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REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA LEGAL PRACTICE BILL - PDF
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1 REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA LEGAL PRACTICE BILL (As presented by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development (National Assembly)) (The English text is the offıcial text of the Bill) (MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT) [B B 12] ISBN No. of copies printed
2 BILL To provide a legislative framework for the transformation and restructuring of the legal profession in line with constitutional imperatives so as to facilitate and enhance an independent legal profession that broadly reflects the diversity and demographics of the Republic; to provide for the establishment, powers and functions of a single South African Legal Practice Council and Provincial Councils in order to regulate the affairs of legal practitioners and to set norms and standards; to provide for the admission and enrolment of legal practitioners; to regulate the professional conduct of legal practitioners so as to ensure accountable conduct; to provide for the establishment of an Office of a Legal Services Ombud and for the appointment, powers and functions of a Legal Services Ombud; to provide for a Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund and a Board of Control for the Fidelity Fund; to provide for the establishment, powers and functions of a National Forum on the Legal Profession; and to provide for matters connected therewith. Preamble WHEREAS section 22 of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution establishes the right to freedom of trade, occupation and profession, and provides that the practice of a trade, occupation or profession may be regulated by law; AND BEARING IN MIND THAT the legal profession is regulated by different laws which apply in different parts of the national territory and, as a result thereof, is fragmented and divided; access to legal services is not a reality for most South Africans; the legal profession is not broadly representative of the demographics of South Africa; opportunities for entry into the legal profession are restricted in terms of the current legislative framework; AND IN ORDER TO provide a legislative framework for the transformation and restructuring of the legal profession into a profession which is broadly representative of the Republic s demographics under a single regulatory body; ensure that the values underpinning the Constitution are embraced and that the rule of law is upheld; ensure that legal services are accessible; regulate the legal profession, in the public interest, by means of a single statute; remove any unnecessary or artificial barriers for entry into the legal profession; strengthen the independence of the legal profession; and ensure the accountability of the legal profession to the public.
3 3 Parliament of the Republic of South Africa enacts as follows: Sections TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 DEFINITIONS, APPLICATION AND PURPOSE OF ACT 1. Definitions 2. Application of Act 3. Purpose of Act CHAPTER 2 SOUTH AFRICAN LEGAL PRACTICE COUNCIL Part 1 Establishment, powers and functions of South African Legal Practice Council 4. Establishment of Council. Objects of Council 6. Powers and functions of Council 7. Composition of Council 8. Membership of Council 9. Chairperson and deputy chairperson of Council. Term of office of members of Council 11. Termination of office 12. Removal from office 13. Vacancies in Council and filling thereof 14. Dissolution of Council Part 2 2 Operation of Council. Meetings of Council 16. Quorum and procedure at meetings of Council 17. Decisions of Council 18. Committees of Council 19. Executive officer and employees of Council. Executive committee of Council 21. Delegation of powers and assignment of functions of Council 22. Finances, expenditure and accountability of Council 23. Establishment of Provincial Councils 3 CHAPTER 3 REGULATION OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND CANDIDATE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS 24. Admission and enrolment 2. Right of appearance of legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners 26. Minimum legal qualifications and practical vocational training 27. Practical vocational training 28. Assessment of practical vocational training 29. Community service. Enrolment with Council 31. Cancellation and suspension of enrolment 32. Conversion of enrolment 4
4 4 33. Authority to render legal services 34. Forms of legal practice 3. Fees in respect of legal services CHAPTER 4 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF DISCIPLINARY BODIES 36. Code of conduct 37. Establishment of disciplinary bodies 38. Procedure for dealing with complaints of misconduct and procedure to be followed in disciplinary hearing 39. Disciplinary hearing. Proceedings after disciplinary hearing and sanctions 41. Appeal against conduct or finding of disciplinary committee 42. Monitoring by Legal Services Ombud 43. Urgent legal proceedings 44. Powers of High Court CHAPTER LEGAL SERVICES OMBUD 4. Establishment of Office of Legal Services Ombud 46. Objects of Ombud 47. Appointment and independence of Ombud 48. Powers and functions of Ombud 49. Term of office of Ombud 0. Acting Ombud and filling of vacancies 1. Staff, finances and accountability of Office of Ombud 2. Annual report 2 CHAPTER 6 LEGAL PRACTITIONERS FIDELITY FUND Part 1 Establishment of Fund and founding provisions 3. Continued existence of Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund 4. Revenue of Fund. Liability of Fund 6. Limitation of liability of Fund 7. Purpose and application of Fund 8. Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund Account 9. Financial year of Fund 60. Fund exempt from certain tax and insurance laws 3 Part 2 Operation of Fund 61. Establishment of Board 62. Composition of Board 63. Powers and functions of Board 64. Membership of Board 6. Chairperson and deputy chairperson of Board 66. Vacancies in Board and filling thereof 67. Term of office of members of Board 68. Termination of office 69. Removal from office 4
