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Compiled by Barbara Whittle, communication manager, Law Society of South Africa, barbara@lssa.org.za

LSSA commits to supporting Office of the Chief Justice and national court enhancement initiatives

Late in November 2013, the LSSA’s Management Committee (Manco) members met with Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and representatives of the Office of the Chief Justice in Johannesburg. The Chief Justice thanked the LSSA for its cooperation in and support of the National Efficiency Enhancement Committee (NEEC), and the provincial committees that were launched in mid-November last year. ‘The judiciary and the profession need to view one another as partners,’ said Chief Justice Mogoeng.

In a press release in mid-November, the LSSA noted that it had participated actively in the NEEC since its inception last year and was committed to supporting the Office of the Chief Justice, the Judges President, the chairperson of the NEEC, Judge Nathan Erasmus, and all the other stakeholders in this critical endeavour to improve the delivery of

justice to members of the public who use the courts and the legal profession to seek redress. Co-chairpersons Kathleen Matolo-Dlepu and David Bekker said: ‘With the assistance of the statutory provincial law societies, the LSSA has committed to –

• exploring effective ways of dealing with attorneys who may appear to be unprepared when appearing in court and with those who habitually request postponements of matters;

• dealing with arrangements between judicial officers, prosecutors and lawyers to postpone cases unnecessarily as a favour to each other, but to the detriment of litigants; and

• monitoring legal fees so that they are affordable to the public.

‘The legal profession is an honourable one and attorneys are bound by strict rules of ethics and professional conduct. Conduct that leads to unnecessary delays and prejudice to litigants, as well as excessive fees – or overreaching – are not tolerated. We believe that such conduct can be eradicated with the assistance of judicial officers and other stakeholders.’

The LSSA also stressed the attorneys’ profession’s ongoing commitment to

access to justice through the provision of pro bono services to indigent members of the public. In addition, the profession is in the process of instituting a ‘First Interview Scheme’ on a national basis. In terms of the scheme, members of the public who did not qualify for pro bono services or legal aid, would be referred to a participating attorney for a first free half-hour consultation. During the consultation, clients receive advice on whether there is merit in the matters they wish to pursue and also receive an indication of the costs*.

At the meeting with the Chief Justice, he indicated that when members of judiciary say or do something unacceptable, the profession should seek a meeting with him so that matters can be discussed and clarified. This could avoid unnecessary public misunderstandings. In addition, the Chief Justice and the LSSA delegation also discussed:

• The importance of modernising the court system and the role of the Office of the Chief Justice and the profession. This included the proper implementation of judicial case management, the investigation of electronic filing and video conferencing for witnesses, as well as an overhaul of court rules.

• More active participation by South African legal practitioners in international tribunals and courts (such as the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice), including nominations to serve as judicial officers and representing claimants on a pro bono basis in human rights abuse cases.

• The role of the profession in exerting pressure within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regarding the re-establishment of the SADC Tribunal.

• The need to prepare, train and mentor legal practitioners for judicial office so that they are properly equipped and prepared when being interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission; the need to mentor female candidates in particular, was stressed, as was the need to ensure that historically disadvantaged practitioners are briefed to appear in the higher courts, including the Constitutional Court.

*Attorneys who wish to be placed on the roster to receive First Interview Scheme instructions should contact their relevant provincial law society.

Legal Practice Bill update

Provincial public hearings on the Legal Practice Bill, 2012 will be scheduled by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in mid-February 2014. At the time of this issue going to print in mid-January, the LSSA was in the process of finalising its submissions to the NCOP. The LSSA submissions, as well as the schedule for NCOP provincial hearings, will be available on the LSSA website at www.LSSA.org.za as they are made available. Practitioners are urged to consult the website for the latest developments on the Bill.

SAJEI training course for aspirant judges to be presented in June 2014

The South African Judicial Training Institute (SAJEI) is presenting a Basic Aspirant Judges Training Course in Johannesburg from 30 June to 3 July 2014. The closing date for applications is 24 February 2014.

Selection criteria

The selection criteria for aspirant judges training are as follows:

• The applicant must be a fit and proper person.

• A minimum period of 10 years’ experience as an attorney, advocate, a judicial officer (including acting appointments) or legal academic and any other relevant capacity.

• A certificate of good standing from statutory bodies and recognised Bar associations. Prosecutors must submit letters of good standing from their employers. Magistrates must submit letters of good standing from the Magistrates Commission.

• Academic qualifications: A law degree recognised in South Africa.

• Evidence of commitment to the transformation of the legal system in promoting the values set out in s 1 of the Constitution.

The selection committee will also consider race and gender, age, as well as previously disadvantaged individuals.

Contact Ms Naledi Soga at the Office of the Chief Justice at e-mail: NaSoga@ocj.gov.za for application forms.

Professional examination dates for 2014

18 February 2014: Admission examination

19 February 2014: Admission examination

7 May 2014: Conveyancing examination

11 June 2014: Notarial examination

12 August 2014: Admission examination

13 August 2014: Admission examination

10 September 2014: Conveyancing examination

8 October 2014: Notarial examination

NB: Candidates should register for the

examinations with their relevant provincial law society.

International Lawyers for Africa placements in London, Dubai or Paris: September 2014

Applications are invited for the 3 months' ILFA advanced training scheme and work experience placements starting in September 2014 in leading law firms or corporate legal departments in London, Dubai or Paris.

International Lawyers for Africa (ILFA) is an award-winning initiative set up by leading law firms and academics in the United Kingdom, which aims to develop African lawyers' legal skills in international relations, trade, finance and dispute resolution. www.ilfa.org.uk

Applications are invited from qualified lawyers:

• working or seeking to work in private practice, commerce or government service; and

• committed to developing their legal skills in international law, commercial law and/or dispute resolution.

For complete candidate specifications, more on the placement and to download the application form: http://www.ilfa.org.uk/apply.php

Applications are to be submitted to the South African ILFA National Committee:

c/o Fiona Kedijang at the Law Society of South Africa at

e-mail: fiona@LSSA.org.za

or by hard copy, delivery to Fiona Kedijang

Law Society of South Africa, 304 Brooks Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria 0081

Deadline for applications: Monday, 3 March 2014.

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