Entries by LSSA

LSSA condemns attorney’s unacceptable behaviour towards journalist

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) condemns the reported behaviour of former Eskom evidence leader, Pretoria attorney Sebetja Matsaung, towards Financial Mail deputy editor, Sikonathi Mantshantsha on Friday

‘It is unacceptable for an attorney to treat a member of the media – and indeed anyone – in the manner alleged in this incident. An attorney is an officer of the court and a member of the attorneys’ profession. As such he must, first and foremost, maintain the highest standards of integrity, and refrain from doing anything which could or might bring the attorneys’ profession into disrepute. A practitioner who fails to do so could be found guilty of unprofessional and/or dishonourable and/or unworthy conduct,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Walid Brown and David Bekker.

Mr Mantshantsha can lodge a complaint with the Law Society of the Northern Provinces, the statutory regulatory body for Gauteng attorneys.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, WALID BROWN AND DAVID BEKKER
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Contact: Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele, Communications Officer, nomfundom@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344.

 

Law Society adds its voice to condemn scourge of violence against women

As Women’s Month draws to a close, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) adds its voice to the outcry condemning all forms of violence against women, which appears to have escalated to unprecedented levels in our country.

The media and social media channels have been replete with reports of rape, assaults, sexual harassment and murder of women, often by intimate partners, in the home or in the workplace. As others have done, we call on law enforcement and prosecution agencies to act swiftly and decisively to bring perpetrators to book so that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done.

‘From the side of the LSSA, we will call on the statutory regulatory bodies, the four provincial law societies, to undertake a review of the rules of professional conduct as well as the procedures related to these, to ensure that all practitioners, but particularly women attorneys and candidate attorneys, find a sensitive and supportive environment when reporting any form of abuse to the law societies,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons, Walid Brown and David Bekker.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, WALID BROWN AND DAVID BEKKER
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Contact: Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za
(012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele, Communications Officer, nomfundom@LSSA.org.za
(012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344.
 

 

Law Society Shocked and Saddened at Passing of CEO, Nic Swart

It is with deep shock and sadness that the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) announces the untimely death of its Chief Executive Officer and Director of Legal Education and Development (LEAD), Nic Swart at the age of 63.

He died in Gaborone, Botswana in the early hours of this morning, while attending the SADC Lawyers Association conference.

‘The LSSA, its council, staff and the profession have lost a colleague, a dear friend, a mentor, a leader and an innovator passionate about the legal profession in general and legal education in particular,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons David Bekker and Walid Brown.

They add: ‘Nic has led the LSSA and its various departments ably as CEO since 2011 through times of growth and achievement locally, regionally and internationally, but also through the difficult and at times contentious and uncertain processes around the transition to the new dispensation under the Legal Practice Act. A consummate educationist, he strove to ensure that practical vocational training and continuing legal education, which he has spearheaded and nurtured since 1989, continue to be accessible and affordable for aspirant legal practitioners and those already in practice. Nic was especially passionate about the empowerment of young lawyers and of the LSSA staff.’

‘Our profession owes an incalculable debt of gratitude to Nic Swart, as do the thousands of attorneys who have received training, guidance and support from his beloved School for Legal Practice and the LEAD department over nearly three decades.’

Nic Swart joined the LSSA’s predecessor, the Association of Law Societies, in 1989 to start a pilot school for legal practice. That small pilot project with only 51 candidate attorneys has grown immensely since 1990 to one of the premier legal education institutions in the country through Nic’s vision, unstinting dedication and hard work.

We offer our support, thoughts and prayers to Nic’s wife Mariette and his two daughters who have walked every step with Nic and with the LSSA all these years. May they find solace in the knowledge that Nic was loved, appreciated and admired in the profession and beyond.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, WALID BROWN AND DAVID BEKKER
by the Law Society of South Africa Communication Department
Contact: Barbara Whittle, Communication Manager, barbara@LSSA.org.za (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Manyathi-Jele, Communications Officer, nomfundom@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344.