Court of Master Sommelier 2012 Terms & Conditions

  • The Court of Master Sommeliers ("CMS") was established in 1977 to promote excellence in hotel and restaurant beverage services. CMS' intensive education and examination program guides aspiring Masters through four increasingly rigorous levels of coursework and examination, culminating in the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination. By enrolling in the CMS course and examination program, you too can aspire to achieving the distinction of Master Sommelier.
  • The CMS program is conducted in Australia through its licensee, Fine Wine Partners Australia Pty Limited ("FWP").
  • Enrolment is open to applicants who are 18 years or over. To apply for enrolment in either the Introductory Course and Exams or Certified Exams offered in various major capital cities at various times, please check www.mastersommeliers.com.au for information in relation to enrolment dates, fees, qualification criteria and to complete the application form. Please note that enrolment into the Certified Exam is only offered, in CMS's sole discretion, to those applicants that have successfully completed the Introductory Exam in a previous year, or that enrol and successfully complete the Introductory Exam immediately prior to wishing to sit the Certified Exam.
  • CMS/FWP will accept for enrolment a minimum of 50 eligible applicants for each Introductory Course and Exam offered. In its sole discretion, CMS/FWP may increase or reduce the minimum number of applicants accepted for any course and exam offered or refuse applications for enrolment and refund application fees pursuant to clause 9 of these terms and conditions.
  • CMS will select for enrolment a maximum of 36 eligible applicants for each of the Certified Exams offered. Eligibility for enrolment into a Certified Exam is at the sole discretion of CMS but CMS will consider applicants that have previously successfully completed an Introductory Course and Exam and/or the top qualifying applicants from the Introductory Exam conducted immediately prior to the Certified Exam. In its sole discretion, CMS may increase or decrease the maximum number of applicants accepted for any Certified Exam offered or refuse applications for enrolment and refund application fees pursuant to clause 9 of these terms and conditions.
  • CMS/FWP reserve the right in their absolute discretion to reject applications for enrolment if the applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria or for any other reason as determined by CMS/FWP in their sole discretion including but not limited to submission of untruthful content during the application process.
  • FWP will be facilitating the following CMS courses and exams in the below state capital cities:
    • Melbourne Introductory Course and Exam: 23rd to 25th January 2012.
    • Melbourne Certified Exam: 25th January 2012
    • Sydney Introductory Course and Exam: 27th to 29th January 2012.
    • Sydney Certified Exam: 29th January 2012
    CMS/FWP reserve the right to cancel any of the above CMS courses or exams if insufficient applications for enrolment are received. In the event that CMS/FWP must cancel any of the CMS courses or exams, it will give applicants a minimum of 21 days notice prior to the scheduled commencement of the CMS course or exam in which the applicant is enrolled and applicants will receive a full refund pursuant to clause 10 of these terms and conditions.
  • The below fees are payable on enrolment:
    • Introductory Course and Exam: AUD$500 inclusive of GST
    • Certified Exam: AUD$400 inclusive of GST
    Enrolment applications must be received during the Registration Period between 9.00 EDT on Monday 24th October 2011 to 23.59 EDT on Friday 20th January 2012. Entries received after 20th January 2012 will not be accepted.
    If applicants intend to complete both the Introductory Course and Exam and the Certified Exam, payment in full is required for both course and exams on application. FWP accepts all major credit cards as payment. Please note that payments processed using an AMEX or Diners Club credit card attract a 3% surcharge.
  • If an applicant cancels enrolment prior to 23rd Dec 2011, the applicant will incur a 20% cancellation fee. If an applicant cancels up to and including 14 days prior to the scheduled start date of the course or exam in which the applicant is enrolled, the applicant will incur a 50% cancellation fee. Any cancellations received within 13 days of the scheduled start date of the course or exam in which an applicant is enrolled will incur a 100% cancellation fee. In the event that CMS/FWP cancel a scheduled course or exam or decline an application into any one or all courses and/or exams for which an applicant has applied for enrolment, applicants will receive a full refund of the enrolment fees. Any refunds made pursuant to this clause will be credited to the applicant's credit card as provided on application.
