South Africa Case Law

South African Legal Practice Council v Mogofe and Another (3639/2023)

South African Legal Practice Council v Mogofe and Another (3639/2023) [2025] ZALMPPHC 64 (26 March 2025)

Court

Limpopo High Court, Polokwane

Case number

3639/2023

Judges

Bresler, Pillay

The High Court dismissed an application to strike an attorney from the roll and a counter-application to review disciplinary findings, citing sparse papers and procedural defects.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Disciplinary Proceedings
• Review Of Administrative Decision
• Procedural Compliance
• Legal-practitioner-discipline
• Strike-off

SA Legal Practice Council v Maeyane (24543/2022)

SA Legal Practice Council v Maeyane (24543/2022) [2024] ZAGPPHC 666 (3 July 2024)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

24543/2022

Judges

Janse van Nieuwenhuizen, Kekana

The High Court struck an attorney from the roll after finding dishonesty, poor trust-account control, failure to account, and conveyancing work done without authority.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Misappropriation Of Trust Funds
• Dishonesty
• Conveyancing Without Authority
• Failure To Account
• Gross Negligence

South African Legal Practice Council v Ramdin (26408/2021)

South African Legal Practice Council v Ramdin (26408/2021) [2024] ZAGPPHC 633 (25 June 2024)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

26408/2021

Judges

Mooki, Matthys

The High Court struck an attorney off the roll after finding she misled clients, mishandled trust funds, failed to cooperate with the LPC, and was dishonest.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Trust Account Shortfall
• Dishonesty And Misconduct
• Failure To Cooperate With Regulator
• Fidelity Fund Certificate
• Legal Practice Act Section 43

South African Legal Practice Council v Marais (32362/2020)

South African Legal Practice Council v Marais (32362/2020) [2024] ZAGPPHC 472 (14 May 2024)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

32362/2020

Judges

Nkosi, Baqwa

The court found that the Legal Practice Council failed to conduct a proper and thorough investigation into the complaints against the respondent. The Investigating Committee did not adequately interrogate the allegations, failed to consider the respondent's financial records, and did not investigate subsequent complaints before seeking the respondent's striking off. The disciplinary process did not meet the requirements of procedural fairness as mandated by statute and the Constitution. In the absence of clear proof and a comprehensive investigation, the applicant did not establish sufficient…

Source excerpt

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Procedural Fairness
• Investigations By Regulatory Body
• Legal Practice Act
• Disciplinary Proceedings

Legal Practice Council v Steffen (13048/23)

Legal Practice Council v Steffen (13048/23) [2024] ZAWCHC 48 (20 February 2024)

Court

Western Cape High Court, Cape Town

Case number

13048/23

Judges

M Sher, PAL Gamble

The High Court struck an attorney from the roll after finding repeated misappropriation of trust funds, including conduct after suspension, and ordered costs.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Misappropriation Of Trust Funds
• Disciplinary Proceedings
• Fit And Proper Person
• Costs Order
• Attorney-striking-off

Langa v South African Legal Practice Council (79330/2018)

Langa v South African Legal Practice Council (79330/2018) [2023] ZAGPPHC 734 (1 September 2023)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

79330/2018

Judges

WJ du Plessis, D Makhoba

Leave to appeal was dismissed after the court held that the applicant was not a fit and proper legal practitioner and had no reasonable prospects of success.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Fidelity Fund Certificate
• Fit And Proper Person
• Leave To Appeal
• Professional Misconduct
• Legal-practitioners-striking-off

South African Legal Practice Council v Melato (1863/2020)

South African Legal Practice Council v Melato (1863/2020) [2021] ZAFSHC 305 (2 December 2021)

Court

Free State High Court, Bloemfontein

Case number

1863/2020

Judges

Williams, Ranchod

The High Court struck an attorney from the roll for misappropriating client trust funds, failing to comply with audit and fidelity requirements, and lacking insight.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Misappropriation Of Trust Funds
• Failure To Submit Audit Reports
• Fidelity Fund Certificate
• Disciplinary Proceedings
• Curator Bonis Appointment

South African Legal Practice Council v Breedt (31869/2020)

South African Legal Practice Council v Breedt (31869/2020) [2021] ZAGPPHC 258 (3 May 2021)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

31869/2020

Judges

N Davis, K S Mahlangu

The High Court struck an attorney off the roll for serious trust-account misconduct, unaccounted client funds, and repeated breaches of professional duties.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Trust Account Mismanagement
• Fiduciary Duties
• Unprofessional Conduct
• Legal Practice Act
• Costs Order

South African Legal Practice Council v Ntsie (52311/2019)

South African Legal Practice Council v Ntsie (52311/2019) [2020] ZAGPPHC 531 (22 August 2020)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

52311/2019

Judges

D S Fourie, H S Toni

Interim suspension proceedings against an attorney were postponed to allow further answering affidavits, while a curator bonis was appointed over trust accounts.

• Legal Practitioners Striking Off
• Fidelity Fund Certificate
• Trust Account Mismanagement
• Interim Suspension
• Curatorship Of Trust Accounts
• Attorney-discipline