5 70. Meetings and resolutions of Board 71. Committees of Board 72. Certificate in respect of liabilities of Fund and investment of money in Fund 73. Annual review by actuary 74. Contributions to Fund by legal practitioners 7. Audit 76. Re-insurance 77. Provision of insurance cover and suretyships Part 3 Claims against Fund 78. Procedure for instituting claims against Fund 79. Actions against Fund 80. Subrogation 81. Claims against future revenue of Fund 82. Indemnification in respect of certain acts 83. Preservation and disposal of records and documents in possession of Board CHAPTER 7 HANDLING OF TRUST MONIES 84. Obligations of legal practitioner relating to handling of trust monies 8. Application for and issue of Fidelity Fund certificates 86. Trust accounts 87. Accounting 88. Trust money and trust property of trust account practice 89. Court may prohibit operation of trust account 90. Appointment of curator bonis in respect of trust account 91. Rights of banks in respect of trust accounts 2 CHAPTER 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS 92. Recovery of costs by attorneys rendering free legal services 93. Offences and penalties CHAPTER 9 REGULATIONS AND RULES 94. Regulations 9. Rules CHAPTER 3 NATIONAL FORUM AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS Part National Forum on Legal Profession 97. Terms of reference of National Forum 98. Powers and functions of National Forum 99. Membership of National Forum 0. Chairperson and deputy chairperson of National Forum 1. Term of office 2. Termination of office 3. Removal from office 4. Vacancies in National Forum and filling thereof. Meetings of National Forum 4
6 6. Quorum and procedure at meetings of National Forum 7. Decisions of National Forum 8. Finances, expenditure and accountability of National Forum 6 Part 2 9. Rules and regulations Part 3 1. Abolition of Fidelity Funds of former TBVC States and transfer of assets, rights, liabilities and obligations to Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund 111. Transitional provisions in relation to existing Attorneys Fidelity Fund Boards of Control 112. Transitional provisions in relation to qualifications 113. Transitional provisions relating to Fidelity Fund certificates 114. Existing advocates, attorneys, conveyancers and notaries 1. Persons entitled to be admitted and enrolled as advocates, attorneys, conveyancers or notaries 116. Pending proceedings 117. Transitional provisions relating to existing law societies and voluntary associations of advocates 118. Interpretation of certain references in laws Part Repeal and amendment of laws and savings 1. Short title and commencement Laws repealed or amended SCHEDULE CHAPTER 1 2 DEFINITIONS, APPLICATION AND PURPOSE OF ACT Definitions 1. In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates Admission of Advocates Act means the Admission of Advocates Act, 1964 (Act No. 74 of 1964); advocate means a legal practitioner who is admitted and enrolled as such under this Act; appeal tribunal means an appeal tribunal established in terms of section 41; assessment means the process under which it is determined whether a candidate legal practitioner has successfully attained the level of competence referred to in section 28; attorney means a legal practitioner who is admitted and enrolled as such under this Act; Attorneys Act means the Attorneys Act, 1979 (Act No. 3 of 1979); Auditor-General means the person appointed as the Auditor-General in terms of section 193 of the Constitution; bank means a bank as defined in section 1 of the Banks Act, 1990 (Act No. 94 of 1990), and registered, otherwise than provisionally, or regarded as having been registered as a bank in terms of Chapter III of that Act; Board means the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund Board established in terms of section 61; candidate attorney means a person undergoing practical vocational training with a view to being admitted and enrolled as an attorney; candidate legal practitioner means a person undergoing practical vocational training, either as a candidate attorney or as a pupil; 3 4 0
7 code of conduct means a written code setting out rules and standards relating to ethics, conduct and practice for legal practitioners and its enforcement through the Council and its structures, which may contain different provisions for advocates and attorneys and different provisions for different categories of legal practitioners; Constitution means the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; conveyancer means any practising attorney who is admitted and enrolled to practise as a conveyancer in terms of this Act; Council means the South African Legal Practice Council established in terms of section 4; court means any court in the Republic as defined in section 166 of the Constitution; Department means the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development; disciplinary body means (a) an investigating committee; (b) a disciplinary committee; or (c) an appeal tribunal, as the case may be; Director-General means the Director-General of the Department; Fidelity Fund certificate means the certificate referred to in section 8; financial year means the financial year of the Fund referred to in section 9; Fund means the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund referred to in section 3; High Court means the High Court of South Africa established by section 6 of the Superior Courts Act, (Act No. of 13), or, if the context indicates otherwise, the Division thereof having jurisdiction; justice centre means an office of Legal Aid South Africa and includes a satellite office; law clinic means a law clinic referred to in section 34(8); Legal Aid South Africa means the Legal Aid Board established in terms of section 2 of the Legal Aid Act, 1969 (Act No. 22 of 1969); legal practitioner means an advocate or attorney admitted and enrolled as such in terms of sections 24 and, respectively; LLB degree means a Bachelor of Laws, also referred to as a degree of baccalaureus legum, referred to in section 26; magistrates court means a regional court or a district court established in terms of the Magistrates Courts Act, 1944 (Act No. 32 of 1944); Minister means the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development; notary means any practising attorney who is admitted and enrolled to practise as a notary in terms of this Act; Ombud means the person appointed by the President as a Legal Services Ombud in terms of section 47; practical vocational training means training required in terms of this Act to qualify as a candidate attorney or pupil in order to be admitted and enrolled as an attorney or advocate; prescribed means prescribed by regulation and prescribe has a corresponding meaning; Provincial Council means a Provincial Council established in terms of section 23; pupil means a person undergoing practical vocational training with a view to being admitted and enrolled as an advocate; Roll means the Roll of Legal Practitioners referred to in section (3); rules (a) means the rules of the Council; (b) for the purposes of sections 48(3)(a) and (d) and 2(1), means the rules of the Legal Services Ombud; and (c) for the purposes of sections 63(1)(e) and (f), means the rules of the Board; South African Human Rights Commission means the South African Human Rights Commission referred to in Chapter 9 of the Constitution; this Act includes any regulation, rule or notice made or issued in terms of this Act; and trust account practice means a practice conducted by (a) (b) 7 one or more attorneys who are; or an advocate referred to in section 34(2)(b) who is, in terms of this Act, required to hold a Fidelity Fund certificate