  • Accepted applicants will be judged, assessed and examined throughout the course by the nominated CMS judges and the CMS judges will ultimately determine whether or not an applicant has successfully completed the exam in which the applicant is enrolled. In assessing and exercising their judgment, the CMS judges have absolute discretion and any decision of the CMS judges is final and non-negotiable. However, in exercising their discretion the CMS judges will be guided by the judging criteria set out on the CMS website at www.mastersommeliers.com.au
  • The CMS judges in their sole discretion may nominate one applicant that successfully completes a Certified Exam offered during 2012 in any capital city for the Petaluma CMS Scholarship Prize. For full terms and conditions on the Petaluma CMS Scholarship Prize visit www.mastersommeliers.com.au.
  • CMS/FWP reserve the right to request verification of age, identity, residential address of applicants and any other information relevant to entry into their participation in a CMS course or exam.
  • CMS/FWP will not be responsible for late, lost or misdirected applications or other communications.
  • CMS and FWP, or any related body corporate of FWP, shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury suffered as a result of individuals enrolling and participating in any CMS course or exam, except for any loss, damage or injury which is due to the negligence or wilful misconduct of CMS or FWP or which otherwise cannot be excluded by law.
  • Applicants will be refused service of alcohol or provision of alcoholic beverages during any CMS courses or exams if it would breach any relevant laws, codes or policies of the relevant liquor licensee, including those relating to the responsible service of alcohol. FWP and CMS support the responsible service of alcohol.
  • Applicants consent to FWP, CMS or any sponsor of the CMS program in Australia using their name and likeness for an unlimited period of time without remuneration for the purpose of promoting the CMS courses or exams and/or promoting any products manufactured, distributed and/or supplied by FWP or any sponsor of the CMS program.
  • Details from entries will be collected and used for the purpose of administering the CMS courses and exams (which may include disclosure to third parties, including any sponsors of the CMS program. By applying to enrol in a CMS course or exam, applicants consent to the use of their information as described in these terms and conditions and agree that FWP, CMS and any third party may use it in any future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes without any future reference or payment to the applicant. Applicants may access, change and/or update their personal information and obtain a copy of FWP's privacy policy by contacting LyLy Lim on 1300 668 712.
  • The CMS Education Programs are offered in Australia by its licensee, Fine Wine Partners Australia Pty Limited (ABN 11 007 982 818) of Level 7, 68 York Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.

Petaluma CMS Scholarship Prize Terms and Conditions

  • Information on how to enter and prizes form part of these conditions. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these conditions. Entries must comply with these conditions to be valid.
  • Entry is open to residents of Australia who are 18 years and over. Employees and their immediate families of the Promoter, its agencies and venues/outlets associated with this competition are ineligible to enter.
  • To enter:
    • complete and submit the online enrolment form for the Court of Master Sommelier 2012 (CMS) Certified Exam at www.mastersommeliers.com.au during the Registration Period;
    • make payment of the Certified Exam fee as set out in the CMS terms and conditions by 31st December 2011; and
    • successfully complete the Certified Exam within the relevant Entry Period.
    Limit applies of one entry per person.
    Enrolment applications must be received by the Promoter during the Registration Period between 9.00 EDT on Monday 24th October 2011 to 23.59 EDT on Friday 20th January 2012. Entries received after 20th January 2012 will not be accepted.
  • The competition commences and closes on the following dates ("Entry Period"):
    • Melbourne: 8.00 EDT to 18.00 EDT on 25th January 2012; or
    • Sydney: 8.00 EDT to 18.00 EDT on 29th January 2012.
  • This competition is a game of skill. Chance plays no part in determining the winner(s). All entries will be judged individually on their merits based on the judging criteria set out at mastersommeliers.com.au. The best candidate from all Certified Exams conducted in Melbourne and Sydney, as determined by the judges, will receive the prize.
  • Judging will take place at 5pm EDT on 29th January 2012 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney.
    Entries will be judged by a panel of judges from the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the winner will be announced at the same place after conclusion of the judging process. The winner will be notified by mail on or by 31st January 2012.
  • Prize consists of a:
    • 7 night trip to UK or USA for one adult to complete one attempt at the Court Of Master Sommelier Advanced Exam, to be taken within 24 months of announcerment of the winner, including the cost of:
      • Accommodation for 7 nights at a 3 Star hotel;
      • one return economy class airfare ticket to UK or USA from the winner's closest capital city; and
      • The Court of Master Sommeliers' enrolment fees for the Advanced Exam.
