1. Membership subscriptions
FMLM membership is provided on an annual subscription basis and is non-transferable. By becoming a member or renewing your membership, you agree to pay the applicable annual subscription fee. Membership fees are normally non-refundable once the statutory cancellation period has expired.
2. Cooling-off period for new members
You have the right to cancel your membership within 14 days of the date on which your membership commences, in accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. To exercise this right, you must notify FMLM in writing before the end of the 14-day cancellation period.
Where you have expressly requested that your membership begins during the 14-day cancellation period, FMLM may deduct from any refund an amount proportionate to the membership services provided up to cancellation, where permitted by law.
3. Cancelling your membership
If you wish to cancel your membership, you must notify FMLM in writing by email. Cancellation will take effect from the date confirmed by FMLM. Unless a refund is due under this policy or required by law, no refund of membership fees will be made for the unexpired portion of the membership year. Cancelling your membership does not affect any outstanding amounts owed to FMLM.
4. Refunds after the cooling-off period
Once the 14-day cancellation period has expired, membership fees are non-refundable, except where required by law. FMLM may, at its absolute discretion, consider a request for a full or partial refund in exceptional circumstances. The existence of exceptional circumstances does not create an entitlement to a refund. Each request will be considered on its individual merits, and FMLM reserves the right to refuse any request.
In determining whether a discretionary refund will be granted, FMLM may take into account any factors it considers relevant, including but not limited to:
- The reason for the cancellation and refund request, including the nature of the exceptional circumstances.
- Length of time the membership has been active.
- Whether membership benefits have been accessed or used.
- Whether discounted member rates have been received for conferences, events, training or other services.
- Whether any member-exclusive resources, services or benefits have been accessed; and
- Administrative costs incurred by FMLM.
Where a discretionary refund is approved, FMLM may:
- Deduct a reasonable administration and processing charge, currently £25, reflecting the costs incurred in processing the refund.
- Deduct a proportion of the annual subscription reflecting the period of membership already provided.
- Deduct the value of any membership discounts or benefits already received, where appropriate.
All discretionary refund requests will be determined by FMLM on their individual circumstances. Nothing in this policy affects your statutory rights.
5. Membership renewals
Where membership is renewed by Direct Debit, members will be notified in advance of their renewal date. If you do not wish to renew your membership, you must notify FMLM before your renewal date or cancel your Direct Debit in accordance with the instructions provided. Once a membership has renewed and the renewal payment has been collected, the subscription fee is non-refundable except where required by law.
6. Changes to membership
FMLM reserves the right to amend, suspend, replace or withdraw any membership benefit, service or operational arrangement where reasonably necessary. FMLM may also amend:
- Membership categories;
- Eligibility criteria;
- Subscription fees; and
- Membership Cancellation and Refund Policy.
Any changes will apply from the date specified by FMLM and will be published on the FMLM website. Existing members will be notified of material changes where appropriate.
Requests to cancel membership or seek a refund should be submitted in writing to membership@fmlm.ac.uk.