Version 1.0

Effective Date: 1 June 2026

PART 1 – GENERAL TERMS

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Consultz platform, website, mobile applications and all related services (collectively referred to as the "Platform").

The Platform is operated by Consultz Global Limited ("Consultz", "we", "our" or "us").

Consultz is an online marketplace that enables individuals and businesses seeking professional advice ("Consultees") to connect with independent professionals ("Consultants") for live video consultations.

By creating an account, accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

2. Definitions

Throughout these Terms:

Account means a registered user account.

Applicable Law means all laws, regulations and statutory requirements applicable to the Platform.

Booking means a confirmed appointment between a Consultee and a Consultant.

Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England.

Consultant means an independent expert offering professional consultations through the Platform.

Consultation means any video consultation provided through Consultz.

Consultee means any person booking or receiving a consultation.

Content means text, images, documents, audio, video, recordings, messages and other information uploaded or transmitted through the Platform.

Fees means consultation fees charged by Consultants.

Platform means the Consultz website, mobile applications and all associated services.

Stripe means Stripe Payments Europe Limited or any alternative payment processor appointed by Consultz.

Working Days means Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England.

3. About Consultz

Consultz provides technology that enables Consultants and Consultees to meet remotely through secure video consultations.

Consultz is not:

• a law firm
• a medical practice
• a financial advisory firm
• an accountancy practice
• an estate agency
• an educational institution
• an employment agency
• nor a provider of any professional services advertised by Consultants.

Consultz merely provides the technology platform facilitating introductions, bookings, payments and video consultations.

Consultants operate independently and are solely responsible for:

• the advice they provide
• their qualifications
• maintaining professional licences where applicable
• complying with professional regulations
• complying with tax laws
• obtaining insurance where appropriate
• maintaining continuing professional competence.

Consultants do not represent Consultz.

Nothing in these Terms creates:

• employment
• partnership
• agency
• joint venture
• franchise

between Consultz and any Consultant.

4. Eligibility

You must be at least eighteen (18) years old to create an account.

By using Consultz you warrant that:

• all information supplied is accurate;
• you have legal capacity to enter into contracts;
• you are not prohibited from using online payment services;
• you will comply with all applicable laws.

Businesses using the Platform warrant that the individual registering the Account has authority to bind that business.

5. User Accounts

Users must register an account before booking or providing consultations.

You agree to:

• provide accurate information;
• keep information up to date;
• keep passwords secure;
• maintain confidentiality of login credentials;
• notify Consultz immediately of unauthorised access.

Users are responsible for all activity occurring under their accounts.

Consultz reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts where false information has been supplied.

6. Identity Verification

Consultz may require identity verification at any time.

Verification may include:

• government-issued identification;
• proof of address;
• professional qualifications;
• business registration documents;
• licences;
• insurance certificates;
• tax information.

Failure to provide requested information may result in suspension.

7. Consultant Applications

Consultants may only join Consultz by invitation or approval.

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Consultz reserves absolute discretion whether to approve or reject any application without providing reasons.

Consultants may be removed from the Platform at any time where Consultz reasonably considers that doing so protects the integrity, reputation or safety of the Platform.

8. Consultant Obligations

Consultants warrant that:

• they possess the qualifications claimed;
• all information supplied is accurate;
• they will only provide services within their area of expertise;
• they hold all required licences;
• they maintain professional indemnity insurance where appropriate;
• they will behave professionally;
• they will not discriminate against users;
• they will comply with all applicable laws.

Consultants remain solely responsible for their own professional advice.

9. Consultee Responsibilities

Consultees agree:

• to provide accurate booking information;
• to attend consultations punctually;
• to behave respectfully;
• not to abuse Consultants;
• not to record consultations unless permitted;
• not to misuse the Platform.

Consultz cannot guarantee that advice provided will produce any particular outcome.

10. Nature of Consultations

Consultations are provided exclusively by independent Consultants.

Consultz:

• does not supervise consultations;
• does not verify every statement made by Consultants;
• does not guarantee accuracy;
• does not endorse opinions;
• does not provide legal, financial, medical or tax advice.

All professional advice remains solely the responsibility of the Consultant.

