IF THE Legal Practice Bill is approved in its present form, all disciplinary procedures against legal practitioners resulting from complaints from the public over abuse or malpractice will be held in public.At present, complaints against lawyers are dealt with behind closed doors by the various bar councils and law societies. These matters usually remain behind closed doors, unless they result in a practitioner being struck off the roll by the high court.The bill, which has already been approved by the National Assembly, provides for sweeping changes to the legal professions, including bringing attorneys and advocates under the regulatory authority of a single legal practice council and revised disciplinary procedures for the profession.Clauses in the bill will also compel legal practitioners to enter into written "fee agreements" with clients before legal proceedings begin.This would prevent clients from being ambushed with staggering legal costs.The Department of Justice’s chief d...
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