Getting legal assistance - Law Society SA

Attorneys are legal professionals who have the relevant knowledge and skills to provide legal advice. When consulting an attorney, the attorney will listen to the prospective client, explain his/her reasonable fee structure in simple and understandable terms and give an indication of how he/she expects the matter to proceed once the client has appointed the attorney.If you cannot afford the services of an attorney there are various options:

• Legal Aid South Africa

• Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys

• The First Interview Scheme: First free interview with an attorney

Extract above from lssa.org.za

Legal Aid South Africa

We provide professional legal advice and representation to those who can’t afford it.

Legal aid for individuals

If you are employed, you must earn less than R5,500.00 per month after tax has been taken off.

Legal aid for households

households that earn less than R6,000.00 per month

Cases you can get legal aid for Legal aid is available for the following legal issues, including:

• Criminal offences

• Consumer issues (Consumer Protection Act)

• Contract law

• Debt issues (National Credit Act)

• Deceased estates

• Equality Court Cases (Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000. But personal damages claims that are excluded under this Guide may not be dealt with as part of an equality court action or claim.)

• Problems accessing payment of benefits

• Employment claims, such as unfair dismissal or discrimination

• Separation, divorce or disputes about children

• Actions against the police, such as wrongful arrest

• Challenging the decision of a local authority

• Housing, such as threatened eviction

• Threatened evictions from farms

• Mental health, such as legal advice if you’re detained in a mental hospital

• Domestic violence

• Any case where your rights have been violated

Extract above from legal-aid.co.za

Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys - Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo - northernlaw.co.za

The Rules of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces determine that all members must render at least twenty four hours of Pro Bono service per calendar year.

Pro bono legal services are legal services that are rendered free of charge. The client is only responsible for the cost of disbursements, such as sheriff’s fees. The attorney charges no fees.

Members of the public can apply for assistance under the Pro Bono Scheme, providing that they meet certain requirements.

Extract above from northernlaw.co.za

Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys - Western, Eastern and Northern Cape - Cape Law Society

The Pro Bono Initiative of the Society is regulated by  of the Society’s Rules and currently, members have an obligation to render at least 24 hours of pro bono services and in doing so must have regard to the definition of what constitute “Pro Bono services” and the “Recognised Structures” requests to assist an indigent member of the public or indigent non government organisation (Recognised Structures within the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape).

Anyone wishing to apply for pro bono assistance is required to complete the Society's pro bono application form; in order for the Society to determine whether pro bono assistance may be rendered.

Extract above from capelawsoc.law.za

Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys - KwaZulu-Natal : KwaZulu-Natal Law Society

In order to improve access to justice and legal services the Rules of the KwaZulu Natal Law Society require all members to provide not less than twenty four hours of Pro Bono service per calendar year to indigent person. People can apply for assistance provided that they meet certain requirements (a means test is applied – see application forms below). Eligible non-profit or non-government organisations can also apply.

Pro bono legal services means legal services provided free of charge. The attorney will charge no fees for the service rendered. The client will only be responsible for the cost of disbursements, such as sheriff’s fees, etc.

Services rendered in terms of the Pro Bono Scheme include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Civil litigation, which includes High Court as well as Magistrate’s Court litigation;

2. Family law/ matrimonial matters, including divorce matters, maintenance matters,   primary care, residence and access;

3. Labour law matters, including appearances at the CCMA or other bargaining councils as well as Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court matters;

4. Deceased estates and matters relating thereto;

5. Insolvency, including debt counselling;

6. Property law and matters relating thereto;

7. Constitutional matters; and

8. Law of contracts.

Extract above from lawsoc.co.za

Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys - Free State - The Law Society of the Free State

Pro Bono Services shall include, but not limited to, the delivery of advice, opinion or assistance in matters, falling within the professional competence of an attorney, conveyancer and notary, to facilitate access to justice for those who cannot afford to pay, through recognised structures, approved in terms of sub-rule 24.3 and identified in terms of sub-rule 24.4.

Extract above from fs-law.co.za

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Extract from freelegaldocs.co.za