Fees charged by law fraternity comes under scrutiny

The legal fees charged by the lawyers is in the spotlight as a team has been appointed to investigate the matter.

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Advocate Michael Masutha, has appointed an advisory committee to assist the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate and make recommendations on fees charged, Northglen News reports.

More specifically and as required by the Legal Practice Act, 2014, the Committee will investigate and make recommendations on the circumstances that give rise to legal fees that are beyond the affordability of most people.

They will also look into legislative and other interventions in order to improve access to justice by members of the public. The desirability of establishing a mechanism for determining fees and tariffs payable to legal practitioners, the composition of such a mechanism and the process it would follow in determining fees or tariffs also falls under the area of inspection.

The Committee will commence with its work immediately and report to the Minister within a period of 24 months.
In conducting its work, the Committee will consider, among other factors, the public interest, international best practice and the interest of the legal profession.

The South African Law Reform Commission will also convene an international conference on legal fees in Durban from October 31 to 2 November later this year.