How do I contact free legal aid in South Africa?
Asked by: Henderson Renner IV | Last update: August 8, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (53 votes)
You can call our toll-free Advice Line on 0800 110 110, weekdays between 7am and 7pm, to receive legal advice. If you cannot call, send a Please Call Me to 079 835 7179 and we will call you back.
How to get a free lawyer in South Africa?
How do you qualify for a pro bono (free) attorney? To qualify for free legal assistance, a person must comply with a 'means test' (a maximum monthly or no income) and have a legal problem with merit. You will be referred to an attorney by the Legal Practice Council who will assist you free of charge (pro bono).
How much does legal aid charge?
Legal aid offices are not-for-profit agencies that provide free legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. While many legal aid offices only help people with very low incomes, some offices have more flexible income rules. Many legal aid offices also offer self-help resources that can help you get started.
Who qualifies for legal aid in South Africa?
Legal Aid South Africa's role is to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford their own legal representation. This includes poor people and vulnerable groups such as women, children and the rural poor. Legal Aid SA applies a 'means test' to see whether you qualify in terms of what you earn.
How do I apply for legal aid in SA?
The OLS Portal will also allow you to apply for legal aid, update your contact and financial details, submit documents and, if necessary, request a transfer to a new solicitor. If you need assistance completing the online application, please telephone our Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424.
7. how you can contact legal aid
Does legal aid help foreigners in South Africa?
Legal aid is available to anyone who lives in South Africa (not only South African citizens) if the case: is criminal. involves children. involves asylum seekers – legal aid is available to asylum seekers applying or intending to apply for asylum under Chapters 3 and 4 of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998.
Who qualifies for pro bono lawyer?
These programs typically help people with very low income (those whose income is less than 125 percent of the federal poverty level), but sometimes they will help those with slightly higher income levels.
Can you go to court without a lawyer in South Africa?
You do not have to have a lawyer to prepare and file documents in the Constitutional Court. The rules of the Court, which govern procedures before it, will help you to prepare. However, you are encouraged to obtain some form of legal assistance before coming to the Court.
How much is a lawyer consultation fee in South Africa?
Understanding lawyer costs in South Africa
Here's a quick breakdown: Junior counsel: Newer attorneys, or those with less experience, usually charge between R900 and R1,200 per hour. Mid-level attorneys: More experienced lawyers may charge between R1,200 and R4,000 per hour.
Will a lawyer talk to you for free?
In California, as in other states, free legal advice is available by simple calling 1-800-THE-LAW2 and getting connected to one of the attorneys in our network. In fact, we've been serving Californians and the local community since the 1980s.
What are attorney fees in South Africa?
The hourly rates for practitioners (excluding VAT) are as follows: Senior Counsel: R3 000.00 – R4 400.00; Junior Counsel: R700. 00 – R1 700.00; Candidate Attorney: R1 000.00; Junior Attorney: R1 800.00; Senior Attorney: R2 800.00. 3.
How much do doctors charge for consultation in South Africa?
How much does a physical GP doctor consultation cost in South Africa? Seeing a GP doctor in person can cost about R500 or more per consultation.
Why do lawyers offer free consultation?
Many law firms offer free consultations because they want to help you and get the word out about their services.
What happens when you sue someone with no money?
The California statute of limitations for filing a judgment is ten years. If the debtor cannot pay or complete payment within this time, you must renew the judgment. The judgment must continue to be renewed to ensure the debtor pays the full amount.
What kind of lawyers don't go to court?
There are many types of lawyers that rarely (if ever) go into court, as the scope of their work does not require it. These may include estate planning lawyers, labor lawyers, personal injury lawyers, and bankruptcy lawyers.
How to sue someone in South Africa?
GO TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT
The person's personal and contact details. The clerk of the court will prepare a summons which will force the person to come to court at the set date. The summons will be delivered by you or the sheriff of the court.
How do you call a lawyer who works for free?
What is a pro bono program? Pro bono programs help low-income people find volunteer lawyers who are willing to handle their cases for free. These programs usually are sponsored by state or local bar associations. See our directory of pro bono programs to find one in your state.
How to ask for pro bono?
It probably is best to wait until after you receive an offer to press the issue but you can raise it at an EIP interview, or during callback visits. It often is useful to call or e-mail the people who coordinate the firms' pro bono program and ask to meet with them and with associates and a partner who do pro bono.
Are pro bono lawyers any good?
While people sometimes expect pro bono lawyers to be less capable or committed to their clients, that's not true, Johnson says. Legal service staff attorneys deliver results that are just as good as for-fee attorneys, and they tend to be the most passionate and committed lawyers, Johnson says.
Do foreigners have rights in South Africa?
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 protects the rights of all people in South Africa, including non-nationals.
What is the maximum income for legal aid in South Africa?
1. Applications for legal aid in criminal/civil cases – applicants must earn less than R8,700 per month. 2. Applications for legal aid in civil cases where the applicant is a member of a household – applicants must earn less than R9,500 per month.
Can a South African lawyer practice in the US?
Can a foreign lawyer give counsel in the United States? A foreign lawyer cannot provide legal services in the United States without being admitted to at least one state's bar. Exceptions may exist in some states for example, where foreign lawyers may apply for a license as a foreign law consultant.
When a lawyer does something for free?
Pro Bono. Pro bono programs match low-income clients with volunteer lawyers, who agree to take their cases for free.
Will lawyers answer questions for free?
Everyone should have access to an attorney to help them navigate legal issues. The State Bar funds legal aid organizations throughout the state that provide legal services to Californians who have low and moderate incomes.