Terms and Conditions intended for Consumers apply only to consumer relationships.
2.4. Where an organisation orders a Programme for an employee or another person, the organisation is generally the Customer and the person it designates is the Participant. The Customer shall ensure that the Participant is familiar with the rules on participation, confidentiality, ethics, use of materials and assessment.
3. Programme Information and Conclusion of the Agreement
3.1. Information about a Programme may be provided, in particular, on the website, in an information brochure, Programme guide, offer, order, individual agreement or written communication.
3.2. For long-term training programmes and other extensive Programmes, the contractual relationship arises upon the conclusion of a separate agreement. For shorter Programmes, it may arise when VIA Institute confirms the registration or order, or upon payment of the price where this has been clearly communicated in advance.
3.3. Before the agreement is concluded, the Customer will receive information, in particular, about the essential content and scope of the Service, dates, location or mode of delivery, total price, payment terms, participation and completion requirements, and any accreditation or certification status.
3.4. The agreement is concluded only when VIA Institute accepts the order or signs the individual agreement. Submission of a non-binding form or enquiry does not in itself guarantee admission to the Programme.
3.5. The Customer is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided and shall notify VIA Institute of any change without undue delay.
4. Programme Delivery and Professional Framework
4.1. VIA Institute shall provide the Programme to the agreed scope, quality and professional standard, in accordance with its objectives, description and the applicable professional or accreditation standards.
4.2. The specific content, scope, schedule, location, mode of delivery, teaching team and assessment method are set out in the documentation for the relevant Programme.
4.3. VIA Institute may make reasonable methodological or organisational adjustments that do not change the essential nature, overall scope, stated outcomes or accreditation status of the Programme.
4.4. Where a Programme is accredited or is undergoing accreditation, its current status will be communicated accurately and clearly. Completion of a Programme does not in itself guarantee the award of an individual professional accreditation, membership or credential where the decision rests with a third party.
4.5. A certificate or diploma will be issued only if the requirements of the particular Programme have been met, including, in particular, attendance, practice, mentoring, assignments, assessment, ethical rules and payment of the price. Professional feedback or failure to meet an assessment criterion does not in itself constitute a defect in the Service.
5. Rights and Obligations of the Participant
5.1. The Participant is entitled to receive the agreed Service, timely organisational information, a safe and respectful learning environment, access to the agreed materials, feedback to the extent provided by the Programme, and the opportunity to raise a concern or submit a complaint.
5.2. The Participant undertakes to engage actively and responsibly in learning, comply with the organisational, safety, ethical and educational rules of the Programme, and respect other persons and any instructions of the teaching team that are reasonable in view of the nature of the Programme.
5.3. The Participant shall maintain the confidentiality of personal and professional information learned during practice sessions, reflection, mentoring, supervision, observation of recordings or case work.
5.4. The Participant is responsible for meeting the Programme completion requirements. Non-attendance for reasons attributable to the Participant does not in itself give rise to a right to a proportionate refund. Arrangements for making up missed content are governed by the Programme terms and VIA Institute’s capacity.
5.5. If the Participant requires a reasonable adjustment due to a disability or particular need, they shall notify VIA Institute in good time and to the extent necessary to assess the available options. VIA Institute will seek to agree a reasonable solution that does not alter the essential professional or assessment requirements of the Programme.
6. Price and Payment Terms
6.1. The price of the Service is specified in the offer, order, Programme guide or individual agreement. Before the agreement is concluded, a Consumer is informed of the total price, including VAT and all mandatory charges. A price excluding VAT may be quoted to businesses or organisations, provided this is clearly indicated.
6.2. The price is payable as a single payment or in agreed instalments. An instalment schedule is merely a method of paying one total Programme price and does not constitute a monthly subscription or payment for individual modules.
6.3. An invoice is deemed paid when the relevant amount is credited to VIA Institute’s account. Bank charges and any other costs associated with payment are borne by the Customer.
