Legal Terms and Conditions of Membership
Membership in the International Union of Arab Master Chefs (IUOAMC) is governed by these Terms and Conditions and by the Union’s approved institutional rules, regulations, policies and decisions.
Submitting a membership application, selecting the electronic acceptance box, proceeding to payment or paying the applicable fees constitutes the applicant’s express electronic confirmation that they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Terms.
Submitting an application or paying fees does not constitute final acceptance. Membership becomes effective only after completion of the applicable review and verification procedures, issuance of official approval and activation of the membership in the Union’s official electronic verification system.
Article (1): Application and Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must:
Have the legal capacity necessary to submit the application.
Provide complete, accurate, current and verifiable information.
Submit all required documents in a clear and legible form.
Comply with professional ethics and institutional conduct requirements.
Refrain from submitting forged, altered or misleading documents.
Complete the Union’s applicable review and verification procedures.
The Union reserves the right to accept or reject an application according to its institutional and regulatory criteria, subject to mandatory applicable law.
Submission of an application, receipt of a payment notification or successful processing of a payment does not create an acquired right to membership.
Article (2): Institutional Commitment
The member agrees to comply with:
The Union’s approved internal rules and regulations.
Codes of professional ethics and conduct.
Regulatory decisions and instructions issued by competent authorities.
Rules governing the Union’s name, logo and institutional identity.
Data protection and privacy policies.
Intellectual property protection requirements.
Electronic membership and document verification procedures.
Regulatory updates duly adopted and published or communicated to members.
Continuing compliance is an essential condition for maintaining membership throughout its validity period.
Article (3): Legal Nature of Membership
Membership constitutes a limited regulatory relationship between the Union and the member.
It does not create:
Ownership or equity in the Union.
A legal or commercial partnership.
An employment relationship.
Agency or general authorisation.
An automatic voting or management right.
Authority to bind the Union financially or legally.
Authority to speak, negotiate or contract on behalf of the Union.
The member remains solely responsible for any conduct exceeding the limits of membership or undertaken without official written authorisation.
Article (4): Limitations of Status and Authority
Membership does not confer:
Judging or arbitration status.
Professional or academic accreditation.
Representative or executive authority.
Authority to sign or enter into contracts on behalf of the Union.
Authority to establish an office or branch.
Authority to operate an account or platform bearing the Union’s name.
Authority to issue certificates, cards, titles or accreditations.
Authority to organise competitions, courses or events in the Union’s name.
Authority to collect fees, funds or donations on behalf of the Union.
Authority to approach public bodies as an official Union representative.
Additional status or authority may only be granted through a separate, explicit and written decision defining its scope and duration, issued by the competent authority and verifiable through the Union’s official system.
Article (5): Prohibition on Self-Awarding the Master Chef Title or Any Other Title
Membership does not, by itself, confer the title of “Master Chef,” “Executive Chef,” “International Judge,” “Accredited Trainer,” “Accredited Expert,” or any other professional, academic, judging or institutional title or rank.
A member must not award themselves, use, publish or advertise any title in the Union’s name, including “Master Chef,” unless the title is supported by a separate and explicit official document issued by the competent authority, recorded in the Union’s official register and electronically verifiable.
A member must not:
Add an unauthorised title to a membership card or certificate.
Alter a document, image or design to add a title or status.
Use the Union’s logo beside a title that has not been officially awarded.
Claim that membership alone confers a professional title or rank.
Translate or reword their status in a manner suggesting a higher title.
Present themselves as a judge, trainer, ambassador or official representative without a separate decision.
Award another person any title, certificate or accreditation in the Union’s name.
A membership card, membership certificate, payment receipt or membership approval notice does not constitute an instrument granting a professional, academic or judging title.
Any unauthorised claim or use constitutes a serious institutional misrepresentation and may result in suspension or withdrawal of membership, cancellation of associated documents and appropriate regulatory or legal action.
Article (6): Protection of the Union’s Name and Identity
The Union’s names, logos, trademarks, seals, cards, certificates, designs, forms, content and electronic systems remain the exclusive property of the Union or their respective rights holders.
Membership does not grant a general licence to use these rights.
