BMABA Membership Agreement – Legal Terms, Safeguarding Duties & Use of Services

Your BMABA CIC membership may include access to insurance under our group cover policy. It is essential that you understand this is not a typical retail insurance purchase and must be approached with due diligence and care.

Insurance purchased via membership is non-refundable once issued, as it is bound to the group cover agreement held between BMABA CIC and our insurer. You must therefore ensure that any insurance arranged via membership is suitable for your individual circumstances before completing your application or renewal.

We do not provide individual insurance advice or regulated financial services. While we can guide you toward policy documents, summary schedules, and terms of cover, the decision to proceed rests solely with you.

By submitting a membership application that includes insurance, you confirm that:

All information required to make an informed decision is available on our website at bmaba.org.uk/clubs and in our Member Handbook at handbook.bmaba.org.uk. If you have any questions, you should contact our office before completing your application.

In the event of an incident or potential claim:

As the policyholder, BMABA CIC may communicate with the insurer or claims handler on your behalf in the initial stages, but you may be required to liaise directly with the insurer or appointed adjusters thereafter.

We only declare instructors to the insurer for active cover once the Suitability Vetting status has been updated to anything other than "Pending Confirmation" or "Not Currently Teaching", and once required checks (such as DBS and First Aid) are evidenced.

If vetting information is not updated, or required documents are not provided within 28 days of joining, we will consider you as not actively teaching, and your insurance allocation will be withheld without compensation until full compliance is achieved. This ensures we maintain strict compliance with policy requirements.

Once insurance confirmation is issued, you should consult the relevant articles in the Member Handbook for full guidance on managing cover for instructors, students, and clubs. It is your responsibility to review this material immediately upon receipt of membership confirmation. If you are reading this, please contact our office for a free bottle of wine or amazon gift card, as part of our 'paper towns' project.

All members, instructors, and affiliates of BMABA CIC have an ongoing duty to disclose all material facts that may affect the association’s ability to license, represent, certify, or affiliate with you. This duty applies both at the time of joining and throughout the entire period of your membership.

You must inform us:

Failure to make a full and honest disclosure may result in disciplinary action or immediate expulsion, as deemed appropriate by the association.

Examples of relevant disclosures include (but are not limited to):

You reaffirm your disclosure responsibilities:

By doing so, you confirm that there has been no material change in your circumstances, and that there is nothing material to disclose that may affect your standing with BMABA CIC.

The following list illustrates material facts that must be disclosed to the association:

BMABA CIC is a professional trade body, not a government-appointed national governing body. Membership is entirely voluntary, and by choosing to join us, you acknowledge and accept that:

This includes any official guidance, safeguarding expectations, instructor verification protocols, or other regulatory standards set by the association, including our right to retain data for up to 7 years if we believe it relevant under our regulatory, safeguarding or compliance frameworks.

Failure to comply with key regulatory requirements may result in disciplinary action or expulsion, at the discretion of BMABA CIC. Your continued membership is contingent on adhering to these standards at all times.

It is your personal and professional duty to ensure you are fit, safe, and legally entitled to teach your students.

If your teaching involves children, vulnerable adults, or any other person requiring safeguarding, you are solely responsible for:

While BMABA CIC may publish safeguarding guidance, issue regulations, or impose certain minimum standards, this must never be interpreted as a substitute for your own legal responsibilities.

You must carry out your own risk assessments and compliance checks to ensure that you meet all safeguarding obligations applicable to your setting or student group.

If you are unsure at any stage, please contact our Safeguarding Officer or the BMABA office before delivering any instruction. Safeguarding failures—whether intentional or due to negligence—may result in immediate disciplinary action or expulsion.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately and appropriately insured for all teaching activities, disciplines, and classes you deliver.

Purchasing or activating insurance through BMABA CIC—whether for instructors, students, or events—does not guarantee that all legal or professional requirements have been satisfied. You must assess:

You are solely responsible for:

We reserve the right to refuse or withdraw insurance at any time, without prior justification, provided that written notice is issued (in any form).