8 8 Application of Act 2. This Act is applicable to all legal practitioners and all candidate legal practitioners. Purpose of Act 3. The purpose of this Act is to (a) provide a legislative framework for the transformation and restructuring of the legal profession that embraces the values underpinning the Constitution and ensures that the rule of law is upheld; (b) broaden access to justice by putting in place (i) a mechanism to determine fees chargeable by legal practitioners for legal services rendered that are within the reach of the citizenry; (ii) measures to provide for the rendering of community service by candidate legal practitioners and practising legal practitioners; and (iii) measures that provide equal opportunities for all aspirant legal practitioners in order to have a legal profession that broadly reflects the demographics of the Republic; (c) create a single unified statutory body to regulate the affairs of all legal practitioners and all candidate legal practitioners in pursuit of the goal of an accountable, efficient and independent legal profession; (d) protect and promote the public interest; (e) provide for the establishment of an Office of Legal Services Ombud; (f) provide a fair, effective, efficient and transparent procedure for the resolution of complaints against legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners; and (g) create a framework for the (i) development and maintenance of appropriate professional and ethical norms and standards for the rendering of legal services by legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners; (ii) regulation of the admission and enrolment of legal practitioners; and (iii) development of adequate training programmes for legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners. CHAPTER 2 2 SOUTH AFRICAN LEGAL PRACTICE COUNCIL Part 1 Establishment, powers and functions of South African Legal Practice Council Establishment of Council 4. The South African Legal Practice Council is hereby established as a body corporate with full legal capacity, and exercises jurisdiction over all legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners as contemplated in this Act. 3 Objects of Council. The objects of the Council are to (a) facilitate the realisation of the goal of a transformed and restructured legal profession that is accountable, efficient and independent; (b) ensure that fees charged by legal practitioners for legal services rendered are reasonable and promote access to legal services, thereby enhancing access to justice; (c) promote and protect the public interest; 4 (d) regulate all legal practitioners and all candidate legal practitioners; (e) preserve and uphold the independence of the legal profession; (f) enhance and maintain the integrity and status of the legal profession; (g) determine, enhance and maintain appropriate standards of professional practice and ethical conduct of all legal practitioners and all candidate legal practitioners; 0
9 (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) 9 promote high standards of legal education and training, and compulsory post-qualification professional development; promote access to the legal profession, in pursuit of a legal profession that broadly reflects the demographics of the Republic; ensure accessible and sustainable training of law graduates aspiring to be admitted and enrolled as legal practitioners; uphold and advance the rule of law, the administration of justice, and the Constitution of the Republic; and give effect to the provisions of this Act in order to achieve the purpose of this Act, as set out in section 3. Powers and functions of Council 6. (1) (a) In order to achieve its objects referred to in section, and, having due regard to the Constitution, applicable legislation and the inputs of the Ombud and Parliament, the Council may (i) acquire or hire movable or immovable property; (ii) develop, hypothecate, let, sell or otherwise dispose of its movable or immovable property; (iii) make donations and grants in support of projects related to its objects; (iv) perform any act relating to its financial affairs as may be necessary; (v) institute or defend legal proceedings on behalf of the Council; (vi) impose monetary penalties; (vii) invest Council funds; (viii) borrow or raise money; (ix) (x) (xi) (xii) (xiii) (xiv) insure against any risk; delegate any of its powers and functions to its committees or Provincial Councils, subject to any conditions it may impose, which delegation does not (aa) divest the Council of the power or function so delegated; and (bb) preclude the Council from varying or setting aside any decision made under a delegation; provide financial support to organisations or institutions providing legal education and training, including legal education and training for purposes of compulsory post-qualification professional development, with the object of enhancing the standards of legal services and increasing access to justice; provide financial support to legal practitioners, organisations or institutions for the purposes of providing work-place training opportunities for candidate legal practitioners; provide financial support to non-profit organisations and institutions promoting access to justice for poor people; and pay for services rendered at the request of the Council with the object of enhancing the professional standards of legal practitioners. (b) In order to achieve its objects referred to in section, and having due regard to the Constitution, applicable legislation and the inputs of the Ombud and Parliament, the Council must (i) develop norms and standards to guide the conduct of legal practitioners, candidate legal practitioners and the legal profession; (ii) advise the Minister with regard to matters concerning the legal profession and legal practice; (iii) do all things necessary for the proper and effective performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers; (iv) pay out of pocket expenses to Council members; and (v) develop programmes in order to empower historically disadvantaged legal practitioners, as well as candidate legal practitioners. (2) The Council, in order to perform its functions properly (a) (b) must employ an executive officer and such officials or staff as may be necessary to enable it to carry out its functions and determine the remuneration and other conditions of service of its officials and staff; may establish, promote, arrange, administer or assist in the establishment, promotion, arrangement or administration of insurance, medical-aid, pension, provident or benevolent schemes for the benefit of its officials and staff and the dependants of such officials and staff;
