Concerns over ethical standards in SA's legal profession

EXPERIENCED law reports editor Louis Podbielski has expressed his concerns regarding the deteriorating ethics in South African law, and he has called on the legal fraternity to uphold the highest standards of ethics.

- ZELDA VENTER

"In South Africa in particular, the legal profession really is the last bastion against corruption and moral turpitude," Podbielski said.

He has read case law for 18 years, and at Spartan Caselaw, which reports to the legal fraternity on the latest cases, he and his team read a lot of new cases every day. What he sees is deeply concerning.

"Recently, I've noticed an alarming increase in judges' comments regarding the lack of ethics, unprofessional conduct, and poor standards of litigation among some legal practitioners. I have become increasingly uneasy with the cases that cross my desk."

Podbielski noted that the issue does not lie with the judges. "We have excellent judges and acting judges today. Instead, it is the quality of cases and arguments presented by practitioners that raises concerns."