Users must exercise their own judgment before relying upon advice received.

11. No Professional Relationship with Consultz

No professional relationship arises between Consultz and the Consultee.

Any professional relationship exists solely between:

• the Consultant; and
• the Consultee.

Consultz accepts no responsibility for advice provided.

12. Platform Availability

Although Consultz aims for uninterrupted availability, we do not guarantee:

• uninterrupted service;
• error-free operation;
• continuous availability;
• compatibility with all devices.

Maintenance may occur without notice.

Consultz shall not be liable for outages beyond its reasonable control.

13. Changes to the Platform

Consultz may:

• introduce new features;
• remove features;
• update software;
• modify pricing structures;
• improve security;
• discontinue services.

Such changes may occur without prior notice where reasonably necessary.

14. Acceptance of Risk

Users acknowledge that:

• online communications may fail;
• internet interruptions occur;
• Consultants are independent;
• professional opinions may differ;
• Consultz cannot guarantee outcomes.

Use of the Platform is entirely at the user's own risk.

15. Booking Consultations

Consultants determine:

• their own availability;
• consultation durations;
• consultation fees;
• the categories of advice they provide;
• any additional information required before a consultation.

Consultees may browse Consultant profiles and request or book available consultation slots through the Platform.

A booking is only confirmed once payment has been successfully authorised and confirmation has been issued by Consultz.

Consultz reserves the right to refuse or cancel bookings where fraud, payment failure or technical issues are suspected.

16. Consultation Fees

Each Consultant independently determines the fees charged for their consultations.

Consultz does not set, negotiate or recommend Consultant pricing.

Consultation fees displayed on the Platform represent the Consultant's fee before any applicable taxes unless otherwise stated.

Where applicable, VAT or other taxes may be added at checkout.

Consultants remain solely responsible for ensuring that their pricing complies with all applicable laws.

17. Payment Processing

All payments made through the Platform shall be processed through Stripe or another payment provider appointed by Consultz.

Consultz may change payment providers at any time without notice.

By making a booking, the Consultee authorises Consultz and its payment processor to collect the full amount payable.

Payment must be successfully authorised before any booking is confirmed.

18. Role of Consultz

Consultz acts solely as:

• an online marketplace;
• a technology provider;
• a booking platform; and
• a payment collection agent for Consultants.

Consultz is not the supplier of the professional consultation.

The professional services are supplied solely by the Consultant.

Accordingly:

• the contract for professional services exists exclusively between the Consultant and the Consultee;
• Consultz accepts no responsibility for the content, quality or outcome of any consultation;
• Consultants are solely responsible for complying with all legal, tax and regulatory obligations relating to their services.

19. Platform Fee

In consideration for providing the Consultz Platform, including its technology, booking facilities, payment processing services, marketing, customer support and associated infrastructure, Consultz shall charge each Consultant a Platform Fee equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Consultant's consultation fee, together with any applicable Value Added Tax (VAT) or other indirect taxes chargeable on the Platform Fee in accordance with applicable law.

The Consultant irrevocably authorises Consultz to deduct the Platform Fee, together with any applicable VAT or other indirect taxes chargeable on that Platform Fee, from all monies collected through the Platform before remitting the remaining balance to the Consultant.

The Platform Fee shall become due immediately upon successful completion of the consultation.

20. VAT Treatment

Each Consultant is solely responsible for determining whether they are required to register for, charge, collect, report and pay any Value Added Tax (VAT), Goods and Services Tax (GST), sales tax or other indirect taxes applicable to the professional services they provide through the Platform in accordance with the laws of their jurisdiction.

Where the Platform provides functionality for Consultants to specify an applicable VAT, GST or other indirect tax rate, the Consultant is solely responsible for ensuring that the selected tax rate is accurate, lawful and kept up to date. Consultz is entitled to rely upon the tax information provided by the Consultant and shall have no responsibility to verify its accuracy.

Where a Consultant has registered for VAT, GST or any equivalent indirect tax, the Consultant may specify the applicable tax rate within the Platform. Where applicable, such tax shall be added separately to the Consultant's consultation fee at the time of booking and collected on the Consultant's behalf.

