to give your attorney clear instructions.to give your attorney correct and complete information, and to disclose all the relevant facts to assist your attorney to give you the appropriate advice.to treat your attorney with respect and courtesy.YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE CLIENT OF AN ATTORNEYĪs the client of an attorney you have the responsibility Please note: The legal duty to release information about money deposited with your attorney can override the duty of confidentiality (for example, in terms of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act) and the duty to court can override the duty to put your interests first. subject to certain conditions, you have the right to cancel your mandate to the attorney at any stage and consult another attorney.have the attorneys’ account assessed and taxed if you are of the view that it is too high and.to complain about your attorney if you believe the attorney is acting unethically or in an unprofessional manner.to a clear bill which shows the work done and the amounts charged.to responses to your letters and telephone calls within a reasonable time.to be kept updated on developments and on progress as work on your matter proceeds.to be kept informed of costs, so that you can work out if a particular course of action is worth following financially.to an explanation of the cost implications and how the costs are likely to be calculated.to be advised on the likely success of your matter and not to do unnecessary work that will lead to unnecessary expenses.to know who will be handling your matter.to find out from the start of the consultation what you are hoping to achieve, and aim to make sure that your expectations are realistic.to clear explanations in terms you can understand.to agree the type of service you can expect and receive.to privacy and attorney-client confidentiality.to be treated with professional courtesy, respect and fairness, regardless of your race, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.to professional, honest and unbiased advice at all times.YOUR RIGHTS AS THE CLIENT OF AN ATTORNEYĪs the client of an attorney, you have the right Complaints must be lodged with the relevant office of the Legal Practice Council.Ĭlick here for complaints forms from the Legal Practice Council website.
Significant Leadership Programme for Women LawyersĪttorneys fall under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Legal Practice Council.Briefing Patterns in the Legal Profession.Statistics for the Attorneys’ Profession.Provincial Legal Practitioners’ Associations.