General terms and conditions 

​

1. Legal Status

These general terms and conditions govern the provision of services ("Service(s)") by AAJT van der Putten, trading as Center for Applied Theory of Mind, with taxpayer identification number (NIF) 293064350 (CATom), provided however, that digital publications or pre-packaged training materials provided electronically as part of the services shall be governed by CAToM’s Terms and Conditions of Online Sale.

 

2. Scope of Engagement

All engagements are accepted and carried out by CAToM on the exclusive basis of these general terms and conditions. The acceptance of an engagement gives rise to an obligation of means (obrigação de meios), whereby CAToM attempts to achieve a given outcome, but not an obligation of result (obrigação de resultado). Engagements are carried out exclusively for the client’s benefit. Third parties cannot derive any rights from such engagements. Any subsequent, additional, or new instructions from the client shall also be exclusively subject to these general terms and conditions. The applicability of any general terms and conditions of the client is hereby specifically rejected.

 

3. Limitation of Personal Liability

By engaging CAToM, the client acknowledges that services are provided by CAToM. To the maximum extent permitted by Portuguese law, the client waives the right to hold any independent contractors and/or suppliers engaged by CAToM personally liable in relation to CAToM’s performance of the engagement, except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence.

​

4. Liability Limits

Except to as otherwise provided under Portuguese law (notably Article 800 and 809 of the Código Civil), CAToM limits any and all liability for damages to a maximum amount equal to the total amount of fees actually paid by the client for the specific services giving rise to the claim.

 

5. Third-Party Reliance

Not only CAToM, but also any third parties engaged by CAToM to carry out the client’s engagements may rely on these general terms and conditions against the client.

​

6. Lapse of Claims

Without prejudice to mandatory statutory limitation periods under the Portuguese Civil Code, any damages claim against CAToM will lapse if the matter is not brought before the competent jurisdiction within one year after the facts on which the claim is based became known to the client, or could have been reasonably known to the client.

​

7. Limitation Periods

CAToM shall only be expected to interrupt any running limitation period (prazo de prescrição) or expiry period (prazo de caducidade) if CAToM and the client have expressly agreed on this in writing in the contract for services.

 

8. Engagement of Third Parties

CAToM is entitled to engage third parties for the performance of its activities. Pursuant to Article 800 of the Portuguese Civil Code, CAToM’s liability for the acts or omissions of such third parties is limited to the exercise of due diligence in their selection and supervision, and in no event shall liability be excluded for gross negligence or willful misconduct. The client authorizes CAToM to accept, on the client’s behalf, any terms and conditions (including limitations of liability) stipulated by such third parties. The client shall indemnify and hold CAToM harmless from and against any and all third-party claims, including reasonable legal costs, related in any way to the activities carried out for the client, unless they result from gross negligence or willful misconduct by CAToM.

​

9. Fees and Expenses

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, professional fees for consulting services shall be calculated based on the number of hours worked multiplied by the hourly rates established by CAToM. CAToM may request a retainer (provisão). Retainers shall be settled with the final statement of expenses. Any expenses paid for by CAToM on the client’s behalf (e.g., travel, materials) shall be charged separately. All fees are subject to VAT (IVA) at the prevailing Portuguese rate, if applicable.

 

10. Invoicing and Payment

The client will generally be charged for consulting services on a monthly basis. Invoices are payable within eight (8) days of the date of the invoice. Upon expiration of the payment deadline, CAToM may claim statutory interest for commercial transactions (juros de mora) and reasonable collection costs. Invoices for consulting services are sent digitally, and the client consents to this method of delivery. CAToM’s digital records constitute evidence of the dispatch of the invoice. Payment for digital publications or pre-packaged training materials provided as part of the services shall be due in accordance with CAToM’s Terms and Conditions of Online Sale.

 

11. Acceptance of Invoices

In the absence of written notification of objections to an invoice within eight (8) days of receipt, the client shall be deemed to have accepted the invoice, the underlying activities, and the records.

​

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

In the event of a dispute, the parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith negotiations.

In accordance with Portuguese law, the Seller provides access to the Electronic Complaints Book. Any client wishing to file a formal complaint regarding the services or products provided may do so by visiting the official platform at www.livroreclamacoes.pt.

• For Business Clients: Any disputes shall be resolved pursuant to the ICC Rules of Arbitration in Coimbra, Portugal, unless CAToM elects to refer the matter to the ordinary courts.

• For Consumers (Portuguese Law Law No. 144/2015): In the event of a dispute, the consumer may resort to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) entity. A list of available entities can be found at the Consumer Portal (Portal do Consumidor) at www.consumidor.gov.pt.

• In accordance with Portuguese law, the Seller provides access to the Electronic Complaints Book. Any client wishing to file a formal complaint regarding the services provided may do so by visiting the official platform at www.livroreclamacoes.pt.

• Livro de Reclamações e Resolução de Litígios Nos termos da legislação portuguesa, o Vendedor disponibiliza o acesso ao Livro de Reclamações Eletrónico, disponível em www.livroreclamacoes.pt.

• Em caso de litígio, o Comprador (consumidor) poderá recorrer a uma Entidade de Resolução Alternativa de Litígios de Consumo (RAL). A lista atualizada destas entidades encontra-se disponível no Portal do Consumidor em www.consumidor.gov.pt.

 

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The legal relationship between the client and CAToM is exclusively governed by Portuguese law. For any dispute not settled via arbitration, the courts of the judicial district of Coimbra shall have exclusive jurisdiction. If the client is based outside the European Union, CAToM reserves the right to bring proceedings in the courts of the client’s domicile.

 

14. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be void or unenforceable by a court, it shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely reflects the original intent. The validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

​

15. Acknowledgment

These general terms and conditions are provided in English. By engaging CAToM, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these terms.

​

Center for Applied Theory of Mind

Revised:  4 May 2026

​

​

​