10 (c) may conclude agreements with any person or organisation for the performance of any particular act or particular work or the rendering of particular services for the purposes of furthering the objects of the Council; (d) may enter into contracts in connection with the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers; (e) may pay an honorarium or an allowance to any person to cover expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any act performed at the request of the Council or in terms of its directions on behalf of or for the benefit of the Council and the furtherance of its objects; and (f) may publish or cause to be published periodicals, pamphlets and other printed material for the benefit of legal practitioners or the public. (3) The Council must, subject to this Act (a) enrol a duly admitted legal practitioner as such; and (b) keep a Roll of legal practitioners and decide on (i) the form of the certificates and the Roll to be kept; (ii) the maintenance of the Roll or issuing of certificates; and (iii) the reviewing of the Roll and the manner in which alterations may be made to the Roll. (4) The Council must, in the rules, with regard to fees and charges which are payable to the Council, determine (a) (b) application fees as provided for in this Act; annual fees, or portion thereof, in respect of a part of a year, payable to the Council by legal practitioners for Fidelity Fund certificates: Provided that any determination made in terms of this paragraph must be made in consultation with the Board; (c) annual fees payable by all legal practitioners who are admitted and enrolled in terms of section 24(1) as practising legal practitioners; (d) the date on which any fee is payable; (e) the fees, or portion thereof, payable in respect of any examination conducted by the Council or on behalf of the Council; and (f) any other fee or charge it considers necessary, as contemplated in this Act. () The Council, with regard to education in law and legal practice generally (a) may, subject to sections and 7 of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 1 of 1997), conduct visits to any educational institution which has a department, school or faculty of law; (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) may advise the Council on Higher Education established in terms of the Higher Education Act, 1997, regarding matters relevant to education in law, including the desirability of including in the LLB curriculum a form of community service to be undertaken by all law students; may consult with the South African Qualifications Authority established by the National Qualifications Framework Act, 08 (Act No. 67 of 08), or any structure established by it, to determine competency standards for the purposes of registration; may conduct any examination for the purposes of practical vocational training; may determine, after consultation with relevant role-players and legal practitioners in general, conditions relating to the nature and extent of continuing education and training, including compulsory post-qualification professional development; must, in the prescribed manner, create a mechanism to (i) provide appropriate legal education and training, having due regard to our inherited legacy and new constitutional dispensation; and (ii) offer legal education and training to aspiring and newly appointed legal practitioners, as well as continued training for experienced legal practitioners; may accredit training institutions that offer (i) practical vocational training courses which contribute towards the qualification of legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners; and (ii) compulsory post-qualification professional development; must report annually to the Minister on (i) the number of new candidate legal practitioners registered as such in terms of section 27 and the number of new legal practitioners enrolled with the Council in terms of section ;
11 (i) 11 (ii) the effectiveness of the training requirements for entry into the profession; (iii) measures adopted to enhance entry into the profession, including the remuneration of candidate legal practitioners and continuing legal education to develop skills of legal practitioners; and (iv) progress made on the implementation of the programmes contemplated in subsection (1)(b)(v) to empower historically disadvantaged legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners, and the Council may make recommendations to the Minister regarding legislative and other interventions to improve access to the profession and access to justice broadly and the Minister must thereupon table that report in Parliament; and must, at the request of the Minister, advise the Minister on multi-disciplinary legal practices which the Minister may consider for the purposes of developing policies and legislative and other interventions in respect of multi-disciplinary legal practices. Composition of Council 7. (1) The Council consists of the following members: (a) 16 legal practitioners, comprising of practising attorneys and six practising advocates, elected in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Minister (i) in terms of section 97(1)(a)(i); or (ii) in terms of this section, in consultation with the Council, if the procedure referred to in subparagraph (i) requires revision after the commencement of Chapter 2; 2 (b) two teachers of law, one being a dean of a faculty of law at a university in the Republic and the other being a teacher of law, designated in the prescribed manner; (c) subject to subsection (3), three fit and proper persons designated by the Minister, who, in the opinion of the Minister and by virtue of their knowledge and experience, are able to assist the Council in achieving its objects; (d) one person designated by Legal Aid South Africa; and (e) one person designated by the Board, who need not necessarily be a legal practitioner. (2) When constituting the Council the following factors must, as far as is practicable, 3 be taken into account: (a) the racial and gender composition of South Africa; (b) the objects of the Council; (c) representation of persons with disabilities; (d) provincial representation; and (e) experience and knowledge of (i) the provision of legal services; (ii) the principles of promoting access to justice; (iii) legal education and training; (iv) consumer affairs; 4 (v) civil and criminal proceedings and the functioning of the courts and tribunals in general; (vi) the maintenance of professional standards of persons who provide legal services; (vii) the handling of complaints; and 0 (viii) competition law. (3) A person referred to subsection (1)(c) may not be designated as a member of the Council if he or she (a) is a public servant; (b) is a member of Parliament, any provincial legislature or any municipal council; or (c) is an office-bearer or employee of any party, movement or organisation of a party-political nature.
