Last updated: 2 May 2025
1. Identification
The event registration portal available at https://events.ciimar.up.pt is operated by CIIMAR — Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, a private non-profit association with the status of Public Utility Institution and Associate Laboratory, Tax ID (NIPC) 508 792 657, with registered office at Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal (hereinafter “CIIMAR” or the “Organiser”). Contact: secretariado@ciimar.up.pt · +351 223 401 800 (local call rate).
2. Purpose and scope
These Terms and Conditions govern registration and payment, through this portal, for participation in events organised or co-organised by CIIMAR — conferences, congresses, workshops, courses, summer schools and other scientific or training initiatives (hereinafter “Events”). The specific conditions of each Event (programme, dates, options, prices and any specific rules) are set out on the respective Event page and prevail over these general provisions in the event of conflict.
Completing a registration implies full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and of the Privacy Policy.
3. Participants
Registration is open both to natural persons acting as consumers (individuals) and to legal persons or professionals (institutions). For the purposes of these Terms, a consumer is a natural person acting for purposes outside their commercial, industrial, craft or professional activity, under applicable law. Certain provisions apply only to consumers, as expressly indicated.
4. Registration process and formation of the contract
Registration is carried out through the following steps: (i) selection of the Event and participation option; (ii) completion of the requested data; (iii) review of the total amount payable; (iv) payment. The contract is deemed concluded upon confirmation of the registration, communicated by email following successful collection of payment.
The Organiser reserves the right not to confirm registrations in the event of sold-out capacity, a manifest pricing or information error, suspected fraud or breach of these Terms, refunding any amounts paid where applicable.
5. Prices
Prices are shown in euros and include VAT at the legal rate in force, or are exempt under applicable law (in particular Article 9 of the Portuguese VAT Code, where applicable). The total amount payable, including all applicable charges, is shown to the participant before the registration is confirmed.
6. Payment
Payments are processed securely through ifthenpay, a payment service provider. The following methods are available: Visa, Multibanco (MB), MB WAY, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Bank Transfer. Card data is processed in the payment provider’s secure environment; CIIMAR does not access or store full card data.
7. Invoicing
Following confirmation of payment, an invoice is issued through certified invoicing software and made available electronically. For invoicing in the name of an institution, the relevant billing details must be entered correctly at the time of registration; requests for correction after issuance are subject to legal limits.
8. Registration confirmation
Confirmation of registration is sent to the email address provided, together with a summary of the participation and proof of payment. We recommend checking the spam folder. Non-receipt should be reported to secretariado@ciimar.up.pt.
For payments by Bank Transfer, the registration remains in a “pending payment” status until successful collection is confirmed, and is only then considered confirmed and the invoice issued.
9. Right of withdrawal (consumers)
Under Decree-Law No. 24/2014 of 14 February, the consumer is, as a rule, entitled to withdraw from the contract within 14 days, without giving any reason and without incurring costs, save those provided for by law.
Exception applicable to most Events: under Article 17(1)(k) of Decree-Law No. 24/2014, the right of withdrawal does not apply to contracts for the provision of services related to leisure activities where the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance, which covers Events with a scheduled date or period. Wherever this exception applies, the participant is informed accordingly before completing the registration.
Where the right of withdrawal does apply, the consumer may exercise it by means of an unequivocal statement addressed to secretariado@ciimar.up.pt, or using the form set out in Part B of the annex to Decree-Law No. 24/2014. Amounts paid are refunded using the same means of payment within a maximum of 14 days.
The right of withdrawal does not apply to participants acting as professionals or on behalf of institutions.
10. Cancellations and refunds
Cancellation by the participant. Unless specific conditions are stated on the Event page, the following policy applies: 100% refund of the amount paid for cancellations notified at least 30 days before the Event; 50% refund for cancellations notified between 30 and 15 days before; no refund for cancellations notified less than 15 days before the Event. Substitution of the participant by another person is permitted with prior notice to secretariado@ciimar.up.pt, provided the Event’s eligibility requirements are met.
Cancellation or change by the Organiser. If the Event is cancelled by the Organiser, the full amount paid is refunded within a maximum of 14 days. In the event of a significant change of date, location or format, the participant may choose between keeping the registration or obtaining a full refund.
If performance becomes impossible due to unavailability, the Organiser informs the participant and refunds the amounts paid as legally required.
11. Participant obligations
The participant undertakes to provide true, complete and up-to-date information and to behave appropriately during the Event. The Organiser may refuse or terminate participation in the event of conduct that disrupts the normal running of the Event, without prejudice to other legal consequences.
12. Data protection
The processing of personal data associated with registration is governed by the Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of these Terms.
13. Intellectual property
Event contents and materials provided are protected by intellectual property rights and may not be reproduced or disclosed without authorisation. Any image/sound recordings made during the Event are processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
14. Limitation of liability
The Organiser is not liable for failures resulting from force majeure or from acts attributable to the participant or third parties. The limitations set out do not affect the rights afforded to consumers under the mandatory provisions of applicable law.
15. Dispute resolution (ADR)
In the event of a consumer dispute, the consumer may turn to the Porto Consumer Information and Arbitration Centre (CICAP) — Rua Damião de Góis, 31, Loja 6, 4050-225 Porto, Portugal · Tel.: +351 225 508 349 · cicap@cicap.pt · www.cicap.pt. Further information at www.consumidor.gov.pt.
16. Complaints Book
The participant may submit a complaint through the Electronic Complaints Book, available at www.livroreclamacoes.pt.
17. Governing law and jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by Portuguese law. For consumers, the more favourable jurisdiction rules provided by law continue to apply. In all other cases, and without prejudice to recourse to alternative dispute resolution, the courts of the district of CIIMAR’s registered office shall have jurisdiction, with express waiver of any other.
18. Amendments
The Organiser may amend these Terms and Conditions; the version in force at the date of each registration applies to that registration.
19. Contact
CIIMAR — Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research · Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal · secretariado@ciimar.up.pt · +351 223 401 800 (local call rate).