    Total RRP value of the prize is approximately $6000 (depending on point of departure).
    All other ancillary costs including but not limited to insurance, taxes (excluding GST), passport and visa fees, meals, drinks, transfers and any and all other expenses are the responsibility of the winner. Dates for the sitting of the exam, flights and accommodation are to be agreed between the winner and the Promoter.
  • Prizes are not transferable and are not redeemable for cash. The judges' decision is final and binding - no correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter assumes no responsibility for any failure to receive an enrolment application or for inaccurate information or for any loss, damage or injury as a result of technical or telecommunications problems, including security breaches. If such problems arise, then the Promoter may (where necessary with the approval of the relevant lottery authority) modify, cancel, terminate or suspend the promotion.
  • If any prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond the Promoter's control, the Promoter may substitute a prize of equal or greater value.
  • The Promoter reserves the right to request verification of age, identity, residential address and any other information from entrants relevant to enrolment into the CMS Certified Exam or participation in this promotion. Verification is at the discretion of the Promoter, whose decision is final. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any individual who provides false information, fails to provide information, conspires with others to gain an unfair advantage or who is otherwise involved in any way in manipulating, interfering or tampering with this promotion.
  • The prize is subject to the terms and conditions of CMS and any other third party prize suppliers. The Promoter is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury suffered by any winner as a result of the conduct of CMS or any third party prize supplier or otherwise as a result of accepting and/or using a prize except for any loss, damage or injury which is due to the negligence or wilful misconduct of the Promoter or which otherwise cannot be excluded by law.
  • The prize is subject to select seat class availability with airline and specific room category availability with accommodation provider. Flights and accommodation are also subject to the participating airline's and accommodation provider's booking and reservations policies, with the airline and accommodation provider reserving the right to restrict bookings at any time. Travel insurance is compulsory and at the expense of the winner. The winner and guest may be required to provide a credit card imprint at check-in that will be used to charge for incidentals such as optional tours and/or will be used as a bond in case of damage to the property.
  • The prize winner must be aged 18 years or over. Prize must be booked at least 60 days prior to travel. All travel must be completed within in 24 months of the date of award. Winner will be required to sign a prize acceptance form to accept the prize. Availability cannot be guaranteed during Christmas, school holiday and special event periods. Suppliers / airlines to be chosen at Promoter's discretion.
  • It is a condition of accepting the prize that the prize winner must comply with all the conditions of use of the prize and prize supplier's requirements. Once booking is confirmed, changes may incur fee, which are to be met by the winner. Changes within 7 days of travel are not possible and the prize will be forfeited in its entirety. If travel is not completed by 29 January 2014 it will be forfeited.
  • Entrants confirm and promise that their work is original and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party. Further, entrants agree that ownership of any intellectual property rights in their answers contained in the Certified Exam is assigned to the Promoter. The entrant agrees to sign any further documentation required by the Promoter to give effect to this arrangement as a precondition to being awarded the prize. To the extent permitted by law, entrants unconditionally and irrevocably consent to any act or omission that would otherwise infringe any moral rights in their answers contained in the Certified Exams.
  • Entrants will be refused service of alcohol or provision of an alcoholic beverage prize if it would breach any relevant laws, codes or policies including those of the relevant liquor licensee relating to the responsible service of alcohol. The Promoter supports the responsible service of alcohol.
  • Entrants consent to the Promoter using their name, image and/or voice in the event that they are a winner in any media for an unlimited period of time without remuneration for the purpose of promoting this promotion (including any outcome) and/or promoting any products manufactured, distributed and/or supplied by the Promoter.
  • Enrolment forms remain the property of the Promoter. Details from enrolment forms will be collected and used for the purposes of conducting this promotion (which may include disclosure to third parties for the purpose of processing and conducting the promotion) and for promotional purposes surrounding this promotion. By entering this promotion entrants consent to the use of their information as described and agree that the Promoter may use this information, or disclose it to other organisations that may use it, in any media for future promotional, marketing and publicity purposes without any further reference or payment to the entrant. Entrants may access, change and/or update their personal information and obtain a copy of the Promoter's privacy policy by contacting the Promoter on 1300 668 712 during office hours.
  • The Promoter is Fine Wine Australia Partners Pty Ltd (ABN 11 007 982 818 ) Level 7, 68 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

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