12 12 Membership of Council 8. (1) A member of the Council must (a) be a South African citizen; (b) be a fit and proper person; and (c) subscribe to the objects of the Council. (2) The following persons are disqualified from becoming or remaining members of the Council: (a) An unrehabilitated insolvent; (b) a person declared to be of unsound mind by a court of the Republic; (c) a person who has been convicted in a court of first instance (i) of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine; or (ii) of an offence, which involves any element of dishonesty, either in the Republic, or outside the Republic if the conduct constituting the offence would have been an offence in the Republic, other than a conviction for an offence committed prior to 27 April 1994 associated with political objectives: Provided that if the person in question lodges an appeal against the conviction or sentence, he or she must be suspended from office by the Council as contemplated in section 12, pending the outcome of the appeal: Provided further that he or she may be replaced by the designating body, or in the case of a member referred to in section 7(1)(a), elected in terms of the procedure referred to in that section; (d) a person who has been removed from office in terms of section 12; or (e) a member of the Board or any of its committees. Chairperson and deputy chairperson of Council 9. (1) At the first meeting of the Council, the members of the Council must elect and appoint a chairperson and deputy chairperson from among themselves. (2) The chairperson and the deputy chairperson hold office for a period of three years from the date of their election and may be re-elected and re-appointed for one further term, unless such chairperson or deputy chairperson resigns or ceases to be a member of the Council. (3) The deputy chairperson must, if the chairperson is absent or is for any reason unable to act as chairperson, perform all the functions and exercise all the powers of the chairperson. (4) If both the chairperson and deputy chairperson are absent from any meeting, the members present must elect a person from among themselves to preside at that meeting and the person so presiding must, during that meeting and until the chairperson or deputy chairperson resumes duty, perform all the functions and exercise all the powers of the chairperson. () If both the chairperson and deputy chairperson have been given leave of absence, the members of the Council must elect a person from among themselves to act as chairperson until the chairperson or deputy chairperson resumes duty or is removed from office in terms of section 12. (6) If the office of chairperson or deputy chairperson becomes vacant, the members of the Council must, at the first meeting thereafter or as soon as possible thereafter, elect from among themselves a new chairperson or deputy chairperson, as the case may be. (7) A chairperson and deputy chairperson may vacate office as such, without relinquishing his or her membership of the Council, unless his or her membership has been terminated in accordance with section 11. Term of office of members of Council A member of the Council holds office for a term of three years, but may serve as a member for one further term if he or she is again so elected or designated, as the case may be. Termination of office 11. (1) A person ceases to be a member of the Council when that person (a) is no longer eligible in terms of section 8 to be a member;
13 13 (b) resigns; (c) is removed from office in terms of section 12; (d) in the case of a legal practitioner referred to in section 7(1)(a), ceases to be a practising legal practitioner, for whatever reason; or (e) is appointed as a judicial officer. (2) A member may resign after giving at least three months written notice to the Council, but the Council may, on good cause shown, accept a shorter period. Removal from office 12. (1) The Council may remove a member of the Council from office on account of (a) a finding by a disciplinary committee in terms of section of any serious misconduct as set out in the code of conduct contemplated in section 36 on the part of a legal practitioner; (b) incapacity or incompetency which, in the opinion of the Council, debars him or her from serving as a member of the Council; (c) absence from three consecutive meetings of the Council without the permission of the chairperson, except on good cause shown; (d) a request by the body which or person who elected or designated that member in terms of section 7, on good cause shown by the body or person in question; or (e) his or her becoming disqualified to remain as a member of the Council as contemplated in section 8(2). (2) If the Council has commenced proceedings for the removal of a member, it may suspend that member from office. (3) A member who is suspended from office may not perform or exercise any of the powers or functions of that office or receive any allowances. (4) The Council must follow due process of law if it intends to remove or suspend a member from office, as determined by the Council in the rules. 