Cape lawyers must do it free

2003-11-03 22:17

Johan Rheeder

Cape Town - It has become compulsory for members of the Cape Legal Association to do pro bono work for between one and three days a year.

This comes after the legal association recently amended its rules on pro bono work.

The new regulation, which came into effect on October 31, stipulates that advocates and lawyers represent clients for between 24 and 72 hours free of charge.

The Cape association is the first in the country to amend its rules to make pro bono work compulsory.

The association represents the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape.

According to Taswell Papier, the association's president, most members do offer free services. He said this allowed the public access to legal representation.

"There was a need for pro bono work. We will be able to co-ordinate compulsory work a lot better," he said.

- Die Burger