Since 2019, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has been holding meetings for the establishment of provincial attorneys’ associations in the nine provinces of South Africa. The establishment of provincial associations is set out in the preamble of the LSSA constitution, which states:

‘We, the representatives of legal practitioners in South Africa, the Black Lawyers Association, the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, the Independent Lawyers Associations from the nine provinces of South Africa as the constituent members of the Law Society of South Africa, in recognising the changes brought about by the Legal Practice Act [28 of 2014]:

• having realised the impact of the Legal Practice Act and agreed to the restructuring of the legal profession and its governing bodies and having adopted the principles contained herein;
• having agreed in principle to the creation of a national voluntary structure with a national executive body to represent the profession;
• having agreed that the new national structure shall be neither unitary nor federal but could comprise elements of both;
• having co-operated formally since July 1996 via an agreement between the Black Lawyers Association, the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, the Law Societies of the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, the Northern Provinces, and the Cape Provinces; and
• having decided to further transform the governance and representation of the legal profession in South Africa;
• having noted that the provincial law societies will cease to exist, the local associations or circles will form a provincial lawyers’ association in each province. These associations shall consist of the Black Lawyers Association, the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, and the independent constituents. The independent attorneys of each of the provincial associations shall nominate a provincial representative to the House of Constituents;
• having noted that the Legal Practice Act places the regulatory functions with the Legal Practice Council;
• commit ourselves to building a transformed organised legal profession which is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, representative, transparent and accountable to all whom it serves and the public at large; and to that end we shall strive to advance the interests of women, the youth and people living with disabilities;
• commit ourselves to protecting and advancing the rights and interests of our members in relation to the regulatory activities of the Legal Practice Council and other authorities; and
• commit ourselves to influence the transformation of the economic structure in South Africa in order to advance the interest of our members, particularly the previously disadvantaged’ (see www.LSSA.org.za, accessed 30-1-2023).

In 2023, the LSSA is coordinating meetings of the various Provincial Associations. The objective is to ensure that practical activities for the benefit of practitioners are effective and address the concerns and challenges facing practitioners within the region. In addition, the meeting will advise on assistance required and report on activities that address practitioners’ challenges at a local level (issues on the ground).

The Provincial Association meetings will be held for the benefit of local practitioners. All practitioners in the particular province are invited to the meeting, so that they can be informed on the progress and activities of the association, which is in the interest of all practitioners in the province, wherever they are based.

Members of the LSSA House of Constituents/Council from the Provinces will avail themselves to attend the meetings. The LSSA’s Executive Director, Anthony Pillay, will also attend these meetings to talk to and listen to members and the Association and offer assistance and guidance where needed.

Many towns still have their local associations active, and provinces must include these members in their communications and engagements. All meetings will be held at 4 pm. The meeting will be hybrid (physical and virtual via ZOOM) to encourage participation.

Venue details will be circulated where these are not yet confirmed:

• 2 February 2023 – Mpumalanga, Middelburg – Middelburg Country Club.
• 7 February 2023 – Limpopo, Polokwane – Park Inn by Radisson.
• 9 February 2023 – KwaZulu-Natal, Durban – Durban Country Club.
• 14 February 2023 – Western Cape, Cape Town – SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl.
• 21 February 2023 – Eastern Cape, East London – Hemingways.
• 2 March 2023 – Northern Cape, Kimberley – Ambassador Lodge.
• 7 March 2023 – North West – TBC.

The LSSA has agreed that where there are Task Team meetings (Association not yet established), practitioners within the province are invited to participate in meetings, physically where possible or via the ZOOM option. All meetings are hosted by the Provincial Executive or Task Team members (where applicable). Kindly extend this invitation to fellow practitioners or colleagues. Practitioners are urged to join their provincial association as it is in their best interest.

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2023 (Jan/Feb) DR 3.