THE Public Service Commission (PSC) says the system used by the state attorney’s offices to allocate work to advocates is not transparent.In a report released this week, the commission said an estimated seven out of 10 court cases involved the government and were litigated by the state attorney’s office. The office was widely acknowledged as a key player in transforming the legal profession by ensuring black and women counsel get briefed, the report said.One of the things the PSC looked into, prompted by judicial complaints about the quality of the work of the state attorney’s office, was its briefing patterns.There was no policy in place for briefing counsel, although one was being developed, said the report.Even though the state attorneys did brief a majority of black and women counsel, only a few and the same black and women advocates were given preference.There were allegations that some counsel were given more briefs or briefs in more complex matters, "depending on their politi...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.