Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction & Acceptance of Terms

Last Updated: 24 September 2026

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• 1.1 Binding Nature of the Digital Engagement: By accessing the BlackLeaf Group website, proprietary digital portals, or engaging with our digital communications, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately cease the use of our platforms.

• 1.2 Applicability of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA): In accordance with the ECTA of South Africa, these terms constitute a valid, binding, and enforceable digital agreement between you (the User) and BlackLeaf Holdings.

• 1.3 Age Restrictions and Legal Capacity to Contract: Our platforms and services are intended exclusively for individuals who are at least 18 years of age and possess the full legal capacity to enter into binding commercial contracts.

• 1.4 Cross-Reference to the Global Privacy Policy: These Terms must be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which governs the collection, processing, and statutory retention of your personal and corporate data.

2. Definitions & Corporate Structure

• 2.1 BlackLeaf Holdings (Parent Company): The overarching holding entity governing the strategic direction of the multi-family office and its subsidiary operations.

• 2.2 BlackLeaf Wealth: The primary operating company. BlackLeaf Wealth operates as a strategic wealth coordinator and is expressly not an authorized Financial Services Provider (FSP) under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act.

• 2.3 Specialized Subsidiaries: The BlackLeaf network includes BlackLeaf Advisory Group, BlackLeaf Capital, BlackLeaf Properties, BlackLeaf Fiduciary Management, and BlackLeaf Business Marketplace, each operating within their specific corporate mandates.

• 2.4 Definition of External Partners: Refers to our highly vetted, entirely independent third-party professionals who are strictly regulated by bodies such as the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

• 2.5 Distinguishing "In-House Corporate Services" from Reserved Professional Practices: Our internal corporate teams provide high-level commercial contract drafting, corporate strategy, and fiduciary structuring. These services operate strictly outside the scope of "reserved legal practice" as defined by the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014.

3. Scope of Services & Operational Framework

• 3.1 Multi-Family Office (MFO) Strategic Coordination: BlackLeaf acts as the central architecture for managing multi-generational wealth, coordinating capital allocation, family governance, and estate planning through a unified strategy.

• 3.2 Corporate Advisory, M&A, and Fiduciary Structuring Mandates: We provide buy-side and sell-side advisory, capital structuring, and the establishment of corporate vehicles (such as holding companies and trusts).

• 3.3 Strict Exclusions: We do not directly provide regulated financial advisory services, statutory tax audits, or formal legal representation. All such requirements are routed through appropriately licensed External Partners.

4. Regulatory Status & Third-Party Reliance

• 4.1 Absolute Independence of Dedicated Legal and Accounting Partners: The external attorneys and chartered accountants we partner with maintain absolute operational and ethical independence in accordance with LPC and SAICA regulations.

• 4.2 Limitation of Liability for Third-Party Professional Opinions and Statutory Audits: BlackLeaf Holdings accepts no liability for formal legal opinions, tax directives, or statutory audits issued by our External Partners.

• 4.3 Explicit Disclaimer of Partnership or Agency with External Partners: No joint venture, traditional partnership, or legal agency exists between BlackLeaf Holdings and our External Partners.

5. FICA, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) & KYC Compliance

• 5.1 Acknowledgment of BlackLeaf as a Trust and Company Service Provider (TCSP): Due to our fiduciary structuring capabilities, BlackLeaf operates as an Accountable Institution under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA).

• 5.2 Mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Prior to formalizing any mandate, all clients must undergo rigorous KYC and EDD protocols. Refusal to provide requested documentation will result in the termination of engagement.

• 5.3 Statutory Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Disclosures: Users are legally compelled to disclose accurate and complete UBO information for any trusts, partnerships, or corporate entities we are asked to structure or advise.

• 5.4 Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) and Global Watchlist Screening: All prospective clients are subject to continuous screening against local and international sanctions lists.

• 5.5 Mandatory Reporting of Suspicious and Unusual Transactions: We reserve the right, and bear the statutory obligation, to report any suspicious activities to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) without notifying the client.

6. Conduct, Governance & Institutional Alignment

• 6.1 Proactive Alignment with Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Principles: BlackLeaf voluntarily aligns its operational framework with the upcoming COFI Bill, ensuring transparent and outcomes-based client engagements.

• 6.2 Adherence to the Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) Framework: We are committed to the six TCF outcomes, ensuring clear communication, fair fee structuring, and the removal of post-engagement barriers.

• 6.3 Anti-Bribery, Corruption, and Conflict of Interest Management: We enforce a zero-tolerance policy regarding bribery and strictly manage and disclose any potential conflicts of interest across our subsidiary network.

7. User Obligations & Acceptable Use of Digital Portals

• 7.1 Secure Credential Management and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Requirements: Users granted access to our client portals must protect their credentials and utilize MFA. BlackLeaf is not liable for breaches resulting from user negligence.

• 7.2 Prohibition of Unauthorized Automated Access: Users may not deploy data scraping tools, bots, or any automated systems to extract data from our platforms.