6.4. In the event of late payment, VIA Institute will first request payment from the Customer and give them a reasonable opportunity to remedy the default or agree an alternative payment date. If the Customer does not respond, fails to comply with the agreement or remains in default, VIA Institute may suspend further participation, assessment, the issue of a certificate or access to online resources until payment is made. This does not affect the obligation to pay the agreed price.
6.5. VIA Institute may set off due and payable claims against the Customer to the extent permitted by law.
7. Cancellation of Participation after Expiry of the Statutory Withdrawal Period
7.1. The Customer shall notify VIA Institute of cancellation in writing by email. The date on which VIA Institute receives the notice is decisive.
7.2. Unless the specific terms of the Programme provide otherwise, the following cancellation policy applies where participation is cancelled before the Programme begins:
- 60 or more calendar days before the Programme begins: no cancellation fee;
- 30 to 59 calendar days before the Programme begins: 25% of the total Programme price;
- 15 to 29 calendar days before the Programme begins: 50% of the total Programme price;
- 14 or fewer calendar days before the Programme begins: 100% of the total Programme price.
7.3. The Programme is deemed to begin on the date specified in the agreement or Programme documentation. Where the Programme includes an earlier mandatory online or asynchronous component, the documentation for the particular Programme may specify an earlier start date.
7.4. If the Customer voluntarily ends participation after the Programme has begun, the Customer remains obliged to pay 100% of the total price, even if the Participant does not complete the Programme. Payments already made will be credited against the price and the outstanding balance remains payable in accordance with the agreed instalment schedule, unless VIA Institute agrees a more favourable settlement for the Customer in writing.
7.5. Voluntary termination of participation also includes termination for reasons attributable to the Participant or Customer, including a change in personal, employment, health or financial circumstances, or subjective dissatisfaction that does not constitute an acknowledged defect in the Service.
7.6. Depending on the circumstances, VIA Institute may allow participation to be transferred to another suitable person, deferred to a subsequent cohort, selected parts to be completed on an alternative basis, or another individual solution, where permitted by the nature and stage of the Programme, available capacity and accreditation rules. There is no automatic entitlement to any such solution.
7.7. The cancellation terms do not apply to a Consumer’s statutory withdrawal under Clause 8 or to lawful termination of the agreement due to a serious breach of VIA Institute’s obligations. The Consumer’s statutory rights remain unaffected.
8. Consumer Withdrawal from a Distance or Off-Premises Contract
8.1. Where an agreement with a Consumer was concluded at a distance or away from VIA Institute’s business premises, the Consumer has the right to withdraw from the agreement without giving any reason within 14 days from the date on which the agreement was concluded, unless the law provides for a longer period or an exception.
8.2. The time limit is met if the Consumer sends the notice of withdrawal no later than its final day. The notice may be sent to VIA Institute’s registered office or by email to silvia.gallova@viainstitute.eu. The Consumer may use the form in the Appendix to these Terms and Conditions, but is not required to do so.
8.3. If the Consumer expressly requests that the Service begin before the withdrawal period expires and subsequently withdraws, the Consumer shall pay for the performance actually provided up to the time VIA Institute receives the notice of withdrawal, provided the statutory conditions are met.
8.4. The Consumer loses the right to withdraw once the Service has been fully provided, if performance began before the withdrawal period expired with the Consumer’s express consent and the Consumer confirmed that they had been informed that the right would be lost upon full performance of the Service.
8.5. For digital content supplied otherwise than on a tangible medium, the Consumer may lose the right to withdraw when supply begins only after giving express consent, acknowledging that the right to withdraw will thereby be lost, and where the other statutory conditions have been met. This rule applies to the relevant digital content according to the nature of the agreement.
8.6. VIA Institute will refund to the Consumer any payments refundable by law no later than 14 days after receiving the notice of withdrawal, using the same payment method as the Consumer used, unless the parties agree otherwise without any additional cost to the Consumer.