2 Vacancies in Council and filling thereof 13. (1) A vacancy in the Council occurs when (a) the term of office of a member expires or terminates as contemplated in section 11; (b) a member dies; (c) a member is removed from office as contemplated in section 12; or (d) the resignation of a member takes effect. (2) A vacancy must be filled as soon as practicably possible in accordance with the provisions of section 7. (3) Any person appointed to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired portion of the term of the vacating member. (4) No decision taken by the Council or act performed under the authority of the Council is invalid merely by reason of a vacancy on the Council, if the decision was taken or the act was authorised, subject to sections 16 and Dissolution of Council 14. (1) If the Minister loses confidence in the ability of the Council to perform its functions effectively and efficiently, the Minister must (a) provide the Council with his or her reasons; 4 (b) give the Council a reasonable opportunity to respond to those reasons; and (c) afford the Council a hearing on any submissions received. (2) If, after taking the steps provided for in subsection (1), the Minister still does not have confidence in the ability of the Council to perform its functions effectively and efficiently, he or she must request the Ombud to conduct an investigation and make 0 recommendations to him or her. (3) If, after receiving the recommendations from the Ombud as contemplated in subsection (2), the Minister still has concerns in the ability of the Council to perform its functions effectively and efficiently, and the Minister is of the view that it is in the best interests of the administration of justice that the Council be dissolved, he or she must, in order to do so, approach the High Court with an application for an order dissolving the Council, together with any terms or conditions that the court deems appropriate.
14 14 (4) (a) If the Minister dissolves the Council pursuant to a court order contemplated in subsection (3), the Minister must, having regard to the provisions of section 7, appoint an interim Council, consisting of at least seven persons and give effect to any conditions or terms contained in the court order. (b) The interim Council must be appointed within 21 days after the dissolution of the Council and must be appointed for a period determined by the Minister or the court, which period may not exceed six months. () (a) The Minister must from among the members of the interim Council designate a chairperson of the interim Council. (b) The interim Council must elect a deputy chairperson from among its members and the deputy chairperson holds office for such period as the interim Council may determine at the time of his or her election. (6) The chairperson of the interim Council may, at any time of his or her own accord, or must, at the written request of not fewer than five members, convene a special meeting of the interim Council. (7) Five members of the interim Council form a quorum for a meeting of the interim Council. (8) Sections, 16, 17, 18, and 21 apply with the necessary changes required by the context in respect of the interim Council. Part 2 Operation of Council Meetings of Council. (1) The Council must hold at least four meetings in each year at venues to be determined by the Council and may, in addition, hold any further meetings as the Council may determine. (2) The Council must meet as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members. 2 Quorum and procedure at meetings of Council 16. (1) The majority of the members of the Council constitutes a quorum at any meeting of the Council. (2) The Council must in the rules determine a procedure for convening meetings and the procedure for the conduct of meetings. (3) The Council must keep a record of its proceedings. Decisions of Council 17. (1) A decision of the majority of the members of the Council constitutes a decision of the Council. (2) In the event of a deadlock in the voting the chairperson has a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote. 3 Committees of Council 18. (1) The Council may (a) establish one or more committees, consisting of (i) members of the Council only; or (ii) members of the Council and any other suitable persons except employees of the Council, to assist the Council in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions; and 4 (b) dissolve a committee at any time. (2) The Council (a) must determine the powers and functions of a committee; (b) must appoint a member of a committee as chairperson of such committee; (c) may, after complying with due process of law, remove a member of a committee at any time; and 0
15 (d) may determine a committee s procedure. (3) The Council must, in the rules, determine the procedure for the conduct of meetings of a committee. Executive officer and employees of Council 19. (1) The Council must appoint an executive officer for the Council, who is the accounting officer of the Council. (2) The executive officer must, in addition to such function as may be assigned to him or her in terms of this Act (a) perform or exercise any powers and functions assigned to him or her by the Council; (b) supervise the employees of the Council; and (c) account for the assets and liabilities of the Council. (3) The Council may appoint any other employees it deems necessary to assist the executive officer in the performance of his or her functions. (4) The procedure for the appointment of the executive officer and other employees of the Council must be determined by the Council in terms of the rules. () The need for the staff of the Council to reflect the racial and gender composition of South Africa must, as far as is practicable, be considered when the executive officer and other employees of the Council are appointed in terms of this section. (6) The Council must, in the rules, determine the conditions of service of the executive officer and