LSSA condemns attack on Johannesburg advocate by members of BLF

‘We join our colleagues from the Johannesburg Bar Council and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the violent attack on an advocate by members of Black First Land First (BLF) movement at the Johannesburg High Court last week. Although we accept the right of political entities and members of the public to protest, violence and destruction can never be condoned,’ say Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) Co-Chairpersons, Mvuzo Notyesi and Ettienne Barnard.

They add: ‘The attack involving the woman advocate is doubly unacceptable having taken place during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Assault is a criminal offence and we urge the authorities to investigate the matter urgently and bring the perpetrators to book. Justice must be done and seen to be done. In addition, we call on the leadership of BLF to condemn the actions of its members. There can be no justification or encouragement for such mob violence.’

The LSSA is deeply concerned at the increasing criminal behaviour in and around court buildings and against legal practitioners. We urge the Office of the Chief Justice to look into the aspect of negotiating upgraded security with the authorities so that members of the public, legal practitioners and judicial officers are safe within court precincts.

Attorneys and advocates are officers of the court. They must be able to practise freely without fear of intimidation, assault or fear for their lives. Legal practitioners must be able to consult freely with their clients and to represent their clients in court to provide effective legal representation. This is a right enshrined in our Constitution. Unwarranted attacks on legal practitioners are unacceptable and threaten our justice system and the rule of law. The United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which guarantee the right of all persons to be assisted by a lawyer to protect their rights and to defend them in all stages of criminal proceedings, state that where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities. The Principles also stress that lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients' causes as a result of discharging their functions.


ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, MVUZO NOTYESI AND ETTIENNE BARNARD
Contact:
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 codemns attack on Johannesburg advocate by BLF members

Law Society codemns attack on Johannesburg advocate by BLF members.…

Law Society press release: Law Society welcomes appointment of Adv Shamila Batohi as NDPP

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) welcomes the appointment of Adv Shamila Batohi as National Director of Public Prosecutions. ‘We are confident that Ms Batohi has the skill, conscientiousness, integrity and independence necessary to tackle the challenge of leading our prosecutorial services, and to ensure a stable directorate that serves the public of South Africa professionally, effectively and fairly, and provides a proud mirror of our criminal justice system to the outside world. We offer the support of the attorneys’ profession to Ms Batohi,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Ettienne Barnard and Mvuzo Notyesi.

We wish again to commend President Cyril Ramaphosa for the transparent and inclusive process which he set out for the applications, nominations, shortlisting and interviews. The profession, and the public in general, were able to follow the rigorous and robust interviews, and form opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.

We also wish to thank Minister Jeff Radebe, who chaired the advisory panel, and all the panel members for their service, especially Richard Scott who represented the LSSA on the panel.


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 welcomes appointment of Adv Shamila Batohi as NDPP

LSSA Press release NDPP 04_12_18

Law Society welcomes appointment of Adv Shamila Batohi as NDPP

Law Society welcomes appointment of Adv Shamila Batohi as NDPP.…

ILFA Flagship Secondment Programme – Application deadline: 12 December 2018

ILFA Flagship Secondment Programme - Application deadline: 12 December 2018

LSSA Advisory: Conveyancers invited to Electronic Deeds Registration System Project engagement with Chief Registrar of Deeds

LSSA Advisory: Conveyancers invited to Electronic Deeds Registration System Project engagement with Chief Registrar of Deeds

Law Society launches independent whistle-blowing channels to report exam leaks.

LSSA Press release whisleblower 15_10_18

Law Society launches independent whistle-blowing channels to report exam leaks

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has appointed an independent law firm to investigate the leakage of the August 2018 Attorneys Admission Examination papers.

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

Legal Practice Council Notice: Election of Provincial Councils: Section 23(4) of the Legal Practice Act, 2014 and (Rule 16)

Legal Practice Council Notice: Election of Provincial Councils: Section 23(4) of the Legal Practice Act, 2014 and (Rule 16)