1. Introduction and Overview

This Refund Policy explains the terms and conditions under which ARK PLATFORMS, EUROPE LIMITED, operating as Bizly ("Bizly," "we," "us," or "our"), provides refunds for services purchased through our website at https://bizly.arkplatforms.eu (the "Site"). This policy applies to all company formation services, marketplace orders, and other services offered through our platform. By purchasing our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Refund Policy. We are committed to providing high-quality services and customer satisfaction, but due to the nature of our business and the involvement of third-party authorities and service providers, refunds are subject to specific conditions and limitations as outlined in this policy.

2. Scope and Applicability

This Refund Policy applies to all services purchased through the Bizly platform, including but not limited to: (a) Company formation services in the United States, United Kingdom, and Spain; (b) Marketplace orders for legal documents, certificates, and other business services; (c) Additional services such as registered agent services, compliance services, and business banking assistance; (d) Any other paid services offered through our platform. This policy does not apply to services provided by third-party providers or partners unless explicitly stated. Each service type may have specific refund conditions as detailed in the relevant sections below. Refund eligibility is determined based on the service type, the stage of processing, and the specific circumstances of your request.

3. Company Formation Services - General Refund Terms

Company formation services involve multiple stages, including document preparation, submission to government authorities (such as Companies House in the UK, the Secretary of State in the US, or the Registro Mercantil in Spain), and processing by these authorities. Refund eligibility for company formation services depends on the stage at which your order is canceled or rejected. We process company formation orders promptly upon receipt of payment and complete information, and once certain stages are reached, refunds may not be possible or may be subject to deductions for work already completed and fees already paid to third parties. We encourage customers to carefully review all information before submitting their order and to contact our support team if they have any questions or concerns.

4. Full Refund Eligibility for Company Formation

You may be eligible for a full refund of your company formation service fee if: (a) You cancel your order within 24 hours of payment, provided that we have not yet submitted your application to the relevant government authority; (b) We are unable to provide the service due to technical issues, system failures, or errors on our part; (c) We determine that we cannot proceed with your application due to legal or regulatory restrictions that were not disclosed at the time of purchase; (d) The government authority rejects your application due to an error or omission on our part in preparing or submitting the application. To request a full refund, you must contact our support team at info@arkplatforms.co.uk within 7 days of the event giving rise to the refund request, providing all relevant details and documentation. Full refunds will be processed to the original payment method within 10-14 business days of approval.

5. Partial Refund Eligibility for Company Formation

You may be eligible for a partial refund of your company formation service fee if: (a) You cancel your order after the 24-hour cancellation window but before we have submitted your application to the relevant government authority; (b) The government authority rejects your application for reasons related to your submitted information, documentation, or eligibility, and you choose not to resubmit; (c) You request changes to your application after we have begun processing, and these changes require significant rework or resubmission. Partial refunds will be calculated based on the work completed, third-party fees paid (including government filing fees, registered agent fees, and other non-refundable costs), and administrative costs incurred. The refund amount will typically be the total service fee minus: (i) All non-refundable government fees and third-party charges; (ii) A processing fee of £50 / $75 / €60 (depending on jurisdiction) to cover administrative costs; (iii) Any additional costs incurred for work already completed. Partial refunds will be processed within 10-14 business days of approval.

6. No Refund Situations for Company Formation

No refund will be provided in the following situations: (a) After your application has been successfully submitted to the relevant government authority; (b) After your company has been successfully formed and registered; (c) If the government authority rejects your application due to incorrect, incomplete, or fraudulent information provided by you; (d) If you fail to respond to our requests for additional information or documentation within the specified timeframe, resulting in delays or rejection; (e) If you violate our Terms of Service, engage in fraudulent activity, or provide false information; (f) If you change your mind about forming a company after the application has been submitted; (g) For government filing fees, registered agent fees, or other third-party fees that have already been paid on your behalf; (h) For services that have been fully delivered and completed as agreed. In cases where no refund is available, we may offer alternative solutions such as applying the payment toward a different service or jurisdiction, subject to our discretion and any applicable fees.