9. Changes, Rescheduling and Cancellation by VIA Institute
9.1. For serious organisational, health, technical, capacity-related or other objective reasons, VIA Institute may change the trainer, venue, mode of delivery or date of a Programme, while ensuring a comparable professional standard and informing Participants without undue delay.
9.2. If a change materially affects the agreed scope or nature of the Service, VIA Institute will offer a reasonable solution, such as an alternative date, comparable substitute performance, transfer to another cohort or a refund of the price attributable to the part of the Service not provided.
9.3. If VIA Institute cancels a Programme without providing a reasonable alternative, it will refund the Customer the price paid for the Service not provided. VIA Institute is not liable for indirect costs incurred by the Customer or Participant, such as travel and accommodation expenses, unless otherwise required by law.
9.4. In circumstances beyond VIA Institute’s reasonable control, including serious illness, infrastructure failure, a decision of a public authority or another exceptional event, performance may be reasonably postponed or modified. The parties will seek a solution that preserves the purpose of the Programme as far as possible and takes reasonable account of performance already provided.
10. Online Education and Technical Requirements
10.1. For online education, the Participant is responsible for providing a suitable device, up-to-date software, a stable internet connection and an environment appropriate to the confidential nature of the Programme.
10.2. A technical issue on the Participant’s side is not considered a defect in the Service. VIA Institute will nevertheless make reasonable efforts to provide organisational or technical support.
10.3. If a technical issue attributable to VIA Institute materially prevents participation, VIA Institute will provide an appropriate remedy suited to the nature of the Programme, such as an alternative date, access to substitute content or another comparable form of performance.
11. Confidentiality, Safety and Recordings
11.1. Confidentiality applies in particular to personal stories, professional cases, practice sessions, feedback, mentoring, supervision, recordings observed or assessed, and information concerning other Participants.
11.2. An audio, visual or audiovisual recording of an education session may be made only with the prior consent of VIA Institute and all persons concerned. VIA Institute will give advance notice if any part of a Programme is recorded for organisational or educational purposes.
11.3. VIA Institute is not liable for unlawful or unethical conduct by an individual Participant, but will take reasonable measures if it becomes aware of a breach of confidentiality or safety.
12. Learning Materials and Intellectual Property
12.1. Learning materials, videos, worksheets, visual materials, methodologies and other content are intended for the Participant’s personal educational and professional use to the extent communicated in connection with the Programme.
12.2. Without VIA Institute’s prior written consent, these materials may not be publicly distributed, sold, published, made available to third parties, systematically reproduced, stripped of any attribution or source marking, or used to deliver the Participant’s own education programme.
12.3. Access to the online environment is personal. The Participant must not share their login details with another person or circumvent technical or access restrictions.
12.4. The period of access to online resources is specified in the terms of the particular Programme. VIA Institute may terminate access when that period expires.
13. Concerns, Dissatisfaction and Complaints
13.1. During or after a Programme, the Participant or Customer may provide feedback, raise a concern or express dissatisfaction. Such a communication does not in itself constitute a complaint and does not automatically give rise to an entitlement to a discount, refund or termination of the payment obligation.
13.2. A complaint is the exercise of a right arising from liability for a defective Service, in particular an allegation that a Programme or any part of it was not provided to the agreed scope, quality or format, or in accordance with the information provided before the agreement was concluded.
13.3. Subjective dissatisfaction, differences between the Programme and personal expectations that did not form part of the agreement, disagreement with a professional opinion, the educational method used, professional feedback or an assessment outcome, or a decision not to continue do not, in themselves, constitute a defect in the Service.
13.4. VIA Institute will assess a submission according to its substance, irrespective of how it is labelled. In doing so, it will consider, in particular, the agreement, Programme documentation, stated objectives, schedule, delivery records, materials and other relevant information.
13.5. If a defect in the Service is established, VIA Institute will provide an appropriate remedy corresponding to its nature and seriousness. This may include completing or providing again part of the Programme, another appropriate form of performance, a reasonable discount or a financial settlement for the part of the Service not provided. A full refund may be considered in the case of a serious and irremediable defect that fundamentally prevents the purpose of the agreement from being fulfilled.