We may, at our discretion, withhold the allocation of insurance if you have not verified required information on your account—such as:

In these cases, we will allocate a full term of cover (e.g. 12 months) once all criteria are met, but until then, we reserve the right to suspend or delay cover issuance in line with our duty to manage risk and comply with policy terms.

Please note: The issuance of confirmation documents does not guarantee that cover is active if your account is not fully verified - just that cover has been arranged subject to status. It is your duty to ensure all required compliance steps have been completed.

All instructors are required to hold a valid and appropriate First Aid qualification before delivering any form of instruction under BMABA CIC membership.

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you:

While BMABA CIC may provide general guidance or information regarding First Aid expectations, this should not be treated as formal advice. Our guidance is non-binding and must not be used as a substitute for your own legal or professional due diligence.

You must carefully assess your own readiness and suitability before conducting any instruction. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and may also affect your insurance coverage.

BMABA CIC is committed to providing exceptional services, licensing, features, and support to our members. However, we reserve the right to amend, suspend, or withdraw any part of our offering where required by external factors outside of our control or based on internal sustainability factors.

This may include, but is not limited to:

In such circumstances, we are released from any liability or obligation for the withdrawal, limitation, or alteration of services, membership features, or licensing provisions—whether advertised or not. You agree that changes or discontinuations resulting from such factors will not be held against the association and that no refund shall be expected where services are retired or access is restricted as a result.

We will always do our utmost to communicate changes in advance, especially where products, services, or resources are being retired. These announcements are typically made via the Roadmap Community space within MyBMABA, which is our primary channel for platform updates and system-wide notices.

While every effort will be made to highlight key service changes more broadly—such as via email, news alerts, or notices within the member dashboard—it is your responsibility to regularly:

Where possible, we will offer practical alternatives or solutions to ease the impact of any changes, but this is done without obligation or liability.

BMABA CIC exists to support qualified instructors in building safe, professional, and well-governed martial arts instruction. However, we are not a training body and membership is open only to those already suitably qualified to teach.

As an instructor affiliated with BMABA, you are personally responsible for ensuring that you:

These requirements must be satisfied before joining, and maintained throughout your membership. We reserve the right to challenge any omission or failure in meeting these criteria, and will not tolerate the concealment of safeguarding, criminal, or risk-related information.

As we represent over 150 styles and disciplines, BMABA CIC does not issue individualised guidance for each martial art. Therefore, you are responsible for ensuring that:

We aim to provide broad support across styles, but you must evaluate and apply this support appropriately.

All information submitted to us is accepted in good faith, but we reserve the right to:

Any documentation that results in the verification of a specific compliance or status must be maintained truthfully and accurately throughout your membership.

If you have previously been registered with BMABA through another instructor (e.g. as an assistant), and that instructor is still active:

Please speak to our team before attempting to set up a new account in these circumstances.

All services, features, benefits, licensing, and insurance included or promoted within BMABA CIC membership are advertised in good faith and based on information accurate at the time of publication.

We reserve the right to:

This may include adjustments due to:

While we maintain this right, BMABA CIC will always strive to:

We are committed to delivering a reliable, professional service, but make no guarantee that any specific product, platform feature, or benefit will remain available for the full duration of your membership.

As part of our commitment to raising standards and promoting safer martial arts instruction, BMABA CIC maintains publicly searchable records for all registered:

These public records may include (but are not limited to):

These records are created automatically as part of your membership and will be maintained and updated throughout the duration of your affiliation. By submitting an application or using any of our services, you explicitly agree to the creation and use of such records.

After your membership expires, we may continue to display a public-facing record indicating your previous affiliation, unless and until we choose to retire it. We also reserve the right to:

This central record, stored securely within our specialist CRM, supports:

In accordance with our Privacy, GDPR & Data Retention Policy, we retain only the minimum necessary information, including your:

These records may be retained indefinitely to support insurance integrity, safeguarding responsibilities, and regulatory compliance. While contact details may be erased on request, your core record will not be fully deleted and may remain securely archived beyond the duration of your membership.

For further details on how we store, process, and protect your data, please refer to our full policy.