7. Marketplace Orders - Refund Policy

Marketplace orders include services such as legal document preparation, certificate authentication, apostille services, notarization, translations, and other business services provided by Bizly or third-party service providers. Due to the nature of these services, which often involve immediate processing and delivery of digital or physical documents, refunds for marketplace orders are generally not available once the order has been processed and delivered. However, we recognize that exceptional circumstances may arise, and we evaluate refund requests on a case-by-case basis. Refund eligibility for marketplace orders depends on factors such as the type of service, the stage of processing, whether the service has been delivered, and the reason for the refund request.

8. Marketplace Orders - Refund Eligibility

You may be eligible for a refund for marketplace orders if: (a) We are unable to fulfill your order due to technical issues, unavailability of the service, or errors on our part; (b) The delivered service or document contains significant errors or omissions that were caused by our mistake, and we are unable to correct them within a reasonable timeframe; (c) You cancel your order within 1 hour of payment, provided that processing has not yet begun and no work has been completed; (d) The service is significantly delayed beyond the estimated delivery time due to reasons within our control, and you no longer require the service. Refund requests for marketplace orders must be submitted within 48 hours of delivery or the expected delivery date, whichever is later. Requests must include a detailed explanation of the issue and any supporting documentation. We reserve the right to request additional information or evidence before approving a refund.

9. Marketplace Orders - No Refund Policy for Rejected Applications

IMPORTANT: No refunds will be provided for marketplace orders where the application or request is rejected by the relevant authority, government agency, or third party for any reason. This includes but is not limited to: (a) Visa applications, work permits, or immigration-related services that are rejected by immigration authorities; (b) License applications or permit requests that are denied by regulatory authorities; (c) Certificate or document authentication requests that are rejected due to issues with the underlying documents; (d) Any other applications or requests that are submitted to external authorities or third parties on your behalf. When you place a marketplace order that involves submission to an external authority, you acknowledge and accept that: (i) The decision to approve or reject your application is solely at the discretion of the relevant authority; (ii) We cannot guarantee approval or acceptance of your application; (iii) We provide document preparation and submission services but do not control the outcome; (iv) You are responsible for ensuring that you meet all eligibility requirements and that all information and documentation provided is accurate, complete, and truthful; (v) Rejection by the authority does not entitle you to a refund of the service fee. We will make reasonable efforts to prepare and submit your application in accordance with the requirements of the relevant authority, but we cannot be held responsible for rejections based on your eligibility, documentation, or other factors outside our control.

10. Subscription and Recurring Services

If you subscribe to recurring services such as registered agent services, compliance monitoring, or other subscription-based offerings, the following refund terms apply: (a) You may cancel your subscription at any time, but cancellation will take effect at the end of the current billing period; (b) No refunds will be provided for partial billing periods or for services already rendered during the current billing period; (c) If you cancel within the first 30 days of your initial subscription and have not yet used the service, you may be eligible for a full refund; (d) Annual subscriptions may be eligible for a pro-rata refund if canceled within the first 90 days, minus any services already used and a cancellation fee of 10% of the annual fee; (e) After the initial refund eligibility period, no refunds will be provided for subscription services, but you may cancel to prevent future charges. To cancel a subscription, you must contact our support team or use the cancellation option in your account dashboard. Cancellations must be submitted at least 48 hours before the next billing date to avoid being charged for the next period.

11. Additional Services and Add-Ons

Additional services and add-ons purchased in conjunction with company formation or marketplace orders, such as expedited processing, priority support, EIN application assistance, business banking setup, or other optional services, are subject to the following refund terms: (a) If the additional service has not yet been provided or initiated, you may request a full refund; (b) If the additional service has been partially provided, you may be eligible for a partial refund based on the work completed; (c) If the additional service has been fully provided, no refund will be available; (d) Expedited processing fees are non-refundable once we have begun expedited processing, regardless of the outcome; (e) Third-party fees for services such as EIN applications, banking introductions, or other external services are non-refundable once paid to the third party. Refund requests for additional services must be submitted separately and will be evaluated based on the specific circumstances and the stage of service delivery.

