The LSSA and the Attorneys Fidelity Fund have issued warnings that South African attorneys are being targeted by a fraud syndicate, using a scam perpetrated across the country.

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has expressed its grave concern at the complaint lodged by the Constitutional Court judges against Cape Judge President John Hlophe.

The LSSA has called for an overhaul of the justice system to deal with the scourge of crime in South Africa. The LSSA has also expressed its concern at statements, such as those by Deputy Minister Shabangu, which may confuse members of the public into acting unlawfully or taking the law into their own hands.

Cape Town attorney Vincent Saldanha and Pretoria attorney CP Fourie were appointed Co-Chairpersons of the LSSA at its annual general meeting in Stellenbosch on 1 April 2008.

The Council of the Law Society of South Africa has commented on the ‘disbandment’ of the ‘Scorpions’, the suspension of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, the unhealthy standoff between the SA Police Service and the Directorate of Special Operations (‘Scorpions’), as well as unwarranted attacks on the Deputy Chief Justice.

The Law Society of South Africa has called for for the restoration of the rule of law, as well as the human rights and dignity of the people of Kenya. It also calls for support for progressive lawyers’ organisations working in the mediation processes in Kenya.

The LSSA has warned the Road Accident Fund that its planned introduction of a direct payment system will severley prejudice claimants, particularly unsophisticated and illiterate claimants.

The law societies -- including the Law Society of South Africa -- and bar association members of the SADC Lawyers Association met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 22-23 June 2007 and resolved to canvass their various governments to strengthen the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in SADC  countries. Read the full resolutions from the conmference.

The LSSA has expressed its grave concern at the ongoing harassment of human rights lawyers in Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwean authorities.

Media release: LSSA cautions against direct payments by RAF

The LSSA has cautioned that the direct payment system by the RAF may disadvantage unsophisticated and illiterate claimants.

The LSSA welcomes the Constitutional Court's judgment declaring the 14-day affidavit required for compensation by the Road Accident Fund in the case of a hit-and-run accident invalid.

The LSSA Technical Working Committee has made its report and draft Charter scorecards for the attorneys’ profession available for comment by attorneys. Attorneys are invited to send their comments to LSSA CEO Raj Daya at rajdaya@lssa.org.za or Fax: (012) 362 0969 by Friday, 14 March 2008.

The members of the LSSA Technical Working Committee are David Gush, Andiswa Ndoni and Max Boqwana.