Legal Question in Consumer Law in United Kingdom

20 Year Membership Contract

My parents (in South Africa) where invited to a presentation and bought a 20 year membership to a holiday/travel agent scheme as a gift for me. After having a look at the website, i realized that this is not something my parents or i will use. Accomodation and holiday deals through this company is more expensive than doing it directly. A big sum of money was paid and there is a yearly membership fee. The company says that this can not be cancelled. Is it possible for the company to sell 20 year contract with no cancellation or money back policy? Is there any way we can get out of this contract and claim our money back?


Asked on 10/14/05, 9:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Andrew Dutton Legal -Zone

Re: 20 Year Membership Contract

under UK law it is very probable that you would be able to escape this punitive clause in the contract under the Unfair Contract Terms Act. However I am unsure from what you say of where the contract was made. If it was made in South Africa it is likely to be governed by South African law, and would not fall under the jurisdiction of UK law. If this is the case you will need to take the advice of a South African lawyer and find out whether South Africa has an equivalent to our Unfair Contract Terms Act.

Please let me know if this does seem to be a UK matter and I will be happy to advise more on the remedies available.

Kind regards

Andrew Dutton

Legal Zone

[email protected]

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Answered on 10/15/05, 5:58 am


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