the other employees of the Council. Executive committee of Council. (1) The Council must establish an executive committee and determine its powers and functions in the rules. (2) The executive committee consists of (a) the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Council; and (b) five other members appointed by the Council. (3) The need for the executive committee to reflect (a) (b) the racial and gender composition of South Africa; and representation of attorneys and advocates, as well as provincial representation, must, as far as is practicable, be considered when the executive committee is established in terms of subsection (1). (4) The executive committee is responsible for the day to day functioning and administration of the Council in between meetings of the Council. () The Council may direct the executive committee to perform such tasks as executive committee considers appropriate. (6) A member of the executive committee holds office for so long as he or she is a member of the Council, unless he or she is removed as a member of the executive committee by the Council, or until his or her membership of the Council terminates in terms of this Act. (7) (a) The chairperson of the Council is ex offıcio chairperson of the executive committee. (b) The deputy chairperson of the Council is ex offıcio deputy chairperson of the executive committee. (8) The executive committee may meet as often as it deems necessary and dispose of its business in the manner it considers appropriate. (9) (a) The majority of the members of the executive committee constitutes a quorum at any of its meetings. (b) The executive committee must determine a procedure in the rules for convening meetings and the procedure for the conduct of meetings. (c) The executive committee must keep a record of its proceedings. (d) A decision of the majority of the members present at a meeting constitutes the decision of the executive committee. (e) In the event of a deadlock in the voting the chairperson has a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote
16 Delegation of powers and assignment of functions of Council (1) The Council may resolve to delegate any of its powers or assign any of its functions to (a) a member of the Council; (b) a committee of the Council; (c) the executive committee; (d) a Provincial Council; or (e) the executive officer or an employee of the Council. (2) A delegation or assignment in terms of subsection (1) (a) is subject to any conditions and directions as the Council may impose; and (b) does not divest the Council of the responsibility for the exercise of the power or the performance of the duty or function. (3) The Council may confirm, vary or revoke any decision taken in consequence of a delegation or assignment, but no variation or revocation of a decision may detract from any rights that may have accrued as a result of the decision. Finances, expenditure and accountability of Council 22. (1) The funds of the Council consist of (a) fees, including subscription fees payable in terms of this Act; (b) an annual appropriation made by the Fund, the amount of which is determined by the Board after consultation with the Council; and (c) any other monies received by the Council in terms of this Act or accruing to the Council from any other source. (2) Expenditure incidental to the exercise of the powers or the performance of the functions of the Council in terms of this Act or any other law must be defrayed from the funds of the Council. (3) The executive officer (a) must deposit all monies received by the Council with a bank approved by the Council; (b) may invest any monies of the Council which are not required for immediate use with a bank approved by the Council or in such other manner as the Council may determine in the rules; (c) is charged with the responsibility of accounting for money received or paid (d) out for or on account of the Council; and must cause the necessary accounting and other related records to be kept, including proper records of all the assets and liabilities of the Council. (4) The records referred to in subsection (3)(d) must be audited by a registered accountant and auditor appointed by the Council. 2 3 Establishment of Provincial Councils 23. (1) The Council must, subject to subsection (2) and progressively, establish a Provincial Council in every province of the Republic and may delegate to the Provincial Councils such powers and functions which, in the interests of the legal profession are better performed at provincial level. (2) (a) The Council must, at the commencement of Chapter 2, establish at least four Provincial Councils and the following factors must be taken into account: (i) There may not be more than one Provincial Council per province; 4 (ii) the location of the seats of the Divisions of the High Court; (iii) the efficient attainment of the Council s objects; (iv) availability of resources, cost-effectiveness and feasibility; (v) the interests of legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners; (vi) provincial needs, interests and sensitivities; and 0 (vii) the interests of the public. (b) The Minister must prescribe the areas of jurisdiction of the Provincial Councils in consultation with the Council. (c) If a Provincial Council has not been established in a specific province the Council must determine under which Provincial Council that province falls. (3) The Provincial Councils must carry out any powers and perform any functions as may be determined by the Council or set out in this Act.