13.6. Raising a concern or submitting a complaint does not automatically suspend the obligation to pay the agreed instalments or alter the terms of participation, unless the parties agree otherwise or the law requires a different procedure.
13.7. The detailed procedure for submitting and handling complaints is set out in the VIA Institute Complaints Procedure published at www.viains.eu. Submitting a complaint does not affect the Consumer’s statutory rights.
13.8. Completion of the Programme and the issue of a certificate or diploma do not restrict statutory rights arising from liability for defects. However, neither the mere issue of a certificate or diploma nor subjective dissatisfaction expressed at a later date automatically gives rise to a right to a refund.
14. Suspension or Termination of Participation by VIA Institute
14.1. After giving reasonable notice, VIA Institute may suspend or terminate the participation of a person who seriously or repeatedly breaches the payment, organisational, ethical, safety, confidentiality or educational rules of the Programme, compromises group safety, or acts contrary to professional or accreditation requirements.
14.2. Before making a decision, VIA Institute will, where practicable, identify the specific breach, hear the Participant’s response and provide a reasonable opportunity to remedy the breach. Immediate action may be taken where there is a serious threat to safety, confidentiality, the rights of others or the professional integrity of the Programme.
14.3. Where participation is terminated due to a material breach of obligations by the Customer or Participant, the financial settlement will be governed by the same principles as voluntary termination after the Programme has begun, unless mandatory law or an individual agreement provides otherwise.
15. Liability
15.1. VIA Institute is responsible for the proper provision of the agreed Service. It is not responsible for how the Participant applies the knowledge gained in practice, for the Participant’s individual professional outcomes, or for decisions by third parties concerning accreditation, membership or a credential.
15.2. Education, mentoring or supervision provided as part of a Programme is not a substitute for healthcare, psychotherapy, legal, tax or other regulated professional advice, unless expressly agreed otherwise.
15.3. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits any liability or right to the extent that it cannot be excluded or limited by law.
16. Personal Data Protection
16.1. Personal data are processed to the extent necessary for pre-contractual communication, conclusion and performance of the agreement, Programme administration, record-keeping, compliance with legal obligations and the protection of VIA Institute’s legitimate interests.
16.2. Details of the processing of personal data are set out in the current Privacy Policy published at www.viains.eu.
17. Dispute Resolution and Alternative Resolution of Consumer Disputes
17.1. VIA Institute prefers to resolve concerns through constructive and respectful communication and agreement. This does not restrict either party’s right to apply to the competent authority or court.
17.2. A Consumer is entitled to submit a request for remedy to VIA Institute if they are dissatisfied with the way their complaint has been handled or believe that their rights have been infringed.
17.3. If VIA Institute rejects the request for remedy or does not respond within 30 days after it was sent, the Consumer may submit a proposal to initiate alternative dispute resolution to the competent alternative dispute resolution entity. The competent entity is, in particular, the Slovak Trade Inspection; current information is available at www.soi.sk.
17.4. Contacting the Ombudsman of the Association of Adult Education Institutions in the Slovak Republic at ombudsman@aivd.sk is an additional option and does not replace statutory remedies.
18. Final Provisions
18.1. Legal relationships are governed by the laws of the Slovak Republic. In the case of a Consumer, this does not affect the protection afforded to them by mandatory provisions applicable under the rules of private international law.
18.2. The version of the Terms and Conditions applicable to a particular contractual relationship is the version which was brought to the Customer’s attention when the agreement was concluded and provided to them on a durable medium or otherwise in accordance with the law.
18.3. A subsequent amendment to these Terms and Conditions does not automatically apply to agreements already concluded, unless the parties agree otherwise or the amendment results from legislation.
18.4. If any provision becomes invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect. The affected provision will be replaced by the applicable statutory provision and an interpretation that most closely reflects its permitted purpose.
18.5. These Terms and Conditions enter into force and effect on 1 August 2026.