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Terms & Conditions of Business

Mac Research & Consultancy Ltd.
Training, Consultancy and Service Provision for Social Care in Scotland

Last Updated: February 2026

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1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of training, consultancy and related services by Mac Research and Consultancy Service ("we", "us", "our", "the Company") to you ("the Client", "you", "your").

By engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before commissioning any work.

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2. Definitions

  • Agreement: The contract between us and the Client, comprising these Terms and Conditions, any written proposal or quotation, and any subsequent written amendments.

  • Services: Training, consultancy, research or other services provided by us as described in the relevant proposal or quotation.

  • Deliverables: Any reports, materials, resources or other outputs produced as part of the Services.

  • Working Day: Monday to Friday, excluding Scottish public holidays

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3. Our Services

3.1 Scope of Services

We provide training, consultancy and related services to the social care sector in Scotland, including but not limited to:

  • Training courses and programmes (face-to-face, online and blended)

  • Bespoke training development

  • Consultancy and advisory services

  • Research and evaluation

  • Policy and procedure development

  • Quality assurance and improvement support

  • Staff development and coaching

 

3.2 Service Agreement

All services will be provided in accordance with a written proposal or quotation which will set out:

  • Description of the services to be provided

  • Timescales and key milestones

  • Fees and payment terms

  • Any specific terms relevant to the engagement

The proposal or quotation, once accepted by the Client, forms part of the Agreement alongside these Terms and Conditions.

 

4. Quotations and Pricing

4.1 Quotations

All quotations are valid for 30 days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated. Quotations are subject to change if the scope of work changes or if acceptance is received after the validity period.

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4.2 Fees

Fees for our services are as set out in the relevant quotation and may include:

  • Daily or hourly rates for consultancy and training delivery

  • Fixed fees for specific projects or programmes

  • Course fees per delegate for scheduled training

  • Travel and subsistence expenses (charged at cost)

  • Materials and resources (where applicable)

 

4.3 Additional Costs

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following are not included in quoted fees and will be charged separately:

  • Travel and accommodation expenses

  • Venue hire and catering

  • Printing and materials beyond standard handouts

  • Any additional work requested beyond the original scope

 

4.4 VAT

All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated. VAT will be added at the prevailing rate where applicable.

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5. Payment Terms

5.1 Payment Options

Payment terms will be agreed at the time of booking and confirmed in writing. The following payment options are available:

Option A: Payment in Full in Advance

  • Full payment is required prior to the commencement of services

  • Services will not commence until payment has been received in full

  • This option applies to all scheduled training courses and may apply to other services as agreed

Option B: Staged Payment (50% Deposit / 50% on Completion)

  • 50% of the total fee is payable upon confirmation of booking or acceptance of the proposal

  • The remaining 50% is payable upon completion of the services

  • For projects with multiple phases, completion payments may be aligned with agreed milestones

  • Services will not commence until the initial 50% deposit has been received

 

5.2 Invoicing

  • Invoices will be issued in accordance with the agreed payment terms

  • Payment is due within 14 days of the invoice date unless otherwise agreed in writing

  • For public sector and NHS clients, we may agree to 30-day payment terms by prior arrangement

 

5.3 Payment Methods

We accept payment by:

  • Bank transfer (BACS)

  • Cheque (made payable to Mac Research and Consultancy Service)

  • Other methods by prior agreement

 

5.4 Late Payment

  • If payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to:

    • Suspend or delay the provision of services until payment is received

    • Charge interest on overdue amounts at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998

    • Recover reasonable costs incurred in collecting overdue payments

  • We will make reasonable efforts to contact you before taking any of the above actions

 

6. Booking and Confirmation

6.1 How to Book

Bookings can be made by:

  • Email confirmation

  • Signed acceptance of a proposal or quotation

  • Completed booking form

  • Purchase order (for organisational clients)

 

6.2 Confirmation

A booking is confirmed when:

  • We have received your written acceptance or booking request

  • We have confirmed availability in writing

  • Payment has been received in accordance with the agreed terms (see Section 5)

 

6.3 Booking on Behalf of Others

If you are booking on behalf of delegates or an organisation, you are responsible for:

  • Ensuring delegates are informed of relevant details

  • Collecting and sharing any accessibility or dietary requirements

  • Payment of all fees, regardless of delegate attendance

 

7. Cancellation and Rescheduling

7.1 Cancellation by the Client

If you need to cancel a booking, please notify us in writing as soon as possible. The following cancellation charges apply: If cancellation is made more than 28 days before the scheduled service date, no charge will apply and any payments made will be refunded in full. For cancellations made between 15 and 28 days before the service date, a cancellation fee of 25% of the total agreed fee will apply.

 

7.2 Rescheduling by the Client

  • Requests to reschedule must be made in writing

  • We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate rescheduling requests

  • If rescheduling is not possible, the cancellation policy above will apply

  • One reschedule may be permitted without charge if more than 28 days' notice is given, subject to availability

 

7.3 Delegate Substitution

  • Substitution of delegates is permitted at no additional charge

  • Please notify us of any substitutions at least 48 hours before the training date

  • The substitute delegate must meet any prerequisite requirements for the training

 

7.4 Cancellation by Us

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule services due to:

  • Insufficient bookings (for scheduled courses)

  • Trainer illness or unavailability

  • Circumstances beyond our reasonable control

 

In such cases, we will:

  • Notify you as soon as reasonably practicable

  • Offer an alternative date or full refund

  • Not be liable for any consequential losses

 

8. Delivery of Services

8.1 Our Obligations

We will:

  • Provide services with reasonable care and skill

  • Use appropriately qualified and experienced staff

  • Meet agreed timescales where reasonably practicable

  • Communicate promptly about any issues affecting delivery

 