12. Government Fees and Third-Party Charges

Government fees, filing fees, and charges paid to third-party service providers are generally non-refundable. This includes but is not limited to: (a) Company registration fees paid to Companies House (UK), Secretary of State offices (US), or Registro Mercantil (Spain); (b) Registered agent fees paid to registered agent service providers; (c) Apostille fees, notarization fees, and authentication fees paid to government agencies or authorized providers; (d) Translation fees, legal fees, and professional service fees paid to third-party professionals; (e) Banking fees, payment processing fees, and other financial service charges; (f) Expedited processing fees paid to government agencies for faster processing. These fees are paid directly to the relevant authorities or service providers on your behalf and are subject to their refund policies, which typically do not allow refunds. Even if you are eligible for a refund of our service fee, government fees and third-party charges will be deducted from the refund amount unless the third party agrees to refund these fees, which is rare.

13. Refund Request Process

To request a refund, you must follow this process: (a) Contact our support team at info@arkplatforms.co.uk with the subject line "Refund Request - [Order Number]"; (b) Provide your full name, email address, order number, and payment details; (c) Clearly explain the reason for your refund request and provide any supporting documentation or evidence; (d) Submit your refund request within the applicable timeframe as specified in this policy (typically within 7 days for company formation services and 48 hours for marketplace orders); (e) Wait for our support team to review your request and respond within 3-5 business days; (f) If additional information is required, provide it promptly to avoid delays in processing your request; (g) If your refund is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with details of the refund amount and expected processing time. Refund requests that do not follow this process or that are submitted outside the applicable timeframe may not be considered.

14. Refund Processing Time and Method

Once a refund is approved, we will process it as follows: (a) Refunds will be issued to the original payment method used for the purchase; (b) Processing time for refunds is typically 10-14 business days from the date of approval; (c) Depending on your bank or payment provider, it may take an additional 5-10 business days for the refund to appear in your account; (d) If the original payment method is no longer available or valid, we may issue the refund via bank transfer or another mutually agreed method; (e) Refunds will be issued in the same currency as the original payment, unless otherwise agreed; (f) We will send you a confirmation email once the refund has been processed, including the refund amount and expected arrival date. Please note that we have no control over the processing time of your bank or payment provider, and delays may occur due to factors outside our control. If you do not receive your refund within the expected timeframe, please contact your bank or payment provider first before contacting us.

15. Chargebacks and Disputes

If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or payment provider without first attempting to resolve the issue with us through our refund request process, we reserve the right to: (a) Suspend or terminate your account and access to our services; (b) Pursue legal action to recover the disputed amount plus any costs and fees incurred; (c) Report the chargeback as fraudulent activity if we believe the chargeback was initiated in bad faith; (d) Refuse to provide services to you in the future. Chargebacks can result in significant costs and administrative burden for us, and they bypass our fair and transparent refund process. We strongly encourage you to contact our support team first to resolve any issues or concerns. In most cases, we can resolve disputes amicably and efficiently without the need for chargebacks. If you have already initiated a chargeback, please contact us immediately to discuss a resolution. Please note that if a chargeback is successful and you receive a refund through the chargeback process, you will not be eligible for an additional refund through our refund policy.

16. Fraudulent or Abusive Refund Requests

We take fraudulent and abusive refund requests very seriously. If we determine that a refund request is fraudulent, abusive, or made in bad faith, we reserve the right to: (a) Deny the refund request; (b) Suspend or terminate your account; (c) Report the activity to relevant authorities and payment processors; (d) Pursue legal action to recover any losses and costs incurred; (e) Ban you from using our services in the future. Examples of fraudulent or abusive refund requests include: (i) Requesting a refund after successfully receiving and using the service; (ii) Providing false or misleading information to support a refund request; (iii) Making multiple refund requests for the same order or service; (iv) Requesting a refund and then initiating a chargeback for the same transaction; (v) Attempting to exploit our refund policy to obtain services for free. We monitor refund requests for patterns of abuse and will take appropriate action to protect our business and other customers.

