Legal Aid South Africa
Legal Aid South Africa derives its mandate from s 35 of the Constitution. In terms of this section, every person who is arrested, detained or accused has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right to have a legal practitioner assigned by the State and at State expense. Legal Aid South Africa’s role is to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford their own legal representation. This includes poor people and vulnerable groups such as women, children and the rural poor. Legal Aid SA applies a ‘means test’ to see whether you qualify in terms of what you earn. For example, employed individuals must earn less than R5 500 per month after tax has been taken off to qualify for legal aid.
- Click here to access the Legal Aid South Africa website.
- Click here to view whether you qualify for legal aid from Legal Aid South Africa.