Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the website mervinmessias.com (“the Website”) and any purchases of books or consultations made through or as a result of the Website. The Website and practice are operated by Dr Mervin Messias (“we”, “us”), a trust and estate law consultancy based at 104 11th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, 2196, South Africa, telephone +27 (0) 11 783 0108.

By accessing or using the Website, or by placing an order or booking a consultation, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website.

The content of the Website — including articles, videos and descriptions of Dr Messias's books — is provided for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or consultant-client relationship. You should obtain advice tailored to your circumstances before acting on any information on the Website.

Dr Messias only offers tax advice incidental to trusts. Dr Messias does not carry on the business of creating a trust arrangement for a client.

Books listed on the Website are offered in South African Rand (ZAR). Prices are subject to change without notice, and the price displayed at the time of your order is the price that applies.

Payments are processed through a secure third-party payment gateway. We do not store your payment card details on the Website. An order is accepted once payment has been confirmed.

Books are shipped from Sandton, Johannesburg. We deliver within South Africa and can ship internationally on request. Delivery times vary by destination and courier; estimated delivery times are provided at checkout or on confirmation of your order. Title and risk in the books pass to you on delivery to the address you provided.

In line with section 44 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002, you may cancel an order for a book within 7 days after receipt of the goods, and return the book unused and in its original condition for a refund of the purchase price. Return shipping costs are for your account unless the book was damaged, defective or not the book you ordered, in which case we will arrange a replacement or full refund, including delivery costs. Books that have been defaced, annotated or damaged by you are excluded from this right. This clause does not limit any rights you have under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.

Queries about an order or delivery can be sent to sales@mervinmessias.com.

Consultations with Dr Messias are arranged by appointment. The fee, format and cancellation or rescheduling terms for a consultation are confirmed with you when the appointment is booked. Enquiries can be sent to mervin@mervinmessias.com.

All content on the Website — including text, articles, videos, logos and layout — and all of Dr Messias's books are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Dr Messias retains all rights in his works. You may view, download and print Website content for your own personal, non-commercial use. You may not reproduce, republish, distribute or exploit any of it commercially without our prior written permission.

The Website is provided “as is” and “as available”. We do not warrant that the Website will be uninterrupted, error-free or free of harmful code, or that the content is complete or up to date at all times.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any loss or damage — including indirect, consequential or financial loss — arising from your use of, or inability to use, the Website or the information on it. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under South African law, including under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.

The Website may contain links to third-party websites. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, availability or privacy practices of those websites.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The current version will always be published on this page with its date of last update. Your continued use of the Website after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and the South African courts have jurisdiction over any dispute arising from them.

Questions about these Terms can be sent to mervin@mervinmessias.com or posted to 104 11th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, 2196, South Africa.