South Africa
We represent clients from all around the world in South Africa every year. We see the globe as having no borders and are unafraid of language hurdles or time zones.
LegaMart Lawyers in South Africa
Legal Industry in South Africa
South Africa maintains its status as a major legal hub for sub-Saharan Africa. Despite difficulties elsewhere in the energy industry – notably difficulties with state-owned utility Eskom’s financial state and large dependence on coal-fired generation – legal work in the sector is thriving, with Round 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) fully underway. In the mining space, ESG is becoming an increasing focus with institutional investors increasingly demanding that mining firms consider mining communities and sustainable mining practices. Regarding the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), delistings of small to medium-sized companies are continuing with few new listings being observed.South Africa’s legal market includes several international law firms, notably Allen & Overy (South Africa) LLP, DLA Piper Advisory Services (pty) Ltd , Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc , Baker McKenzie Johannesburg, Clyde & Co LLP, CMS South Africa, Hogan Lovells (South Africa), White & Case LLP, Pinsent Masons LLP and Herbert Smith Freehills South Africa LLP. Local firms including Bowmans and ENSafrica are also strong, having built strong reputations across South Africa and the African continent. Other key local firms include Webber Wentzel, Werksmans Attorneys and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.
Articles about Law in South Africa
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Most common legal demands in South Africa
Legal Market Overview in South Africa
South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 and transitioned to a constitutional democracy in 1994, is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources, such as gold, platinum, and diamonds. It has well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors. Currently, South Africa’s stock exchange is the 17th largest in the world and the largest in Africa by market capitalisation. Its currency is the rand (ZAR). South Africa has 11 official languages, including English, and three capitals: Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative).
South Africa has a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centres throughout the region.
Following a substantial slowdown in economic growth resulting from the global financial crisis of 2007/08 (South Africa experienced negative growth of nearly 2% in 2009), the South African economy experienced a muted recovery, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth peaking at 2.2% in 2013. Subsequent to 2013, growth again slowed (with GDP growth of only 1.5%, 1.3%, and 0.3% in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively). Although there was a modest improvement in domestic growth to 1.3% in 2017, growth for 2018 and 2019 was again subdued at 0.8% and 0.2%, respectively. In 2020, GDP shrank by 6.4% in real terms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth, however, recovered moderately in 2021 to 4.9%.
The Monetary Policy Committee of the SARB has a targeted inflation band of 3% to 6%. In April 2022, the year-on-year inflation rate measured 5.9%.
There are currently some 29 981 practising attorneys and 5 483 candidate attorneys in South Africa. Attorneys are officers of the court and are registered on the roll of attorneys at the Legal Practice Council.
An overview of the attorneys’ profession
(As at January 2022)
Total attorneys | 29 981 | |
White attorneys | 15 779 | 53% |
Black attorneys (includes African, coloured and Indian) | 14 202 | 47% |
White male attorneys | 9 129 | 31% |
Black male attorneys | 8 138 | 27% |
White female attorneys | 6 650 | 22% |
Black female attorneys | 6 064 | 20% |
Total female attorneys | 12 714 | 42% |
Total candidate attorneys | 5 483 | |
Eastern Cape | 339 | 6% |
Free State | 282 | 5% |
Gauteng | 2 623 | 48% |
KwaZulu-Natal | 869 | 16% |
Limpopo | 288 | 5% |
Mpumalanga | 176 | 3% |
Northern Cape | 54 | 1% |
North West | 165 | 3% |
Western Cape | 687 | 13% |
Total firms | 15 595 | |
Sole practitioners | 13 149 | |
2 to 9 attorneys | 2 351 | |
10 to 19 attorneys | 69 | |
20 to 49 attorneys | 14 | |
More than 50 attorneys | 12 |
South Africa’s general rule of law score decreased by less than 1% in 2022’s Index. At 54th place out of 140 countries and jurisdictions worldwide, South Africa’s rank deccreased by 7 in the global rank in comparison to 2019.
According to World Justice Project Approximately 50% of people surveyed experienced at least one legal problem in the last two years. 37% Were able to access help and 54% Experienced hardship in resolving their legal issue.
