Module 1 Flashcards
When did the Legal Practice Act come into effect?
The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014, came into full effect on 1 November 2018
What is the purpose of the Legal Act 28 of 2014?
The purpose of the Act is to ensure that access to legal services becomes a reality for all South Africans not just those who can afford it.
What is the fidelity certificate?
A fluidity fund certificate is a form of insurance for clients, protecting their money if any misconduct was to happen. This fidelity fund can hold money and with a return notice, legal practitioners can withdraw funds from it.
What is the aim of the Legal Practice Act?
The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 aims to provide a legislative framework for the transformation of the legal profession, that reflects the diversity and demographics of the Republic and to consolidate the two professions and various professional bodies
What is the purpose of a fluidity certificate?
Advocates can now take on clients directly if in possession of a fidelity certificate
What is the Law Society of South Africa?
The Law society of South Africa (LLSA) is the body responsible for the Legal education and development (LEAD) division.
How did the legal Practice act remove legal professionals self-governing power?
According to the Act, the South African Legal Practice Council (LPC) is the single governance structure for both attorneys and advocates within the self-regulation in the profession
Who can dissolve the Legal Practice Council and what are the steps needed to do this?
The LPC can be dissolved if the Minister doesn’t feel they can perform their duties, the LPC can respond to the reasons and if the Minister is not satisfied with their response the legal services ombud conducts an audit and gives recommendations on what to do.
Who are the 23 members of the Legal Practice Council?
The LPC comprises of 23 members elected:
- 10 practising attorneys and 6 practising advocates
- 2 teachers of law, including one Dean of the law school
- 3 persons designated by the Minister
- 1 person designated by the Legal Aid South Africa
- 1 person designated by the Legal Practitioners Fidelity fund Board
What are the role of the Legal Practice Council?
The LPC will impose a code of conduct on legal practitioners and deal with misconduct issue relating to legal practitioners
What is an ombudsman?
Legal services ombud a position made by the Act. The ombudsman is a judge discharged from active service, they are completely dependent and don’t have to answer to anyone.
What is the ombudsman’s role?
The Ombudsman’s role is to protect high standards of integrity and prompt independence in the legal profession.
What does the ombudsman have the power to do?
Their power includes investigating any unjustifiable abuse or misadministration according to the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014
What is the cost estimate notice?
The Legal Practice Act requires attorneys and advocates to provide their clients with a cost estimate notice. The cost estimate notice must be in writing and must set out all the tasks that will be undertaken as well as the costs with respect to each task.
What are the requirements to be an attorney admitted into the high court?
- LLB degree
- Attorneys admission exam passed
- Practical vocational work (2 years)
- Attorneys must complete 4 exams
- Community service according to the Legal Service Act (8 hours)
What are attorneys?
- Attorneys are general practitioners who do a large portion of administrative work, most refer cases to advocates for court appearances.
- They are generalised litigators.
Can attorneys speak to clients directly?
They operate with clients directly and don’t usually present a case in court unless they hold an appearance in court certificate.
What is a Copy of the Letter of Authority?
It’s a certificate that allows Attorneys to have a trust account where clients hold their money
What are the requirements to be an advocate?
- LLB degree
- Pupilage (1 year)
- Must do a programme of structured coursework of not less than 400 hours
- Bar examinations must be successfully completed
- Advocate must complete 5 exams
- Community service according to the Legal Service Act (8 hours)
What are advocates?
Advocates appear in court frequently, they are specialist litigators. They draft pleadings, write opinions and appear in court
Can advocates speak directly to clients?
Advocates who possess fidelity fund certificates can be directly approached by clients, without an attorney.
What is the difference between advocates and attorneys?
The main difference between advocates and attorneys is their difference in their nature of work, their qualifications are equal.