LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA ISSUES STERN WARNING AGAINST THE THEFT, LEAKAGE AND USE OF STOLEN EXAMINATION PAPERS
5 September 2025
PRESS RELEASE
LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA ISSUES STERN WARNING AGAINST THE THEFT, LEAKAGE AND USE OF STOLEN EXAMINATION PAPERS
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the theft and leakage of professional examination papers, as well as the possession, circulation and use of any unlawfully obtained exam content. The LSSA has noted recent social media activity alleging the circulation of leaked Board Examination materials and reiterates that such conduct strikes at the heart of professional ethics and public trust in the legal profession.
The Board Examinations are administered by the Legal Practice Council (LPC). The LSSA supports the LPC in safeguarding the integrity of these assessments and calls for urgent, thorough investigations into any allegation of leakage or misuse, with appropriate consequences to follow.
President of the LSSA, Nkosana Mvundlela noted: ‘Stealing, leaking or using stolen papers has no place in our profession. Anyone who participates in this conduct, or benefits from it, demonstrates a disregard for the law and for the public that lawyers are sworn to serve. If an investigation confirms involvement, such a person should expect decisive action and should not anticipate a future in the legal profession.’
Professional ethics are not negotiable. The LPC Code of Conduct makes it clear that conduct which brings the profession into disrepute amounts to misconduct. The LPC’s disciplinary framework provides for investigation and adjudication of such misconduct, including matters relating to candidate legal practitioners. Confirmed involvement in examination leaks may result in the invalidation of results, exclusion from future sittings and serious consequences for admission.
The LSSA calls on the profession and candidates to report suspicions or evidence of leaks immediately. Complaints and information should be lodged directly with the LPC through its channels. This is not the first time the profession has had to confront the threat of exam leaks. In 2018, the problem had grave consequences for candidates and for the profession’s reputation. The LSSA will not allow a repeat of such harm and will support the LPC and law enforcement to ensure accountability.
Mr Mvundlela added: ‘The legal profession rests on integrity, competence and the rule of law. Cheating corrodes each of these pillars. We will continue to work with the LPC to protect the fairness of the examinations and the credibility of the profession.’
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA,
Nkosana Francois Mvundlela
For media inquiries, please contact:
LSSA Communication Manager: Mapula Oliphant
Tel: (012) 366 8808
Cell: 076 026 5997
Editor’s note: The Law Society of South Africa brings together the Black Lawyers Association, the National Association of Democratic Lawyers and Independent attorneys, in representing the attorneys’ profession in South Africa.