While the prevalence and severity of problems vary in South Africa, the most common problems relate to the consumer, land,housing and commiunity. Also, Less than %37 of people in South Africa who experienced a legal problem sought any form of advice to help them better understand or resolve their problem, and those who did seek assistance preferred to turn to family members or friends (%40).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my rights if I am arrested in South Africa?
The detained or accused person, who is arrested for allegedly committing an offence, has the right to remain silent and not to be compelled to make any confession or admission that could be used in evidence against that person. Due to the presumption of innocence, every person is regarded as innocent until properly convicted by a court of law. An accused person does not have to prove that he is innocent. The burden to prove the guilt of the accused rests on the state. The rule is that the onus in criminal cases should always rest on the State. The prosecution must prove every substantive element of the crime as defined in criminal law and which the accused is alleged in the charge sheet/indictment to have perpetrated.
An accused can never be forced to testify; an accused can remain silent even if his answers would not be self-incriminating. A person who exercises his right to silence at his trial should accordingly not be penalised for the exercise of the right as such; no adverse inference should be drawn against his decision not to testify.
Generally it is advisable not to say anything, but if you are of the opinion that you have been arrested because of some misunderstanding and that a statement might prove your innocence you should contact your attorney as soon as possible to make representations on your behalf for your immediate release.
The right to legal representation when arrested and detained in the pre-trial stage of the criminal process, protects the arrested or detained person from state abuses and violations of his or her constitutional rights, most frequently, a denial of such persons right to silence.
Before making a statement to the police or being part of an identification parade, an arrested or detained person needs to be informed of his/her right to counsel and to his right to legal counsel at state expense if he would suffer substantial injustice without such assistance.
The right to a fair trial includes the right to legal representation.
The right to a public trial before an ordinary court of law and the right to challenge evidence.
The right to bail rests on the values embraced in section 12(1)(a) of the Constitution which provides that everyone “has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right… not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause… and a judicial evaluation of different factors that make up the criterion of interests of justice (section 35 (i)(f)). Everyone who is arrested for allegedly committing an offence has the right to be released from detention if the interests of justice permit, subject to reasonable conditions. When bail is granted, an accused who is in custody shall be released from custody upon payment of a sum of money determined for his bail. He must then appear at the place and on the date and at the time appointed for his trial, or to which the proceedings relating to the offence in respect of which the accused is released on bail are adjourned.
The right to be informed of charges against the accused
includes that the state must inform the accused, in a language that s/he understands, of the reason for their arrest, and about the fact that a verdict could follow on the charge which is a competent verdict on the charge. The accused is entitled to prepare his defence and to have adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence.
Right to fair and public hearing before an impartial court. The accused has the right to equality before the law and to equal protection of the law. Criminal trials must be administered publicly and openly and the accused has a right to be tried in a language the accused understands.
The right to be taken to the prescribed authorities “as soon as possible” either to a police official (arrest without a warrant) or to the place of custody mentioned in the warrant. Custody in another place or for a longer period than necessary is unlawful and the person in custody will have a claim for damages. If no charge is brought against him, the arrested person ought to be released.
The best thing to do should you be arrested is to call an attorney to provide you with legal assistance. If you do not have our number on hand it is best to stay calm and ask the arresting officer which police station he/she intends taking you to. It is then advisable that you phone a friend, family member or attorney and inform them that you have been arrested and are being held in custody at that particular police station.
Do not attempt to bribe a Police officer.
Once you are in custody the Police have the right to keep you for a maximum amount of 48 hours and thereafter bring you to a court of law for a first court appearance. It is possible to obtain Police bail and / or make a formal after hours bail application immediately after your arrest. This will ensure that you will spend as little time as possible in the Police cells. Your attorney will be able to assist you in this regard.
What is not allowed in South Africa?
Fully automatic, military, and unnumbered weapons, explosives and fireworks. Poison and other toxic substances. Cigarettes with a mass of more than 2 kilograms per 1,000. Goods to which a trade description or trademark is applied in contravention of any Act (for example, counterfeit goods)
Is surrogacy legal in South Africa?
