How Legal Practice Act overlooks the spirit of pro bono work
Legal fraternity debates how to entrench public service and services for poor people
The Legal Practice Act does not clearly address the critical question of access to justice through pro bono services. The rule of law does not exist if a person cannot access the courts and legal assistance. Pro bono legal services came under the spotlight at consultative workshops convened around SA in September by the Law Society of SA, the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers. Opening the Johannesburg workshop, attorney Mohammed Randera said the Law Society, the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers "have learned from past experience that if the profession doesn’t provide direction to the National Forum, to government and to others, we are likely to be presented with solutions that don’t work for us and we legal practitioners will have to bear the consequences for years to come." The Law Society’s Ricardo Wyngaard says the fact that pro bono services are not mentioned in the act is regarded by the prof...
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.