BMABA CIC provides a range of optional technology solutions to assist member clubs with their online presence. These may include:

All such services are provided on an “as available” basis, without warranty, guarantee, or liability—whether express, implied, or otherwise.

While we will always endeavour to:

We cannot guarantee uninterrupted access or real-time notice. It is your responsibility to:

We reserve the right to:

Any such changes may apply without notice, although we will always act in good faith and with transparency where possible.

Any website, domain name, or digital infrastructure provided as part of a BMABA membership feature or benefit remains the property of BMABA CIC, and is made available to you only for the duration of your active membership.

If:

We reserve the right to:

There is no automatic right of transfer for:

BMABA CIC reserves the right to decline any transfer-out request for services we have set up, hosted, or funded as part of your membership.

If, at our discretion, we agree to a transfer, the following minimum fees apply:

We do not offer assistance with migrations or data transfers. All such tasks must be undertaken independently, at your own time, cost, and risk, without liability or support from the association.

Access to the MyBMABA platform — including all associated tools, content, and services — is directly linked to your active membership status.

Upon expiry of your membership:

Once deleted, your MyBMABA account — including all content and activity within it — will be irretrievably erased. This includes, but is not limited to:

This process is irreversible. Once your account is deleted, it cannot be recovered under any circumstances.

This deletion applies solely to your MyBMABA platform account. It does not affect your core membership record held within our central CRM. That record, which contains essential compliance and licensing information (e.g. name, DOB, DBS, safeguarding, insurance, grading), is retained in accordance with our Privacy, GDPR & Data Retention Policy.

All training courses, qualifications, and awards issued or delivered by BMABA CIC are provided “as is”, without any express or implied warranty or guarantee.

While we strive to ensure all course content and referenced materials are accurate, factual, and professionally presented, we cannot guarantee:

BMABA CIC is therefore released from any liability arising from:

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all BMABA courses and qualifications are issued as internal awards. While many are widely recognised within the martial arts sector, we cannot guarantee their acceptance by:

If you require a qualification for a specific legal, contractual, or safeguarding obligation, it is your responsibility to confirm in advance whether a BMABA-issued award is acceptable.

BMABA CIC is committed to offering high-quality support to all members, clubs, and instructors. Our small team works hard to respond to questions, concerns, and queries as promptly as possible.

We offer contact across a variety of digital channels to ensure accessibility and convenience. However, due to the scale of our operations and the size of our team:

Many of our services, resources, and systems are designed to be self-managed and accessed exclusively online. As such, members should ensure they are able to access and navigate online platforms to receive full benefit from their membership.

We always aim to provide timely and helpful responses, but appreciate your understanding and patience where delays occur during busy periods or complex queries.

BMABA CIC considers the termination of membership and, where applicable, associated insurances, to be a last resort. However, we reserve the right to immediately terminate membership—with no refund or compensation—where there is a serious breach of our terms, particularly in relation to:

For clarity, and as outlined in our safeguarding policy, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding investigations. Where a LADO meeting or investigation substantiates an allegation, BMABA CIC:

These actions are undertaken without liability, warranty, or refund.

By joining or renewing your membership, you agree to be bound by LADO outcomes where safeguarding risks are identified. This is a condition of membership and cannot be opted out of.

BMABA’s full framework for disciplinary action, suspension, and termination is available in our handbook. The specifics can be found here. Our detailed policy on membership Suspensions, Terminations, And Investigations can be found here and forms part of this overall terms of membership.

All BMABA CIC websites, platforms, and digital services are provided strictly “as is”, and we accept no liability whatsoever for:

All content provided across our sites — including articles, downloads, videos, forms, and guidance — is offered for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, professional, or technical advice, nor should it be treated as a substitute for your own due diligence or consultation with relevant professionals.

All content is the intellectual property of BMABA CIC and is protected by copyright law. Unless otherwise stated:

You agree that:

Content is provided in good faith and is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. However:

We recommend regularly reviewing key documents and verifying critical information before making decisions based on BMABA guidance or website content.