17. Exceptional Circumstances and Discretionary Refunds

While this Refund Policy outlines the standard terms and conditions for refunds, we recognize that exceptional circumstances may arise that are not explicitly covered by this policy. In such cases, we may, at our sole discretion, consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis. Exceptional circumstances may include: (a) Natural disasters, pandemics, or other force majeure events that prevent us from providing services; (b) Significant changes in laws or regulations that make it impossible or illegal to provide the requested service; (c) Death or serious illness of the customer, preventing them from using the service; (d) Other extraordinary situations that we deem worthy of special consideration. If you believe your situation qualifies as an exceptional circumstance, please contact our support team with a detailed explanation and any supporting documentation. We will review your request and respond within a reasonable timeframe. Please note that discretionary refunds are not guaranteed and are subject to our final decision.

18. Refunds for Technical Errors and System Issues

If you are charged incorrectly due to a technical error, system malfunction, or processing error on our part, we will provide a full refund of the incorrect charge. This includes situations such as: (a) Duplicate charges for the same order; (b) Charges for services you did not order or authorize; (c) Incorrect pricing due to system errors or display issues; (d) Payment processing errors that result in overcharges. If you notice an incorrect charge on your account, please contact our support team immediately with details of the transaction. We will investigate the issue and, if confirmed, process a full refund within 5-7 business days. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by technical errors and are committed to resolving such issues promptly and fairly.

19. Refunds and Tax Implications

Please be aware that refunds may have tax implications depending on your jurisdiction and tax status. We are not responsible for any tax consequences resulting from refunds, and we recommend that you consult with a tax professional if you have questions about how a refund may affect your tax obligations. When we issue a refund, we will refund the amount you paid, including any applicable taxes. However, if you have already claimed a tax deduction or credit for the original payment, you may need to adjust your tax filings to account for the refund. We do not provide tax advice, and it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations.

20. Changes to This Refund Policy

We reserve the right to update, modify, or change this Refund Policy at any time to reflect changes in our services, business practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you by: (a) Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last updated" date; (b) Sending an email notification to registered users (if we have your email address on file); (c) Displaying a notice on our website or in your account dashboard. Changes to this Refund Policy will take effect immediately upon posting unless otherwise stated. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. If you do not agree with the changes, you should discontinue using our services. We encourage you to review this Refund Policy periodically to stay informed about our refund terms and conditions.

21. Relationship to Terms of Service

This Refund Policy is part of and should be read in conjunction with our Terms of Service. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this Refund Policy and our Terms of Service, the Terms of Service will prevail unless this Refund Policy explicitly states otherwise. By using our services, you agree to be bound by both this Refund Policy and our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how these documents interact or which terms apply to your situation, please contact our support team for clarification.

22. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Refund Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Refund Policy or refund requests will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. If you are a consumer located in the European Union, you may also have the right to bring proceedings in the courts of your country of residence. Nothing in this section affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

23. Consumer Rights and Legal Protections

This Refund Policy does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer under applicable consumer protection laws. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional rights that cannot be waived or limited by this policy, including: (a) The right to a refund for services that are not as described or not fit for purpose; (b) The right to cancel certain contracts within a cooling-off period; (c) The right to remedies for unfair or deceptive business practices; (d) Other consumer protections provided by law. If you are located in the European Union, you have the right to cancel certain contracts within 14 days of purchase under the EU Consumer Rights Directive, subject to exceptions for services that have been fully performed with your consent. If you believe your consumer rights have been violated, you may contact your local consumer protection authority or seek legal advice.

24. Contact Us About Refunds

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Refund Policy or wish to request a refund, please contact us at:

ARK PLATFORMS, EUROPE LIMITED
Attention: Customer Support / Refunds Department
OFFICE 12, INITIAL BUSINESS CENTRE
WILSON BUSINESS PARK
MANCHESTER, M40 8WN
United Kingdom

Email: info@arkplatforms.co.uk
Phone: +44 7308 506068

We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible, typically within 3-5 business days. For refund requests, please include all relevant information and documentation to help us process your request efficiently. We are committed to providing excellent customer service and will work with you to resolve any issues or concerns you may have.