Where a Consultant is not required to register for or charge VAT, GST or any equivalent indirect tax, no such tax shall be added to the consultation fee.

The Consultant remains solely responsible for charging, collecting, accounting for, reporting and remitting all applicable VAT, GST, sales tax or other indirect taxes to the relevant tax authority and for complying with all applicable tax laws in their jurisdiction.

Consultz's Platform Fee is separate from the Consultant's professional services. Consultz shall charge any applicable VAT or other indirect taxes on its Platform Fee in accordance with applicable law.

Consultz does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice and accepts no responsibility whatsoever for a Consultant's tax affairs, tax registrations, tax rates, tax filings or tax liabilities. Consultants are encouraged to obtain independent professional advice regarding their tax obligations.

21. Stripe Connected Accounts

Consultants are required to create, maintain and keep active a valid Stripe Connected Account (or such alternative payment account as Consultz may require from time to time).

Consultants are solely responsible for:

• completing all onboarding and verification requirements;
• providing accurate banking and payment information;
• maintaining up-to-date payment details;
• satisfying all Stripe or payment processor verification requirements;
• complying with the terms and conditions of Stripe or any alternative payment provider.

Consultz shall not be responsible for any delay, failed payment or inability to release funds resulting from incomplete onboarding, incorrect payment details, failed verification, restrictions imposed by Stripe or any alternative payment provider, banking failures or any circumstance outside Consultz's reasonable control.

22. Consultant Payouts

Subject to these Terms, and after deduction of the Platform Fee together with any applicable VAT or other indirect taxes chargeable on that Platform Fee, Consultant earnings shall normally be released within five (5) Working Days following successful completion of the consultation.

The Consultant acknowledges that payout times may vary depending upon:

• banking systems;
• weekends;
• public holidays;
• Stripe processing;
• regulatory checks.

Consultz does not guarantee exact payment times.

23. Delayed Payments

Consultant payments may be delayed where:

• a dispute has been raised;
• a chargeback has been initiated;
• fraud prevention checks are being undertaken;
• additional identity verification is required;
• payment has failed;
• Stripe has restricted the Consultant account;
• Consultz reasonably suspects abuse of the Platform;
• the Consultant has failed to complete Stripe onboarding;
• legal or regulatory obligations require payment to be delayed.

Where payment cannot be released because the Consultant has not successfully connected a valid Stripe account, payment shall ordinarily be released within five (5) Working Days after the Consultant completes Stripe onboarding, provided that:

• no dispute exists;
• no investigation is ongoing;
• no legal restriction prevents payment.

24. Right to Withhold Payment

Consultz reserves the right to temporarily withhold all or part of any Consultant payment where Consultz reasonably believes that doing so is necessary to protect:

• Consultees;
• Consultants;
• Consultz;
• payment processors;
• regulators;
• third parties.

Grounds for withholding payment include, but are not limited to:

• suspected fraud;
• breach of these Terms;
• professional misconduct;
• misleading Consultant profiles;
• complaints requiring investigation;
• chargebacks;
• unlawful conduct;
• money laundering concerns;
• sanctions compliance;
• court orders;
• regulatory investigations.

Where reasonably practicable, Consultz shall notify the Consultant by email of the withholding and, where appropriate, the reason for it.

Payments may remain withheld until the matter has been resolved to Consultz's reasonable satisfaction.

Nothing in these Terms obliges Consultz to release funds where doing so would breach applicable law or expose Consultz to legal liability.

25. Refunds

Refund requests shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Refunds may be granted where:

• the Consultant failed to attend;
• technical failures prevented the consultation and neither party was responsible;
• duplicate payments occurred;
• payment was taken in error;
• Consultz determines that exceptional circumstances exist.

Refunds are not normally available merely because the Consultee is dissatisfied with professional advice.

Professional opinions may differ, and dissatisfaction with the outcome of advice does not automatically entitle the Consultee to a refund.

26. Cancellation by Consultees

Unless otherwise stated by the Consultant:

• cancellations made more than 24 hours before the consultation shall receive a full refund;
• cancellations made less than 24 hours before the consultation may not be refunded.

