LAWYERS have warned that the Legal Practice Council’s plans to transform their profession with the draft legal sector code, which is presently up for discussion, contains clauses that could potentially cripple legal practices.
Their biggest concern is the significantly increased number of pro bono hours lawyers must work annually, to be in good standing with the council.
Previously, attorneys and advocates were required to do 24 mandatory hours of pro bono service per annum but the council’s draft code has now suggested 200 hours.
Some lawyers complained that a typical month comprised around 22 working days, therefore, the council’s call to do free duty on three of those days is not practical or economically sustainable.
They also raised that pro bono stipulations were more taxing on smaller practices, including the council’s other proposed adjustments to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment requirements that governed their operations.
Practitioners have until March 15 to voice their concerns.
As a regulatory body, the Legal Practice Council has jurisdiction over legal practitioners, including candidate practitioners, to ensure they enhance and maintain the integrity and status of the profession.