Legal aid in South Africa is freely available for people that cannot afford to pay a lawyer’s fees and expensive court costs. An officer is appointed to every magistrate’s court so so you can contact them or your closest legal aid board justice centre. Everybody is entitled to free advice and representation in criminal matters although regarding civil matters you need to pass a test which is based on your monthly income in order to qualify. Aid is really only available to the lower income bracket groups and the test ceiling is low.
Ways to get legal aid in South Africa possibly for free is to approach a University law faculty. Many university law faculties have legal clinics to which consumers can take complaints and certain queries. Or you are entitled to approach the legal resources centre which is an independant non-profit organisation which offers free legal advice and help to poor and homeless individuals or communities in SA. An umbrella body for the attorney’s profession in this country is the Law Society of South Africa and they can be contacted or you can search their official website to find an attorney in your area. The search will deliver results giving you the telephone numbers and address locations of top attorney’s closest to where you live.
There are frequent cases on a daily basis throughout this country of people needing assistance with their rights and law related issues and a huge population in SA cannot afford access to expensive lawyers. All it takes is a little research from you or get a friend to help you if you need assistance and you will soon find access to legal aid in South Africa that is freely available to people who cannot afford a lawyer.