• 7.3 Warranties Regarding the Accuracy and Legality of Submitted Information: You warrant that all financial data, pitch decks, and personal information submitted to BlackLeaf is accurate, current, and legally yours to share.

• 7.4 Acceptable Use of the Proprietary Business Marketplace: Interactions within the Business Marketplace are subject to strict non-circumvention and confidentiality protocols.

8. Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure & Submission of Mandates

• 8.1 Protection of Submitted Pitch Decks, Corporate Financials, and Trade Secrets: All submitted materials are treated as highly confidential and will only be shared internally or with necessary External Partners for evaluation.

• 8.2 Distinction Between Standard Business Communications and Legally Privileged Information: Users acknowledge that standard correspondence with our in-house advisory team does not carry absolute Legal Professional Privilege, which is reserved exclusively for formal engagements with LPC-registered attorneys.

• 8.3 Transitioning from Digital Inquiry to the Execution of Formal Letters of Engagement (LOE): Digital inquiries do not constitute a formal business relationship. Formal mandates commence only upon the mutual signing of a comprehensive LOE.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

• 9.1 BlackLeaf Ownership of Platform Infrastructure, Content, and Methodologies: All website content, portal architecture, and strategic methodologies are the exclusive intellectual property of BlackLeaf Holdings.

• 9.2 Restrictions on Derivative Works, Copying, and Reverse Engineering: You may not duplicate, reverse engineer, or create derivative works from our digital platforms.

• 9.3 Trademark, Trade Dress, and Branding Protections: The "BlackLeaf" name, logo, and related trade dress may not be utilized without explicit written authorization.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties & Limitation of Liability

• 10.1 "As Is" and "As Available" Platform Provision: The website and client portals are provided "as is," without warranties of uninterrupted performance.

• 10.2 Disclaimer Regarding Market Volatility, Transaction Outcomes, and Investment Risks: BlackLeaf does not guarantee returns on capital or the successful closing of any M&A transaction. Users engage in capital markets at their own risk.

• 10.3 Limitation of Liability for Cybersecurity Breaches, Data Interception, and Platform Downtime: While utilizing institutional-grade security, BlackLeaf is not liable for losses resulting from sophisticated cyber-attacks, force majeure infrastructural failures, or third-party network interceptions.

• 10.4 Absolute Cap on Aggregate Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, BlackLeaf’s total aggregate liability for any claims arising from these Terms shall not exceed the total fees paid by the user to BlackLeaf in the three (3) months preceding the claim.

11. Indemnification

• 11.1 User Indemnification for Breach of Platform Terms: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BlackLeaf Holdings against any losses or legal costs resulting from your breach of these Terms.

• 11.2 Indemnification Regarding False FICA/UBO Disclosures or Regulatory Violations by the User: You bear full liability and must indemnify BlackLeaf for any regulatory penalties we incur due to your submission of fraudulent FICA documents or UBO declarations.

• 11.3 Third-Party Claims Arising from User-Submitted Content: You indemnify us against any claims that your submitted pitch decks or corporate data infringe on the intellectual property of a third party.

12. Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Dispute Resolution

• 12.1 Republic of South Africa Jurisdiction: These terms are governed by the laws of South Africa for operations regarding BlackLeaf Holdings, BlackLeaf Wealth, and the local subsidiary network.

• 12.2 State of Delaware, USA Jurisdiction: Matters specifically relating to offshore coordination via BlackLeaf Wealth LLC are governed by the laws of Delaware, USA.

• 12.3 Mandatory Confidential Mediation Procedures: Any dispute arising out of these Terms must first be submitted to confidential mediation before formal legal proceedings commence.

• 12.4 Binding Arbitration Protocols: Should mediation fail, disputes shall be resolved via binding arbitration in Cape Town, South Africa, utilizing the rules of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA).

13. General Provisions

• 13.1 Force Majeure: BlackLeaf shall not be liable for failure to perform its obligations due to acts of God, global pandemics, state-sanctioned grid failures, or other unforeseeable events beyond our control.

• 13.2 Severability of Unenforceable Clauses: If any provision of these Terms is deemed unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

• 13.3 Non-Waiver of Rights by BlackLeaf: Failure to enforce any right or provision in these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right.

• 13.4 Mechanisms for Policy Amendments and Continued Acceptance: We reserve the right to update these terms. Continued use of the platform following updates constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Contact Information & Legal Notices

• 14.1 Domicilium Citandi et Executandi: Formal legal notices must be served to our physical address: The Loft Office, 439 Diagonal Street, Pringle Bay, Western Cape, 7196.

• 14.2 General Enquiries: For general questions and support, contact us at enquiries@blackleafwealth.com or call our office line at +27 79 203 5844.

• 14.3 Compliance, Ethics, and Whistleblower Reporting Channels: For compliance queries or to report ethical concerns, contact our legal office at compliance@blackleafwealth.com.