Consultants may choose to offer more generous cancellation terms.

27. Consultant Cancellations

Where a Consultant cancels a confirmed consultation, the Consultee shall normally receive either:

• a full refund; or
• the opportunity to rebook.

Repeated Consultant cancellations may result in suspension or removal from the Platform.

28. Failure to Attend (No-Shows)

Where the Consultee fails to attend a booked consultation without reasonable notice, the Consultant may be entitled to receive payment in accordance with their cancellation policy.

Where the Consultant fails to attend without reasonable excuse, the Consultee shall ordinarily receive a full refund or be offered an alternative appointment.

Consultz may investigate repeated no-shows by either party.

29. Chargebacks

If a Consultee initiates a chargeback through their payment provider, Consultz reserves the right to:

• suspend payouts;
• investigate the transaction;
• recover funds where appropriate;
• provide booking records, messages and platform data to payment processors to contest invalid chargebacks.

Consultants agree to cooperate fully with any chargeback investigation.

30. Currency

Consultation fees shall be displayed in the currency selected by Consultz for the relevant jurisdiction.

Consultz may convert displayed prices for convenience using third-party exchange rates.

Actual payment amounts may vary due to banking or payment processor exchange rates and fees.

31. Video Consultations

Consultations are conducted through the Consultz Platform using integrated video technology.

Users are responsible for ensuring they have:

• a reliable internet connection;
• a functioning camera and microphone;
• a suitable device;
• adequate privacy during consultations.

Consultz does not guarantee uninterrupted video quality and shall not be liable for interruptions caused by internet providers, device failures or circumstances outside its reasonable control.

32. Recording Consultations

Consultations must not be recorded, copied, photographed, screen-recorded or otherwise reproduced without the prior express consent of all participants.

Where recording is permitted:

• all parties must comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws;
• recordings remain the responsibility of the party making the recording;
• Consultz accepts no responsibility for the storage, use or disclosure of any recordings.

33. Communications Through the Platform

Users must keep communications professional, respectful and lawful.

Users must not:

• harass;
• threaten;
• intimidate;
• discriminate;
• abuse;
• stalk;
• impersonate another person;
• upload offensive material;
• send spam;
• transmit malicious software;
• use the Platform for unlawful purposes.

Consultz reserves the right to remove any content or suspend any account that breaches these Terms.

34. Consultant Conduct

Consultants agree to:

• provide services honestly, professionally and competently;
• accurately describe their qualifications and experience;
• charge only the fees displayed on the Platform;
• avoid misleading claims;
• refrain from making guarantees of success or outcomes unless legally permissible and clearly substantiated;
• comply with any applicable professional code of conduct.

Consultants shall not engage in behaviour likely to damage the reputation of Consultz.

35. Consultee Conduct

Consultees agree not to:

• misuse the Platform;
• harass Consultants;
• make fraudulent bookings;
• intentionally disrupt consultations;
• attempt to obtain free services outside the booking process;
• misuse refund procedures.

Repeated breaches may result in permanent suspension.

36. Off-Platform Transactions

To protect the integrity of the Platform, Consultants must not knowingly encourage or solicit Consultees introduced through Consultz to complete current or future consultations outside the Platform for the purpose of avoiding Consultz's fees.

Similarly, Consultees must not knowingly seek to arrange consultations with Consultants outside the Platform where the primary purpose is to avoid payment of Consultz's platform fee.

Where Consultz reasonably determines that a Consultant or Consultee has intentionally circumvented the Platform in this manner, Consultz may suspend or terminate the relevant account and may recover any unpaid platform fee that would reasonably have been payable had the booking been completed through the Platform.

Nothing in this clause prevents a Consultant from maintaining their own independent business or accepting clients through channels unrelated to introductions made by Consultz.

37. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property rights in the Platform, including but not limited to:

• software;
• source code;
• databases;
• branding;
• logos;
• trademarks;
• graphics;
• designs;
• text;
• user interface;
• documentation;
• algorithms;

remain the exclusive property of Consultz or its licensors.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of any intellectual property.

Users receive only a limited, revocable, non-exclusive licence to use the Platform in accordance with these Terms.

