TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Welcome to the official website of RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers ("the Website"). These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the Website and any content, services, or features available on or through the Website.
1.2 By accessing or using the Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must refrain from using the Website.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 "RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers “or "We" or "Us”: Refers to RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers, a Law firm duly registered with the Legal Practice Council of South Africa and its affiliates.
2.2 "You" or "User”: Refers to any individual or entity accessing or using the Website.
2.3 "Content”: Refers to all text, images, graphics, videos, data, software, and other materials available on the Website.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
3.1 Use of the Website is subject to compliance with these Terms and Conditions, as well as all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines in South Africa, including but not limited to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), and international anti-money laundering laws.
3.2 You represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old or have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement under South African law.
4. LICENSE TO USE THE WEBSITE
4.1 RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Website for lawful purposes only.
4.2 You may not:
a) Reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of any Content without prior written consent;
b) Use the Website for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms and Conditions;
c) Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Website or its servers, systems, or networks.
5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
5.1 All Content on the Website, including but not limited to trademarks, logos, designs, and proprietary information, is the property of RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers or its licensors and is protected under South African intellectual property laws.
5.2 Unauthorised use of any Content may violate copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property laws.
6. CYBERSECURITY MEASURES
6.1 To ensure the security and integrity of the Website, RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers has implemented the following cybersecurity measures:
a) Encryption protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS) to protect sensitive data transmitted via the Website;
b) Firewalls and intrusion detection systems to prevent unauthorised access;
c) Regular updates and patches to address vulnerabilities in the Website’s software;
d) Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for user accounts where applicable.
6.2 User Responsibilities:
a) You must not attempt to bypass, disable, or interfere with any security features of the Website;
b) You must not upload viruses, malware, or other harmful code to the Website;
c) You must use strong passwords and safeguard your login credentials to prevent unauthorised access.
d) It is your responsibility to ensure the integrity of any password or confidential information and the use of this website is at your own risk without any Liability or recourse to RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers (Pty) Ltd, its affiliates, employees, Director and or management.
e) You must report any suspected security breaches or suspicious activity to RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers immediately.
COMPLIANCE WITH FICA AND ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS
7.1 RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers complies with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) and international anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. By using the Website, you agree to provide accurate and truthful information as required by FICA and AML laws.
7.2 If you engage in transactions or communications through the Website, you may be required to submit proof of identity, proof of address, or other documentation as mandated by FICA and AML regulations.
7.3 Any suspicious activity, including but not limited to unusual financial transactions, will be reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with FICA and AML laws.
8. INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
8.1 The Website may be accessed globally; however, it is governed by South African law. Users accessing the Website from outside South Africa must comply with all applicable local laws, including but not limited to data protection, privacy, and export control laws.
8.2 RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers reserves the right to restrict access to the Website from certain jurisdictions if required by law or if such access poses a risk to the security or integrity of the Website.
10. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
10.1 The Website is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
10.2 RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers does not warrant that the Website will be error-free, secure, or uninterrupted.
11. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
11.1 RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the Website.
11.2 This limitation of liability applies even if RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
11.3 Users acknowledge that RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers has taken reasonable steps to mitigate risks associated with the Website.
12. PRIVACY POLICY
12.1 Your use of the Website is also governed by RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers (Pty) Ltd.’s Privacy Policy, which outlines how your personal information is collected, used, and protected.
12.2 By using the Website, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Policy and POPIA.
13. LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES
13.1 The Website may contain links to third-party websites for convenience. RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, or practices of these third-party websites.
13.2 You access third-party websites at your own risk.
13. TERMINATION
RS Block Attorneys & Conveyancers reserves the right to terminate or suspend your access to the Website at any time, without prior notice, for any reason, including but not limited to violations of these Terms and Conditions.
14. GOVERNING LAW
14.1 These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
14.2 Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.
Legal Basis:
Under POPIA, we only collect personal information that is necessary for legitimate purposes, such as providing services, fulfilling contractual obligations, or complying with legal requirements.
4. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
4.1 We may use your personal information for the following purposes:
a) To respond to your inquiries or provide requested services;
b) To process transactions or fulfil contractual obligations;
c) To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, including FICA and anti-money laundering laws;
d) To improve the functionality and user experience of the Website;
e) To send marketing communications (with your consent).
4.2 Your personal information will not be used for purposes other than those explicitly stated in this Privacy Policy unless required by law or with your consent.
5. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
5.1 We may disclose your personal information to third parties under the following circumstances:
a) To service providers or contractors who assist us in operating the Website or providing services (e.g., IT support, payment processors);
b) To comply with legal obligations, subpoenas, or court orders;
c) To enforce our Terms and Conditions or protect our rights, property, or safety;
d) With your explicit consent.
5.2 We will ensure that third parties adhere to strict confidentiality and data protection standards in line with POPIA.
6. ACCESS TO INFORMATION
6.1 Under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), you have the right to request access to your personal information held by RS Block Attorneys and Conveyancers.
6.2 To submit a PAIA request, please complete the prescribed form. A reasonable fee may apply for processing your request.
6.3 We will respond to your request within 30 days of receipt, as required by PAIA.
7. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
7.1 We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration.
7.2 Security measures include:
a) Encryption of sensitive data;
b) Firewalls and intrusion detection systems;
c) Regular security audits and updates;
d) Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis.
7.3 While we take all reasonable steps to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION
8.1 RS Block Attorneys and Conveyancers encourages whistle-blowers to report unethical or illegal activities, including breaches of privacy, corruption, or misconduct.
8.2 Reports can be submitted anonymously through our whistle-blower hotline or email ([Insert Contact Details]). All reports will be investigated in accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act (Whistle-blower Act) 26 of 2000.
8.3 Whistle-blowers are protected from retaliation under South African law.
9. RETENTION AND DELETION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
9.1 We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law.
9.2 Upon request, you may ask us to delete or correct your personal information, subject to applicable legal obligations.
10. MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
10.1 If you subscribe to our mailing list or opt-in to receive marketing communications, we may send you promotional materials about our products and services.
10.2 You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the email or contacting us directly.
11. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
11.1 The Website is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent.
12. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
12.1 Your personal information may be transferred to third parties located outside South Africa if necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy.
12.2 We will ensure that such transfers comply with POPIA and other applicable data protection laws.
13. AMENDMENTS TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
13.1 We reserve the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on the Website, and the effective date will be updated accordingly.
13.2 Continued use of the Website after such amendments constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.