In the event a couple is unable to conceive and/or give birth to a child due to a medical condition that is permanent and irreversible, they may consider surrogacy.
Surrogacy is where a woman (“surrogate”) voluntary undertakes to be artificially inseminated in order to bear and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple, also known as the commissioning parent/s.
Surrogacy is strictly regulated by the Children’s Act, which sets out the procedure and requirements for surrogacy to ensure that it is legal.
In order for surrogacy to be legal, all parties concerned must enter into a written surrogate motherhood agreement that must be confirmed by the High Court within whose area of jurisdiction the commissioning parent/s are domiciled or habitually resident.
A surrogate has no parental rights and responsibilities over the child and cannot keep the child or take him/her back in the future.
A surrogate may terminate her pregnancy in terms of the Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act. However, the surrogate must inform and consult the commissioning parent/s of her decision to terminate the pregnancy before the termination is carried out.
Surrogacy is voluntary and a surrogate is not allowed to receive payment or gifts with the intention of coercing her to become a surrogate. The commissioning parent/s may pay for expenses during the pregnancy.
Are the human rights of undocumented children in South Africa impacted in South Africa?
Although undocumented children in South Africa are protected by the Constitution, they are unfortunately faced with many challenges. Undocumented children can be described as children who are abandoned or not born from South African citizen parents, and who are faced that their birth not begin registered.
Section 28 of the Constitution is very clear that the best interests of a child are of utmost important in any matter concerning a child. Section 29 of the Constitutions further provides that everyone has the right to a basic education (which includes children).
It is from these human rights where two of the most concerning infringements of undocumented children’s human rights arise:
The right to a name and nationality from birth (section 28).
The right to a basic education and not to be refused reasonable access to education.
A High Court ruling has declared certain clauses of the of the Admission Policy for Ordinary Public Schools of 1998 unconstitutional. These clauses infringed on children’s right to a basic education as it did not allow children to be admitted into a school if they do not have birth certificates or because of them begin non-citizens. This judgment opened the doors to ensure greater protection of undocumented children’s human rights.
When am I guilty of drunk driving / DUI in South Africa?
In terms of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 no person shall on a public road drive a motor vehicle or occupy the drivers seat of a motor vehicle the engine of which is running, while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect.
Concentration of alcohol in blood: 0,05 grams per 100ml or breath alcohol content of 0,24ml per 1000 ml.
Are the Police allowed to search me, my vehicle or my house without a Warrant in South Africa?
Every person’s right to privacy is protected by our constitution, but it is however not an absolute right and can be limited in certain instances. Generally the Police are only allowed to search if a warrant has been issued granting the Police officer the authority to do so. The Police are however allowed to search without a warrant if he / she is of the opinion that in any specific instance he would be able to obtain a warrant, but because of the circumstances of that particular case, there will not be enough time to obtain one. It is important to note that a woman is only allowed to be searched by a female Police Officer or another woman requested by the Police to do the search.
Can I have a criminal record removed / expunged in South Africa?
From 6 May 2009 any person may apply, in writing, to the Director General of Justice and Constitutional Development for the removal of certain entries on his / her criminal record,provided a period of 10 years has lapsed since the conviction, and on condition that he / she has in the interim not been sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
What are Police entitled to do once I have been arrested in South Africa?
Once you have been arrested, the Police are allowed to:
Take your fingerprints, palm prints or footprints;
Have you attend an identity parade. You are however entitled to insist on the presence of a legal representative in these instances;
The Police are entitled to ascertain whether your body has any mark, characteristic or distinguishing feature;
Take a photograph of you;
Take you to a doctor to have your blood drawn.
How much do I pay for legal assistance in a criminal matter in South Africa?
Before you appoint us to provide you with legal assistance in your criminal matter, you are welcome to discuss the costs involved. A deposit will generally be required. The amount of which will depend on the type of instruction given and the amount of time your claim is predicted to take. There are various options available to structure a fee for representing you in a criminal case. We can also provide you with a few handy tips to reduce your legal costs and expenses.