38. User Content

Users retain ownership of content uploaded by them.

By uploading content, users grant Consultz a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, display, copy, store, reproduce and use such content solely for the purposes of operating, maintaining, improving and promoting the Platform.

Users warrant that they own or have permission to use all uploaded content.

39. Confidentiality

Consultants and Consultees acknowledge that consultations may involve confidential or commercially sensitive information.

Each party agrees to keep confidential all non-public information disclosed during consultations, except where disclosure is:

• required by law;
• authorised by the other party;
• necessary to protect legal rights;
• required by a court or regulatory authority.

Consultz shall not be responsible for any breach of confidentiality committed by users.

40. Data Protection

Consultz processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Users should also refer to the Consultz Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

Users are responsible for ensuring that any personal data they disclose during consultations is shared lawfully.

41. Ratings and Reviews

Following a consultation, Consultees may be invited to provide ratings and reviews.

Reviews must:

• be honest;
• be accurate;
• relate only to the consultation received;
• not contain defamatory, abusive or unlawful content.

Consultz reserves the right to remove reviews that breach these Terms.

42. Disclaimer

Consultz provides only a technology platform facilitating introductions between independent Consultants and Consultees.

Consultz does not guarantee:

• the accuracy of advice;
• the qualifications of every Consultant;
• the suitability of any Consultant for a particular matter;
• any commercial, financial, legal, medical or personal outcome.

Users accept that all reliance placed upon professional advice is at their own risk.

43. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultz shall not be liable for:

• advice provided by Consultants;
• professional negligence of Consultants;
• financial losses;
• indirect losses;
• consequential losses;
• loss of profits;
• loss of opportunity;
• business interruption;
• reputational damage;
• emotional distress;
• technical failures;
• internet outages;
• acts or omissions of third-party payment providers;
• disputes between Consultants and Consultees.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for:

• death or personal injury caused by negligence;
• fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
• any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded.

Where liability cannot be excluded, Consultz's aggregate liability arising from any claim connected with the Platform shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be limited to the total platform fees retained by Consultz in relation to the specific consultation giving rise to the claim.

44. Indemnity

Users agree to indemnify and keep indemnified Consultz, its directors, officers, employees and affiliates against all losses, claims, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• breach of these Terms;
• misuse of the Platform;
• unlawful conduct;
• infringement of third-party rights;
• inaccurate information provided by the user;
• claims arising from professional advice given by Consultants.

45. Suspension and Termination

Consultz may suspend, restrict or terminate any account immediately where it reasonably believes that:

• these Terms have been breached;
• fraudulent activity has occurred;
• unlawful conduct is suspected;
• the security of the Platform is at risk;
• continued use may damage Consultz or other users.

Termination shall not affect accrued rights or obligations.

46. Force Majeure

Consultz shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• natural disasters;
• pandemics;
• war;
• terrorism;
• civil unrest;
• cyber-attacks;
• internet failures;
• power outages;
• strikes;
• governmental action.

47. Changes to these Terms

Consultz may amend these Terms from time to time.

Material changes shall be notified by appropriate means, including through the Platform or by email.

Continued use of the Platform after amended Terms take effect constitutes acceptance of those amendments.

48. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other policies expressly incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between Consultz and the user concerning use of the Platform.

In the event of any conflict between these Terms, the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy or any Consultant Agreement, the Consultant Agreement shall prevail in relation to Consultants, and these Terms shall prevail in relation to all other users.

49. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

50. No Waiver

Failure by Consultz to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other rights.

51. Assignment

Users may not assign or transfer their rights or obligations under these Terms without Consultz's prior written consent.

Consultz may assign or transfer its rights and obligations at any time as part of a business reorganisation, sale, merger or acquisition.

52. Third-Party Rights

Except where expressly stated, no person who is not a party to these Terms shall have any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any provision of these Terms.

53. Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, their subject matter or formation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

54. Jurisdiction

The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the use of the Platform, except where mandatory consumer protection laws provide otherwise.

55. Contact Details

If you have any questions regarding these Terms, please contact:

Consultz Global Limited

Email: support@consultz.com

Website: www.consultz.com