For coaches, consulting companies, and academia. We view offer, marketing, sales, contracts, implementation, and conflicts as a system — and secure it so that you can scale without increasing the risk with each launch.
15 to 20 minutes · free and non-binding
We work on the provider side. If one of these situations sounds like yours, you're in the right place.
You sell knowledge online
Programs, member areas, courses, mentoring — live, recorded, or blended.
You're not sure whether the FernUSG applies
Since the BGH ruling of 12 June 2025, contracts without ZFU approval are invalid, even in B2B transactions. You want clarity for your offer.
You want protection without rebuilding everything
Set up contracts, T&Cs and processes so that refund claims are hard to bring — pragmatic, not academic.
You want to use ZFU approval as leverage
ZFU approval as a foundation that holds even after a legislative reform, with possible tax and funding benefits.
Are you a coaching participant considering a refund claim? This page is for providers. For participants, see our Analysis of the BGH ruling.
Across your business model — from the first ad to defending against claims.
Word sales pages, ads, onboarding and support consistently. The content decides, not the label.
Draft participant contracts, T&Cs and the withdrawal notice so that the legal classification is unambiguous.
Set up live sessions, recordings, tasks and feedback so that contract and practice match.
We support both paths: consistently staying outside the FernUSG, or a complete course concept for approval — usually around three months.
When a participant or a law firm demands money back: secure deadlines, review the claim, defend.
As the external legal department for your coaching business — on board for every new program.
Clarity instead of opinions
A reliable classification for your specific offer — not the thousandth general statement from the community.
Scale without building up risk
Every launch on a sound structure. Refund claims come to nothing because contract and practice match.
We know both sides
We see how claims against providers are pursued — and build your offering so that these attacks don't succeed.
Four steps, no surprises. The first one is free.
Process
Introduction
15 to 20 minutes, free of charge. We listen to how your offer is structured today.
Review
Contracts, T&Cs, sales pages, processes: we review them and tell you openly where you are vulnerable.
Choose the path
Staying outside the FernUSG or approval — with effort, timeline and consequences for your model.
Implement and support
Adapt the documents, processes, and communication. After that, we remain as the external legal department.
Yes. On June 12, 2025 (Case III ZR 109/24), the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled that the Distance Learning Protection Act (FernUSG) protects not only consumers but also entrepreneurs who book an online coaching or mentoring program. If such an offering requires approval and approval from the State Central Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) is missing, the contract is void. Participants can then reclaim amounts already paid.
If your offering meets all four criteria of the FernUSG: it is paid, it imparts knowledge or skills, instructors and participants are predominantly physically separated (e.g., in video courses, membership areas or recorded calls), and learning success is monitored, for example through mandatory assignments, worksheets, submission deadlines or individual feedback. If all four criteria are met, you need ZFU approval.
Yes. If one of the four characteristics is missing, the FernUSG does not apply and you do not need approval. In practice, the starting point is usually the monitoring of learning progress: no mandatory assignments, tests or submission deadlines, no individual progress checks, live formats without mandatory recordings where possible, and no educational vocabulary such as “academy” or “curriculum”. What matters is that the contract, T&Cs, marketing and the actual process reflect this consistently. A label such as “mentoring” alone does not protect you — what counts is what is actually offered.
With complete documents, the ZFU usually decides within about three months; however, the authority is currently very busy. Add about three months for preparing the application, i.e. course materials, contract terms and advertising material. Plan for around six months in total.
The initial consultation (15 to 20 minutes, by phone) is free and non-binding. Before any costs arise, you receive a quote: a fixed price for clearly defined tasks where possible, otherwise at an hourly rate (€350 net per hour). You'll find all models under Pricing & Terms.
Attorney, Certified Specialist in Commercial and Corporate Law
Darius Dubiel is a Certified Specialist in Commercial and Corporate Law with a particular focus on compliance advisory, restructuring, insolvency law, digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in a corporate context. He specializes in corporate law, legal support for coaches and questions of insolvency and restructuring law. Another focus is representing coaches and educational providers in proceedings concerning the Distance Learning Protection Act (FernUSG), ZFU approval and refund claims by customers.
In the free initial consultation, we’ll tell you where your setup stands and which path fits your model.
15 to 20 minutes · free and non-binding · by phone or video
