Pre-transaction disclosures
Before money moves, users should see platform details, fees, payment flow, cancellation rules, inspection period, dispute process, privacy handling, and the role of any payment provider.
Compliance approach
How Guardian Escrow should operate within South African law.
The system should be designed as a controlled transaction-management platform using regulated payment partners, clear escrow terms, evidence records, and consumer-rights-aware release rules.
Escrow agreement capture
Every deal should record the buyer, seller, amount, goods or service scope, delivery date, inspection rules, release trigger, refund rules, dispute process, and accepted evidence types.
KYC, KYB, and risk checks
Identity checks, business checks, sanctions screening, risk scoring, and suspicious-behaviour monitoring should be applied according to the transaction value and risk profile.
Segregated customer funds
Customer money should be kept separate from operating funds and handled through a properly structured trust/client-money account or a regulated payment partner arrangement.
Delivery, inspection, and service acceptance
The buyer should have a defined inspection or acceptance window. The seller should be able to upload proof of delivery, service completion, or milestone evidence.
Release, refund, or dispute
Funds should only be released, refunded, or held for review according to the accepted agreement and applicable consumer rights. Dispute decisions should rely on the recorded evidence trail.
Product rules to build next
Required safeguards before launch
- Terms of service tailored to South African escrow transactions.
- Privacy policy and POPIA processing notices.
- Payment-provider agreement and customer-fund segregation model.
- KYC/KYB workflow with risk-based transaction limits.
- Deal creation form that captures goods, services, milestones, inspection period, and release conditions.
- Dispute workflow with evidence upload, timestamps, and audit history.
- Refund and cancellation policy aligned to consumer-law rights.
- Prohibited goods/services policy and AML monitoring rules.
- Clear disclaimer that Guardian is not a bank, insurer, investment provider, or legal adviser unless licensed as such.