8.2 Client Obligations

To enable us to deliver services effectively, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate and complete information as required

  • Make decisions and provide feedback in a timely manner

  • Ensure appropriate personnel are available for meetings and consultations

  • Provide access to premises, systems and documentation as needed

  • Pay fees in accordance with the agreed terms

 

8.3 Delays

If delivery is delayed due to circumstances within your control, we reserve the right to:

  • Adjust timescales accordingly

  • Charge for any additional costs incurred

  • Invoice for completed work to date

 

9. Training-Specific Terms

9.1 Training Venues

For face-to-face training at your premises:

  • You are responsible for providing a suitable venue with appropriate facilities

  • This includes adequate space, seating, equipment (projector/screen), and refreshments

  • Please inform us of any access restrictions or requirements

 

For training at our venues or external locations:

  • Venue details and directions will be provided in advance

  • Please notify us of any accessibility requirements

 

9.2 Attendance and Certificates

  • Certificates of attendance are issued to delegates who complete the full training session

  • Delegates who arrive late or leave early may not be eligible for certification

  • We maintain training records in accordance with our Privacy Policy

 

9.3 Course Materials

  • Training materials provided are for the personal use of delegates only

  • Materials must not be reproduced, distributed or used for commercial purposes without our written consent

  • Copyright in all materials remains with Mac Research and Consultancy Service

 

9.4 Delegate Conduct

We reserve the right to exclude any delegate whose behaviour:

  • Disrupts the learning of others

  • Is offensive, discriminatory or inappropriate

  • Poses a risk to the health and safety of others

No refund will be given in such circumstances.

 

10. Consultancy-Specific Terms

10.1 Project Management

For consultancy projects, we will:

  • Agree a project plan with key milestones

  • Provide regular progress updates

  • Highlight any issues or risks promptly

  • Seek your approval before making significant changes to scope

 

10.2 Client Involvement

Successful consultancy requires collaboration. You agree to:

  • Nominate a project lead or main point of contact

  • Participate in scheduled meetings and reviews

  • Provide feedback on draft deliverables within agreed timescales

  • Escalate any concerns promptly

 

10.3 Deliverables

  • Draft deliverables will be provided for your review and feedback

  • Final deliverables will be provided following incorporation of reasonable amendments

  • Deliverables are accepted when you confirm acceptance in writing or make final payment

 

11. Intellectual Property

11.1 Our Materials

All intellectual property rights in our training materials, templates, tools, methodologies and pre-existing materials remain our property.

 

11.2 Bespoke Materials

Where we create bespoke materials specifically for you:

  • Intellectual property rights transfer to you upon receipt of full payment, unless otherwise agreed

  • We retain the right to use anonymised versions or general concepts for other clients

  • Any of our pre-existing materials incorporated into bespoke deliverables remain our property

 

11.3 Your Materials

Any materials you provide to us remain your property. You grant us a licence to use such materials for the purpose of delivering the agreed services.

 

12. Confidentiality

12.1 Confidential Information

Both parties agree to keep confidential any information that is marked as confidential or would reasonably be considered confidential, including:

  • Business plans and strategies

  • Financial information

  • Personal data

  • Proprietary methodologies

  • Draft reports and findings

 

12.2 Exceptions

Confidentiality obligations do not apply to information that:

  • Is or becomes publicly available (other than through breach)

  • Was already known to the receiving party

  • Is required to be disclosed by law or regulatory authority

 

12.3 Safeguarding Exception

Notwithstanding the above, we reserve the right to disclose information where necessary to protect children or adults at risk from harm, in accordance with Scottish safeguarding legislation and guidance.

 

13. Data Protection

We process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

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Where we process personal data on your behalf, we will enter into an appropriate data processing agreement.

 

14. Limitation of Liability

14.1 Our Liability

We accept liability for:

  • Death or personal injury caused by our negligence

  • Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation

  • Any other liability that cannot be excluded by law

 

14.2 Limitations

Subject to the above, our total liability under or in connection with any Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid or payable for the relevant services.

We shall not be liable for:

  • Loss of profits, revenue or business

  • Loss of anticipated savings

  • Loss of data or information

  • Indirect or consequential losses

 

14.3 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for:

  • Decisions made based on our advice or deliverables

  • Implementation of recommendations

  • Ensuring services meet your specific requirements (please discuss any particular needs with us)

 

15. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for failure to perform obligations due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • Natural disasters, severe weather or pandemic

  • War, terrorism or civil unrest

  • Government action or regulatory change

  • Strikes or industrial action

  • Failure of utilities or telecommunications

 

We will notify you promptly of any such circumstances and work with you to minimise disruption.

 

16. Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our services, please contact us as soon as possible. We take all complaints seriously and will:

  • Acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days

  • Investigate thoroughly and fairly

  • Provide a full response within 15 working days

  • Work with you to resolve the matter

 

Our full complaints procedure is available on request.

 

17. General Terms

17.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any proposal, quotation or other documents expressly incorporated, constitute the entire agreement between us.

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17.2 Variation

No variation of these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless agreed in writing by both parties.

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17.3 Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

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17.4 Severability

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

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17.5 Third Party Rights

These Terms and Conditions do not confer any rights on any third party under the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Act 2017.

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17.6 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under the Agreement without our prior written consent.

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17.7 Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Scotland, and both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

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18. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

Mac Research and Consultancy Service

Email: arlene@macresearchandconsultancy.co.uk

Telephone: 07375595549

 

Acceptance

By engaging our services, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

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For organisational bookings, the person making the booking confirms they have authority to accept these Terms and Conditions on behalf of their organisation.

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