The Legal Profession in South Africa: History, Liability & Regulation discusses the history of the legal profession in South Africa, the common-law liability of legal practitioners and the regulation of the profession. The work describes the development of the profession in South Africa, highlighting the complex role that practitioners have played in the development of our society. It also explores the legal nature of the relationships that may exist between practitioners and clients as well as between practitioners themselves.

The fundamental questions at the core of the book are: what are the duties that are imposed upon legal practitioners by contract law or otherwise, and under what circumstances can they be held liable towards clients and third parties? The most important provisions of the Legal Practice Act, as well as the Rules and Regulations issued under the Act, are set out and explained. The broader issues of legal ethics and professional conduct are considered along with the ethical and statutory duties of legal practitioners towards clients, the courts and their colleagues.

The final chapter covers personal costs orders, setting out the categories and instances in which courts have made these orders in the past. This book is aimed at anyone interested in the legal profession. It is an essential addition to the library of legal practitioners who will benefit from the discussion of various theoretical and practical issues related to the work they do. It is also a useful tool for law students who seek a better understanding of the legal profession.

“A valuable resource for legal practitioners and law students.  The book addresses the fundamental question: how should legal practitioners act, and within what ethical guidelines and laws? In answering this question, the book offers to strengthen legal practice at a crucial time for the rule of law in our country.”
-Retired Constitutional Court Judge - Edwin Cameron

• Preface 
• Tables of Cases 
• Tables of Statutes 
• Chapter 1: Introduction 
• Chapter 2: The History and Development of The Legal Profession in South Africa 
• Chapter 3: Legal Relationships Between Legal Practitioners and Others 
• Chapter 4: Contractual Liability of Legal Practitioners 
• Chapter 5: Delictual Liability of Legal Practitioners 
• Chapter 6: Regulation of the Legal Profession through the Legal Practice Act
• Chapter 7: Ethics and Professional Conduct 
• Chapter 8: Personal Costs Orders Against Legal Practitioners 
• Index