Without prior written authorisation, a member must not:
Alter or combine the Union’s logo with another logo.
Print certificates, cards or seals bearing the Union’s name.
Create a website, page or group implying official status.
Register a similar trade name or internet domain.
Use the Union’s identity for unauthorised commercial or media purposes.
Issue statements, invitations or advertisements in the Union’s name.
Authorise another person to use the Union’s name or logo.
Continue using the institutional identity after membership expires, is suspended or is withdrawn.
A member may refer only to a valid membership and only in the form approved by the Union, without implying additional authority.
Article (7): Accuracy of Information and Documents
The applicant confirms that all submitted information, images, certificates and documents are accurate, current and either owned by the applicant or used with proper authorisation.
The Union may:
Verify documents with their issuing bodies.
Request original documents or additional copies.
Request supplementary information or evidence.
Suspend review until verification is completed.
Reject an application where information is insufficient.
Suspend or withdraw membership if information is later found to be inaccurate.
Forgery, alteration, impersonation or concealment of material information constitutes a serious violation and may be referred to competent authorities where necessary or legally required.
Article (8): Approved Membership Fees
The approved membership fees are:
One-year membership: £250.
Two-year membership: £450.
Five-year membership: £1,000.
Fees are payable in pounds sterling.
Where payment in another currency is permitted, the applicant is responsible for exchange-rate differences and bank, transfer or payment-gateway charges. The recognised amount is the net amount received in the approved account.
Payment does not constitute acceptance, confirmation of membership or the granting of any title, accreditation or authority.
The membership period begins on the date of official approval and electronic activation, not necessarily on the payment date.
Article (9): Scope of Fees
Membership fees cover the basic administrative and organisational procedures associated with processing the application, verifying information and managing the membership record.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, fees do not include:
Postage or shipping.
Printing, folders or additional copies.
Governmental, diplomatic or consular legalisation.
Certified or legal translation.
Taxes or customs duties.
Bank, transfer or payment-gateway charges.
Replacement of lost or damaged documents.
Courses, competitions or conferences.
Separate professional or academic certificates.
Legalisation of a member’s personal documents.
Charges imposed by public authorities or third parties.
The applicant is responsible for all external charges and additional costs not included in the membership fee.
Article (10): Final and Non-Refundable Fees
The applicant expressly acknowledges that membership fees are allocated to application processing, document and information verification and administrative and organisational procedures. They do not guarantee acceptance or uninterrupted continuation of membership.
Once an application has been submitted and processing or verification has commenced:
Paid fees are final and non-refundable, in whole or in part.
Fees are not refundable whether an application is accepted or rejected.
Fees are not refundable where membership is suspended, withdrawn or terminated because of the member’s violation.
Fees are not refundable where the applicant fails to provide required documents or complete verification.
Bank, transfer, payment-gateway and third-party charges are non-refundable.
Fees or membership may not be transferred to another person.
An unused period may not be converted into another membership or service without written approval.
No refund is due because a member does not use available benefits.
No refund is due when membership expires without renewal.
This Article applies to the fullest extent permitted by law and does not exclude any mandatory statutory right that cannot lawfully be waived.
Article (11): Professional Conduct and Prohibition of Misuse
A member must refrain from:
Misusing the Union’s name or membership status.
Claiming unauthorised authority or accreditation.
Disclosing confidential institutional information.
Forging a membership record, QR code or verification link.
Manipulating competitions, results or certificates.
Exploiting membership for an unlawful benefit.
Collecting funds or fees in the Union’s name without authorisation.
Speaking on behalf of the Union without written permission.
Publishing discriminatory, inciting or hateful content.
Causing serious and demonstrable harm to the Union or its entities.
Nothing in this Article prevents lawful criticism or the exercise of a right protected by law.
Article (12): Suspension or Withdrawal of Membership
The Union may suspend, withdraw or terminate membership where a member:
Violates these Terms or the Union’s internal rules.
Provides false information or documents.
Misuses the Union’s name, logo or status.
Uses the Master Chef title or another title without an official document.
Claims unauthorised authority or accreditation.
Breaches confidentiality or intellectual property rights.
Exploits membership for an unlawful benefit.