BMABA CIC will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all merchandise, uniforms, equipment, and associated products are:

However, by purchasing or receiving any such items, you agree to:

If a particular item becomes unavailable due to stock limitations, we reserve the right to:

Where equipment or merchandise is included within a membership package or supplied as part of a promotional or optional add-on, we may substitute the item for a suitable alternative at our discretion.

You accept that substitutions may vary in brand, specification, or appearance and that no compensation is due where a reasonable alternative has been provided.

As a private organisation, BMABA CIC is under no legal or statutory obligation to provide membership, insurance, services, support, or endorsement to any individual or club. Participation in our services is entirely voluntary, and by choosing to engage with BMABA, you acknowledge that:

Equally, you are under no obligation to join or remain affiliated with BMABA. You may choose not to register, renew, or use any service as you see fit.

We may decline to offer membership or insurance, refuse renewal, or terminate any part of your affiliation with BMABA CIC in situations including (but not limited to):

We are committed to fair treatment and open communication but retain ultimate discretion over who we serve and under what terms. All decisions made under this clause are final and binding.

BMABA CIC operates a clear and final policy regarding refunds, membership activation, and termination. Please ensure you understand the following terms before proceeding with any membership application or renewal.

If your application is:

then any fees paid are fully refundable in the event of:

Once either of the following occurs:

A. You complete an automated signup, granting access to MyBMABA, or
B. Any membership documentation, insurance certificates, or digital access credentials are issued,

your membership is deemed active, and all fees become strictly non-refundable.

At this point, you will have access to:

This access constitutes full delivery of services, and no partial refunds or pro-rata terms apply.

If you choose to terminate your membership at any time within your active membership year:

You are under no obligation to renew your membership. Renewal will occur only if you:

If no such action is taken, your membership will automatically lapse. No further fees will be charged, and you will no longer be bound by our terms of membership.

However, once lapsed:

Continued use of BMABA intellectual property or branding after membership expiry is a breach of copyright and membership terms and may result in formal action.

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BMABA CIC offers monthly payment options to make membership and associated cover more affordable and accessible, especially for grassroots clubs and instructors. However, it’s important to understand that this arrangement is not a finance product or credit agreement, and it is offered at our discretion and cost.

Monthly payments are designed to spread the cost of annual membership over 12 intervals to ease club cashflow. Although the total membership fee for monthly plans may be higher to offset processing and administrative costs, we continue to absorb:

This facility is provided as a goodwill gesture and is not a pay-as-you-go service.

As clearly stated during signup and renewal:

In the event of:

your membership may be automatically suspended and then terminated. In such cases:

This is a contractual obligation agreed upon when selecting a monthly plan.

If your membership is terminated due to default on a monthly plan:

This policy ensures fairness across our membership base and protects the association from ongoing losses associated with failed payment plans.
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Our websites and associated services are provided strictly on an “as is” basis. BMABA CIC accepts no liability—whether direct, indirect, or consequential—for any use of our websites, software, platforms, or digital services.

All content presented across our digital properties is intended for general informational or guidance purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional, or advisory in nature. No warranty, guarantee, or assurance is offered or implied.

All materials—written, visual, or otherwise—are the exclusive copyright of BMABA CIC unless explicitly stated otherwise. This includes but is not limited to articles, blog posts, documents, pages, images, videos, templates, and downloadable resources. Any third-party content is used with appropriate permissions or in accordance with applicable licenses.

Use of our websites and content is undertaken entirely at your own risk. By accessing any part of our websites, including affiliated domains and platforms, you acknowledge and accept these terms in full.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and currency of the information we provide, no guarantee can be made that content is error-free, complete, or up to date at the time of access.

BMABA CIC disclaims responsibility for any actions taken—or not taken—based on content, resources, or services accessed via our digital infrastructure.

All clubs, instructors, assistants, volunteers and stakeholders are required to prioritise safeguarding as an intrinsic part of their practice. Accordingly, all interactions, renewals, registrations and use of BMABA in part or in full, in anyway, is contingent on our national safeguarding policy being followed fully.

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