17 17 (4) Provincial Councils must be elected in accordance with a procedure determined by the Council in the rules. () Provincial Councils must be constituted in such a manner so as to reflect the proportion of attorneys and advocates in the area of jurisdiction of the Provincial Council concerned. (6) A Provincial Council may establish one or more committees to assist it in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its functions. (7) A committee contemplated in subsection (6) may consist of only attorneys or only advocates to deal with matters relating exclusively to the attorneys or advocates professions, respectively. CHAPTER 3 REGULATION OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND CANDIDATE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS Admission and enrolment 24. (1) A person may only practise as a legal practitioner if he or she is admitted and enrolled to practise as such in terms of this Act. (2) The High Court must admit to practise and authorise to be enrolled as a legal practitioner, conveyancer or notary or any person who, upon application, satisfies the court that he or she (a) is duly qualified as set out in section 26; (b) is a (i) South African citizen; or (ii) permanent resident in the Republic; (c) (d) is a fit and proper person to be so admitted; and has served a copy of the application on the Council, containing the information as determined in the rules within the time period determined in the rules. (3) Subject to subsection (1), the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister of Trade and Industry and after consultation with the Council, and having regard to any relevant international commitments of the Government of the Republic, make regulations in respect of admission and enrolment to (a) (b) determine the right of foreign legal practitioners to appear in courts in the Republic and to practise as legal practitioners in the Republic; or give effect to any mutual recognition agreement to which the Republic is a party, regulating (i) the provision of legal services by foreign legal practitioners; or (ii) the admission and enrolment of foreign legal practitioners. 2 3 Right of appearance of legal practitioners and candidate legal practitioners 2. (1) Any person who has been admitted and enrolled to practise as a legal practitioner in terms of this Act, is entitled to practise throughout the Republic, unless his or her name has been ordered to be struck off the Roll or he or she is subject to an order suspending him or her from practising. (2) A legal practitioner, whether practising as an advocate or an attorney, has the right to appear on behalf of any person in any court in the Republic or before any board, tribunal or similar institution, subject to subsections (3) and (4) or any other law. (3) An attorney who wishes to appear in the High Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal or the Constitutional Court must apply to the registrar of the Division of the High Court in which he or she was admitted and enrolled as an attorney for a prescribed certificate to the effect that the applicant has the right to appear in the High Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal or the Constitutional Court and which the registrar must issue if he or she is satisfied that the attorney (a) (i) has been practising as an attorney for a continuous period of not less than three years: Provided that this period may be reduced in accordance with rules made by the Council if the attorney has undergone a trial advocacy training programme approved by the Council as set out in the Rules; (ii) is in possession of an LLB degree; and 4 0
18 18 (b) (iii) has not had his or her name struck off the Roll or has not been suspended from practice or that there are no proceedings pending to strike the applicant s name from the Roll or to suspend him or her; or has gained appropriate relevant experience, as may be prescribed by the Minister in consultation with the Council, if the attorney complies with paragraph (a)(iii). (4) (a) An attorney wishing to apply for a certificate contemplated in subsection (3) must serve a copy of the application on the Council, containing the information as determined in the rules within the time period determined in the rules. (b) A registrar of a Division of the High Court who issues a certificate referred to in subsection (3) must immediately submit a certified copy thereof to the Council. () (a) A candidate attorney is, subject to paragraph (b), entitled to appear (i) (ii) in any court, other than the High Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal or the Constitutional Court; and before any board, tribunal or similar institution on behalf of any person, instead of and on behalf of the person under whose supervision he or she is undergoing his or her practical vocational training. (b) A candidate attorney may only appear in a regional division established under section 2 of the Magistrates Courts Act, 1944 (Act No.32 of 1944), as contemplated in paragraph (a) if he or she has previously practised as an advocate for at least one year or has undergone at least one year of practical vocational training. Minimum qualifications and practical vocational training 26. (1) A person qualifies to be admitted and enrolled as a legal practitioner, if that person has (a) satisfied all the requirements for the LLB degree obtained at any university registered in the Republic, after pursuing for that degree (i) a course of study of not less than four years; or (ii) a course of study of not less than five years if the LLB degree is preceded by a bachelor s degree other than the LLB degree, as determined in the rules of the university in question and approved by the Council; or (b) subject to section 24(2)(b), satisfied all the requirements for a law degree obtained in a foreign country, which is equivalent to the LLB degree and recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority established by the National Qualifications Framework Act, 08 (Act No. 67 of 08); and (c) undergone all the practical vocational training requirements as a candidate legal practitioner prescribed by the Minister, including (i) community service as contemplated in section 29, and (ii) a legal practice management course for candidate legal practitioners who intend to practise as attorneys or as advocates referred to in section 34(2)(b); and (d) passed a competency-based examination or assessment for candidate legal practitioners as may be determined in the rules. (2) An attorney qualifies to be enrolled as a conveyancer, if he or she has passed a competency-based examination or assessment of conveyancers as determined in the rules by the Council. (3) An attorney qualifies to be enrolled as a notary, if he or she has passed a competency-based examination or assessment for notaries as determined in the rules by the Council Practical vocational training 27. (1) The Council must in the rules, determine the minimum conditions and procedures for the registration and administration of practical vocational training. (2) The rules contemplated in subsection (1) must regulate the payment of remuneration, allowances or stipends to all candidate legal practitioners, including the minimum amount payable. Assessment of practical vocational training (1) The Council must, in the rules, determine a procedure and issue directions pertaining to the assessment of persons undergoing practical vocational training.
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA LEGAL PRACTICE AMENDMENT BILL (As amended by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services) (The English text is the offcial text of the Bill) (MINISTER OF JUSTICE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS LAWS AMENDMENT BILL, 2017 BILL
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS LAWS AMENDMENT BILL, 17 [] GENERAL EXPLANATORY NOTE: [ ] Words in bold type in square brackets indicate omissions from existing enactments. Words underlined with a solid line