How To Get Free Legal Advice In South Africa 2022 | Step By Step Guide

How To Get Free Legal Advice In South Africa 2022… Are you looking for where to get free legal advice in South Africa? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about How To Get Free Legal Advice In South Africa.

Legal assistance is almost inevitable, especially when locking arms with the law or when dealing with disputes. Unfortunately, finding affordable judicial intervention is proving difficult for most South Africans who cannot afford an hourly standard attorney fee of up to R400. Luckily, those that cannot afford these high rates qualify for free legal intervention regardless of whether they are handling civil or criminal cases.

FAQ On Free Legal Aid South Africa

How can I get free legal advice? Here is everything that you need to know about free legal advice in South Africa to help you with your concerns.

1. Who Qualifies For Free Legal Aid?

Most South Africans qualify for legal aid in most legal organizations. In some cases, you must pass the means test before receiving legal aid SA. The test serves as a measure of one’s earning against the minimum amount indicated on the Legal Aid Board provisions. The threshold for legal aids is reviewed annually to make sure that legal solutions are available for all.

Note that children automatically qualify for free legal aid. In such cases, it is not necessary to undertake the means test. Instead, the family of the child will have to be eligible for assistance by taking the legal test for civil cases. Other than cases involving children, those residing in SA can approach Legal Aid in the event that their cases are civil or involve asylum seekers.

How does legal aid work South Africa? Those who qualify must meet the following criteria:

• If you own a home, its total value and everything else that you own should not be worth over R640,000. Also, you must only have one house where you stay.
• If you are not a homeowner, then the total value of everything that you own, e.g. furniture, car, clothes, and other personal stuff, should not exceed R128,000.
• In the event that you are receiving a state grant, it is mandatory to take the means test, and present official documentation to prove that you are receiving a pension or state grant.
• Those who are elderly are not required to take the means test but must prove that they are receiving a pension or state grant.

2. Is Legal Aid Free In South Africa?

Those that qualify for legal aid receive full representation from Legal Aid South Africa at no cost. In the event that you lose the case, the organization representing you will incur all the charges.

3. Where Can I Get Legal Advice For Free?

Where can I get free legal advice in South Africa? Several organizations are always willing to offer free legal advice. You will be sure to receive sufficient support on your rights as a parent, drafting of wills, cohabitation contracts, and outsourcing support from your baby daddy, among others, without incurring a penny. However, Legal Aid South Africa is the leading and most resourceful platform where locals can receive free legal interventions without incurring expensive charges.

4. What Is Legal Aid SA?

Legal Aid is professional legal advice or representation provided to South Africans with the main aim of helping those that cannot afford their legal obligations in court.

The body seeks to serve the interest of low-income earners who may otherwise remain in the shadow of justice. The body is particularly interested in representing vulnerable groups, among them children, the elderly, women, rural poor, and those living with disabilities.

Legal Aid South Africa Address

• Postal Address: Private Bag X76, Braamfontein, 2017
• Street Address: Legal Aid House, 29 De Beer Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017

Legal Aid Contact Details

Note that hotline numbers are active on weekdays from Monday to Friday between 7 am to 7 pm.

• Phone 1: 011 877 2000 (National office reception)
• Phone 2: 0800 110 110 (Toll-free Legal Aid Advice line)
• Phone 3: 0800 153 728 (Legal Aid Ethics hotline)
• Phone 4: 079 835 7179 (Please-call-me number)
• Email: communications2@legal-aid.co.za
• Facebook: @LegalAidSA1

You can also check out the Legal Aid self help portal for guidance on straightforward topics like writing of wills, admission of estates, and guardian’s fund. You can also have a look at the website for further clarification.

5. Do I Have To Pay Back Legal Aid?

Most people do not realize that the organization representing your case will deduct all incurred costs from your grants if you win a civil lawsuit. However, Legal Aid lawyers should not charge clients for their representation until the case is won, and the contract is fulfilled.

6. What Happens If I Don’t Qualify For Legal Aid?

If you fail to merit the means test, then you will likely have no option but to seek alternative ways. If you are still unable to find representation because of financial constraints, then you should try your luck with the following:

• Consult legal aid societies
• Visit small claims court
• Visit a law school
• Try pricing attorneys
• Contact county or state bar associations
• Boldly represent yourself in court.

Get More Legal Aid South Africa

If you think that you qualify for legal aid, proceed to use the following legal aid contact number and details to access free representations:

1. Women’s Legal Centre

• Phone: (021) 4211 380/ 021 424 5660
• Website: wlce.co.za
• Location in Cape Town: 7th Floor Constitution House, 124 Adderley Str. (corner of Church Street)
• Media Queries: communications@wlce.co.za
• Helpdesk Queries: info@wlce.co.za

2. Family Law Clinic

Website: familylawclinic.org.za

3. Lawyers For Human Rights

• Location in Cape Town: 4th floor, Vunani Chambers, 33 Church Street, City Centre, Cape Town
• Website: lhr.org.za
• Tel: 021 424 8561
• Fax: 021 424 7135

South Africans can alternatively access legal advice for free from the following institutions with Legal Aid clinics.

1. University of Cape Town

• Location: Room 4.39 Wilfred and Jules Kramer Law Building, Middle Campus, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch.
• Phone: (021) 650 3551/3775
• Email: uctlawclinic@law.uct.ac.za
• Fax: 021 650 5665

2. University of Durban-Westville

• Phone 1: (031) 204 4445
• Phone 2: (031) 204 4821

3. University of Fort Hare

• Phone: (04060) 22236

4. University of the Orange Free State

• Phone: (051) 401 2451

5. University of Natal (Durban)

• Phone: (031) 260 2867

6. University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg)

• Phone: (033) 260 5778

7. University of the North

• Phone: (015) 268 2903

8. University of the North West

• Phone: (018) 389 2510

9. University of Port Elizabeth

• Phone: (041) 504 2190

10. Potchefstroom University

• Phone: (018) 299 1950

11. University of Pretoria

• Phone: (012) 420 4158

12. Rand Afrikaans University

• Phone: (011) 489 2141

13. Rhodes University

• Phone: (046) 603 8427

14. University of South Africa

• Phone: (012) 429 8439

15. University of Stellenbosch

• Location: 18-24 Crozier Street, Stellenbosch
• Phone: (021) 808 3195/2 or 021 808 3600/3432
• Email: rhkadmin@sun.ac.za
• Fax: 021 808 3720

16. University of Venda

• Phone: (015) 962 8217

17. Vista University (Bloemfontein Campus)

• Phone: (051) 505 1386

18. University of the Western Cape

• Location: Old Library Building, University of the Western Cape Campus, Modderdam Road, Bellville
• Phone: (021) 959 2756/3291
• Email: amrhoda@uwc.ac.za

19. University of the Witwatersrand

• Phone: (011) 717 8562

20. University of Zululand

• Phone: (035) 902-6192
• Phone: (035) 793 3911

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