Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - The government has sent legislation to
parliament to set limits on how much lawyers can charge their clients in a bid
to lower fees and increase access to legal services for the bulk of the
population, an official said on Friday.
The legal practice bill calls for setting up a 21-member
board that includes attorneys, academics and justice ministry appointees to
draw up regulations and fee structures.
The ANC holds a strong majority
in parliament and can easily push through its high-priority legislation.
“(The bill) opens doors of access to the profession and guarantees
accessible legal services, by creating a framework for the determination of
reasonable and affordable fees,” Justice Minister Jeffrey Radebe told
parliament this week.
Public interest groups have said the costs of legal services
are soaring to levels that place them out of reach of the poor, who make up the
majority of the population.
The legislation is expected to face stiff opposition from
legal professionals, a justice ministry official said.
“When it becomes law, you will see the true colour of self-interest clothed in the robes of constitutionalism,” Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel told a law students’ forum earlier this month.
