Law Society launches independent whistle-blowing channels to report exam leaks
An independent whistle-blowing line, email and sms facility has been created for reporting any information relating to the leakage of the above exam papers. If you have any information relating to the leakage, please report this information using the contact details below.
All disclosures made will be treated with strict anonymity. The names and contact details of individuals making the disclosures will not be provided to the LSSA or the firm investigating the leakage unless permission has been granted by the caller.
Reports can be made to any of the following channels:
- Unique free call 0800 number – 0800 61 12 09
- SMS short code – 33490
- Toll free facsimile – 0800 212 689
- Online reporting – www.whistleblowing.co.za
- E-mail – information@whistleblowing.co.za
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, ETTIENNE BARNARD AND MVUZO NOTYESI
LSSA Communications:
Barbara Whittle barbara@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Jele nomfundom@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344
Law Society clarifies confusion relating to its continuation under the Legal Practice Act
‘The LSSA is concerned at the confusion created by reports that the new Legal Practice Council has replaced the Law Society of South Africa. These reports are factually incorrect as the LSSA continues to exist as an independent body to represent, support, assist and train attorneys,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Mvuzo Notyesi and Ettienne Barnard.
In the dispensation preceding 1 November 2018, the four provincial law societies – the Cape Law Society, KwaZulu-Natal Law Society, Law Society of the Free State and the Law Society of the Northern Provinces – were the only statutory regulatory bodies for attorneys in terms of the Attorneys Act, 1979. These four law societies, together with the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (Nadel) (the latter two being voluntary associations), were the six constituent members of the LSSA, a voluntary association of those six bodies. The LSSA was never a statutory body.
The Legal Practice Council is the new statutory regulatory body for legal practitioners (attorneys and advocates) in terms of the Legal Practice Act, 2014, which came into operation on 1 November 2018. The four statutory provincial law societies are now regional offices of the Legal Practice Council and are no longer constituent members of the LSSA.
The LSSA recently amended its constitution in terms of which BLA and Nadel remain its constituent members, and the provincial law societies have been replaced by voluntary provincial attorneys’ associations.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, ETTIENNE BARNARD AND MVUZO NOTYESI
LSSA Communications:
Barbara Whittle – barbara@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Nomfundo Jele – nomfundom@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 072 402 6344
Law Society clarifies confusion relating to its continuation under the Legal Practice Act.
Law Society clarifies confusion relating to its continuation under the Legal Practice Act
Legal Practice Council: Code of Conduct not in operation
Approved on 31 October 2018
Issued on behalf of:
Ms Kathleen Dlepu
Chairperson: Legal Practice Council
Queries:
Ms Charity Nzuza, Acting Executive Officer
cmhlungu@justice.gov.za
31 October 2018
Legal Practice Council Notice to all legal practitioners new rules regarding robing in court not yet effective
Approved on 31 October 2018
Issued on behalf of:
Ms Kathleen Dlepu
Chairperson: Legal Practice Council
Queries:
Ms Charity Nzuza, Acting Executive Officer
cmhlungu@justice.gov.za
31 October 2018
Download the LPC advisory here.
Statement of apology issued by the non-BLA, non-Nadel council members of the Council of the Law Society of South Africa
During the recent election process and leading up to the election of the council members of the Legal Practice Council, the constituent members of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) released lists of their preferred candidates for election.
We, the non-BLA, non-Nadel council members of the LSSA Council, included names of Black Lawyers Association (BLA) and National Association of Democratic Lawyers (Nadel) members on our preferred list. It has been brought to our attention that this may have been perceived to have been divisive. For this we offer an unconditional apology. Going forward into the new dispensation the constituent members of the LSSA commit to engaging with one another with mutual respect and in the true spirit of openness and inclusivity for the benefit of the legal profession.
Statement issued by the non-BLA, non-Nadel council members of the Council of the Law Society of South Africa.
Law Society welcomes panel on National Director of Public Prosecutions
Law Society welcomes panel on NDPP
The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) commends President Cyril Ramaphosa for setting up a panel of independent legal organisations to identify a suitable, fit and proper candidate for the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
'The LSSA is honored to form part of the panel and takes this duty very seriously. We regard this as a significant step in what will be a tough journey towards restoring public confidence in the prosecutorial services,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Ettienne Barnard and Mvuzo Notyesi.
They add: ‘In August this year we called for the process of appointing the new NDPP to be transparent and motivated by the candidate’s commitment to the Constitution, the independence of the prosecutorial institution and accountability to the public. We are confident that the transparent panel process introduced by the President will yield a new head for the National Prosecuting Authority who will tackle the instability in the institution head-on and bring independence, impartiality, accountability, stability and good governance to our prosecutorial services, which are at the heart of our criminal justice system and carry the expectations for justice of the victims of crime in our society.’
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, ETTIENNE BARNARD AND MVUZO NOTYESI
LSSA Communications:
Barbara Whittle – barbara@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 083 380 1307
Ros Elphick – ros@LSSA.org.za Tel: (012) 366 8800 or 083 655 7163
