As we navigate an era of profound transformation within the legal profession, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) stands resolute in its commitment to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethical practice, and service to society. The LSSA’s Strategic Plan, approved by the House of Constituents, was tabled at its Annual General Meeting held in March 2025 and sets a clear course for the future of the organisation. The LSSA will continue to be the trusted, authoritative voice of the attorneys’ profession, both nationally and beyond.
The LSSA’s strategy is founded on four key pillars: Advocacy and representation, professional development, access to justice, and thought leadership. These pillars reflect not only the organisation’s enduring mission but also a progressive realignment to meet the challenges and opportunities that the legal sector faces in the 21st century.
The enactment of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (LPA) reshaped the regulatory landscape, requiring the LSSA to reimagine its role. The LSSA is now a voluntary association, which is membership-based and that advocates vigorously for attorneys and candidate attorneys. It is in this context that in 2025, the LSSA’s strategy reaffirms its focus: To be the attorneys’ representative organisation of choice, and to be recognised for its unwavering commitment to the profession’s interests and societal responsibilities.
At the heart of this renewed mandate lies an understanding that the LSSA’s relevance must be earned through action: Through providing meaningful support, through proactive advocacy, and by creating platforms that empower legal practitioners to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Among the LSSA’s foremost strategic priorities is the imperative to achieve financial sustainability. The substantial reduction in subvention funding from the Legal Practice Council has necessitated a fundamental shift towards self-sufficiency. Accordingly, the Strategic Plan details a series of revenue-generating initiatives: expanding corporate and niche training offerings, developing a national qualifications framework, leveraging digital platforms, and enhancing advertising and sponsorship opportunities, including those linked to De Rebus itself.
These initiatives are not merely financial mechanisms; they are an extension of the LSSA’s broader mission to add tangible value to legal practitioners. By offering accredited, high-quality legal education and professional development opportunities, the LSSA continues to equip practitioners to meet evolving client needs, regulatory standards, and technological advancements.
Importantly, the LSSA recognises that sustainability must also be internal. To this end, a renewed emphasis has been placed on human capital development, the reorganisation of departmental structures, and investment in technology and operational processes that enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and service quality.
An independent and accessible legal profession is essential to the maintenance of the rule of law and the advancement of constitutional democracy. The LSSA’s Strategic Plan places significant emphasis on initiatives that promote access to the profession and access to justice. Practical interventions such as the expansion of Practical Vocational Training, mentorship programmes, women’s leadership initiatives, and regional outreach through Provincial Associations are designed to ensure that the profession is inclusive, representative, and accessible to all.
Furthermore, the LSSA will continue impact litigation initiatives, which is a vital tool to protect rights, defend the rule of law, and drive systemic change. Strategic litigation not only safeguards the interests of the profession but also reinforces the legal profession’s duty to the broader public good.
Campaigns such as National Wills Week reflect a deepening of the LSSA’s engagement with communities and public interest organisations. These initiatives will be complemented by a refined media strategy aimed at promoting positive narratives about the legal profession and strengthening public confidence.
One of the LSSA’s key ambitions is to enhance its visibility – not only among legal practitioners but also within the broader public, the business community, and policymakers. De Rebus, the LSSA’s flagship journal, plays a pivotal role in this effort. Through expanded digital offerings, strategic media partnerships, and more interactive platforms, De Rebus will continue to serve as a vital conduit for thought leadership, professional education, and public engagement.
Moreover, the LSSA is poised to deepen its regional and international footprint. By leveraging its relationships with organisations such as the Southern African Development Community Lawyers Association and other continental bodies, the LSSA aims to extend its influence across Southern Africa. These efforts are essential to ensuring that South African legal practitioners are active participants in shaping the future of the profession on the continent and beyond.
The Strategic Plan acknowledges the risks and challenges ahead: Financial constraints, competition from external service providers, the need to differentiate the LSSA from other organisations, and the constant imperative to maintain legitimacy and relevance.
To meet these challenges, the LSSA must remain agile, innovative, and united. Stronger collaboration with stakeholders, an unwavering focus on professional standards, and a clear value proposition to members will be crucial. It is only through proactive leadership, strategic partnerships, and continuous engagement with the profession and society that the LSSA will secure its place as an indispensable institution.
The LSSA’s Strategic Plan is not simply an internal roadmap; it is an invitation to every attorney and candidate attorney in South Africa to participate in the renewal of our profession. Whether through engaging with Provincial Associations, supporting public interest initiatives, attending training programmes, or contributing to De Rebus, every legal practitioner has a role to play.
Mapula Oliphant NDip Journ (DUT) BTech (Journ) (TUT) is the Editor at De Rebus.
This article was first published in De Rebus in 2025 (May) DR 3.
