New law will regulate lawyers' tariffs

2012-05-18 12:24

Johannesburg - Draft legislation intended to make legal services affordable for ordinary South Africans by regulating tariffs, will soon be tabled in Parliament, Beeld reported on Friday.

Nonkululeko Sindane, director general of justice and constitutional development, said in Parliament on Thursday that the focus of the legislation would ultimately be the consumers of legal services.

"The current system prevents broader access because of the high costs of lawyers and other legal representatives. The draft legislation will at least give us a starting point to deal with sticking points, so that more people have access to the law."

The draft legislation will make provision for a single national legal practitioners' board for advocates and lawyers.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe said state legal adviser Enver Daniels certified the draft legislation earlier this week.

"Discussions will be held with the existing bodies to finalise decisions about the transfer of employees and assets," Daniels told Beeld.

- SAPA