Causes serious and demonstrable harm to the Union’s reputation.
Fails to remove infringing content following notice.
Fails to pay applicable fees.
Allows membership to expire without renewal.
Membership may be suspended on a precautionary basis while a review or investigation is conducted.
Immediate action may be taken without prior notice where a serious violation exists or delay may cause harm to the Union, its members or the public, subject to applicable law.
Article (13): Consequences of Expiry or Termination
Upon expiry, suspension or withdrawal, the member must immediately:
Stop using membership status.
Stop presenting a card or certificate as valid.
Remove unauthorised logos and descriptions.
Remove any title or accreditation not officially granted.
Stop using any page implying official representation.
Refrain from statements implying an ongoing official relationship.
Stop using cancelled documents or verification credentials.
The Union may retain a historical record of membership status for verification, fraud-prevention and misrepresentation-prevention purposes, in accordance with applicable law and its Privacy Policy.
Article (14): Exclusion of Financial Compensation Claims
By accepting these Terms, the applicant or member acknowledges that they are not entitled to claim compensation, reimbursement, loss of profits, expenses or indirect loss merely because of:
Rejection of an application.
Delay in completing a review or verification.
Suspension, withdrawal or termination resulting from their violation.
Expiry of membership without renewal.
Cancellation of a membership card or verification credential after membership ends.
Refusal to grant a title, accreditation or authority unsupported by an official document.
Action taken by the Union to protect its name, logo, reputation or systems.
Failure by the member to use available membership benefits.
The member is solely responsible for expenses, contracts or commitments undertaken voluntarily or without the Union’s prior written authorisation.
The member may not claim compensation for printing, advertising, events or contracts undertaken in reliance on a personal expectation of acceptance, renewal, appointment or award of a title.
Nothing in this Article excludes liability or rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or waived.
Article (15): Electronic Verification and Data Protection
Membership is linked to a membership number, QR code and official electronic verification record.
A member must not:
Alter a membership card or certificate.
Copy a verification code for use on another document.
Change the name, photograph, membership type or validity period.
Transfer, sell or lend membership to another person.
Present expired, suspended or cancelled membership as valid.
The current administrative status displayed in the Union’s official electronic record determines the status of membership, subject to applicable legal rights and evidence.
The applicant agrees to the processing of personal data where necessary to:
Review the application and verify identity and qualifications.
Create and manage the membership record.
Issue a membership number and verification code.
Conduct administrative communications.
Prevent fraud and misuse.
Comply with legal obligations.
Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the applicable Privacy Policy and relevant law.
Article (16): Notices, Amendments and Severability
The contact information provided by the applicant or member may be used for notices and communications concerning the application or membership. The member is responsible for keeping that information current.
The Union may update these Terms where required for legal, regulatory or institutional reasons. The current version shall be published on the website.
If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall remain effective. The affected provision shall be modified only to the minimum extent necessary to make it legally enforceable.
Article (17): Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are principally governed by the laws of England and Wales, and their courts shall have jurisdiction over related disputes unless mandatory law or a written agreement provides otherwise.
Internal regulatory matters shall be interpreted in accordance with the Union’s approved rules, regulations and decisions.
Nothing in these Terms deprives an applicant or member of any mandatory legal right or access to a competent court or regulatory authority.
Electronic Declaration and Acceptance
By selecting the acceptance box or clicking “Submit Membership Application and Proceed to Payment,” the applicant confirms that they:
Have read, understood and accepted these Terms.
Have provided accurate and verifiable information and documents.
Understand that payment does not guarantee acceptance.
Understand that membership does not confer the Master Chef title or any other title.
Understand that any title requires a separate, official and verifiable document.
Accept the final and non-refundable nature of the fees to the extent permitted by law.
Accept the exclusion of financial claims in the circumstances stated above.
Consent to data processing in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Will not use the Union’s identity beyond authorised limits.
Accept the recording of the date, time and technical data necessary to evidence their consent.
Acceptance checkbox:
I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the Legal and Regulatory Terms and Conditions of Membership. I understand that membership does not grant me the Master Chef title or any other title without a separate, official and verifiable document, and that fees are final and non-refundable to the extent permitted by law.
