Welcome to the Law Society of the Northern Provinces

Although members of the public are probably aware of the existence of the Law Society as a regulatory body for attorneys, there is still a lot of ignorance regarding the activities and functions of the Law Society, except perhaps knowledge of the fact that complaints against attorneys can be referred to the Law Society.

It is of course true that the investigation of complaints against attorneys is the better known function of the Law Society, as a lot of publicity is given to the disciplinary functions of the Law Society by the media. In addition to the regulatory (statutory) functions of the Law Society which are directed towards ensuring that attorneys comply with the formal requirements of the Attorneys Act, 1979 (for example the trust monies are dealt with correctly and securely) and the promotion of uniform practice rules and discipline amongst practitioners, the Law Society also offers general services to assist members of the public who make use of the services of attorneys.

Do you for example know that you can as a service offered by the Law Society, request that attorneys fees (accounts) in respect of certain work (normally not civil litigation) be assessed by a committee of the Law Society, if you are not satisfied with an account.

The Law Society also offers a free first consultation scheme in terms of which you can by way of a telephonic enquiry, be referred to an attorney for a half-an-hour consultation for free legal advice. In cases where attorneys may or cannot continue to practise, the Law Society also attends to their practices and offer assistance to members of the public to ensure that their interests are protected and their matters dealt with in a proper manner.

The offices of the Law Society can also provide you with general information relating to the attorneys profession and the administration of justice such as for example attorneys fees, address particulars of attorneys, admission requirements and other important information which will of course include the procedure to be followed to lodge a complaint against an attorney with the Law Society.

The Law Society however is not an attorneys office and cannot assist members of the public by giving legal advice.

Complaints against attorneys are attended to by a experienced professional team of admitted attorneys (Legal Officials) and if there is a complaint against an attorney, such complaint should be referred to the Law Society in writing by way of an affidavit, whereupon the matter will be properly investigated and attended to by the Law Society.

It needs to be mentioned however that the disciplinary authority of the Law Society is limited to the disciplinary sanctioning of attorneys who have acted unprofessionally and that the Law Society does not have authority to make orders on the same basis as a court of law, to compel attorneys to compensate a member of the public in respect of civil damages incurred.

The good standing of an attorney who practises for own account can be determined by establishing whether the attorney is in possession of a valid Fidelity Fund certificate.

The name of the Law Society has in March 2001 been changed to the Law Society of the Northern Provinces and 11 019 practising attorneys are presently members of the Law Society, under its jurisdiction which extends to the Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo Provinces (the former Transvaal Province).

The affairs of the Law Society are managed and controlled by a Council of twenty four elected attorneys who are representative of the historical (statutory) component as well as the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, who are important role players in the legal profession.

The Law Society is situate in Pretoria and its sub-structures consist of four provincial Circle Councils who regulate and co-ordinate the activities of attorneys in the four provinces.

The offices of the Law Society is situate at 123 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria and consists of a total, full-time staff complement of 111members who function under a Director Mr J S Grobler and five Heads of Department

• Ms M V Ferreira: Professional Affairs;
• Mr J van Staden: Members Affairs;
• Ms M Malatji: Disciplinary Department;
• Ms H Bezuidenhout: Communication Unit
• Ms M Piaray: Financial Department

The President and vice presidents for 2011/2012 are:

President of the Law Society           Mr J Janse van Rensburg
Vice President of the Law Society    Mr P B Mabunda (BLA)  
Vice President of the Law Society    Mr S S Madiba (NADEL)
Vice President of the Law Society    Dr L Curlewis 

Further information regarding the Law Society can be obtained from its website at the following address: www.northernlaw.co.za or telephonically at (012) 338 5800.


Mr J S Grobler
DIRECTOR