FOR LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

Download the February 2019 newsletter

LATEST ON THE LEGAL PRACTICE ACT

Amendments to Rule 21.11. Legal Practice Council Notice 57 of 2019
On 1 February 2019, the LPC gazetted an amended Rule 21.11 of the Rules.  Rule 21 deals with the requirements for the examinations or assessments to be undertaken by persons wishing to be enrolled as legal practitioners. This has been necessitated by the fact that a number of persons wishing to be admitted and enrolled as attorneys have completed the full-time practical training course presented by the School for Legal Practice, but are not entitled to present themselves for the competency-based examinations or assessments provided for in s 26(1)(d) of the Act, read with Rule 21, because they are not eligible to do so under the provisions of the current Rule 21.11. Section 14(3)(d) of the Attorneys Act, 1979 would have entitled the candidate attorneys concerned to present themselves for the practical examinations, but in terms of the existing Rule 21.11 they are no longer eligible to write the examinations. They are accordingly prejudiced thereby. Read more here.

Provincial Council elections
The Legal Practice Council nomination process for the nomination of Provincial Council members has opened. The nomination process closes on 22 February 2019. Practising attorneys must nominate one attorney and advocates one advocate. For queries please e-mail lpcsupport@isiqhingi.co.za    Read more here.

Draft Code of Conduct
The Legal Practice Council called for comments on the draft Code of Conduct for legal practitioners.  Read more here.  View the LSSA commments to the LPC here.

View recent notices from the Legal Practice Council here.

 FOR THE PUBLIC

ADMISSION OF GUILT FINES: SHOULD YOU JUST PAY?

The SAPS may give a person, who has been arrested on suspicion of a less serious crime, an option to pay an admission of guilt fine. Many people pay an admission of guilt fine so that they can be released from police custody – not knowing what it means and how it will affect them. Unfortunately, there are consequences to paying an admission of guilt fine which may haunt a person for many years to come.  It is advisable first to speak to an attorney before you pay an admission of guilt fine. Download our brochure and read more here.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT ATTORNEYS

Attorneys and advocates are registered with the Legal Practice Council. Complaints must be lodged with Legal Practice Council. Check with the Legal Practice Council whether an attorney is in good standing, has a Fidelity Fund certificate, get contact information for complaints and read about your rights and responsibilities as the client of an attorney. Read more.

CLAIMING FROM THE ROAD ACCIDENT FUND: WHY USE AN ATTORNEY

Although you can claim direct from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, an attorney specialising in personal injury claims has the knowledge and experience to assist you and to ensure that your claim is properly calculated and submitted to the RAF in accordance with the Road Accident Fund Act and Regulations. Read more