Zimbabwe Law Society blasts misrepresenting legal-aid firms

03 Aug, 2014 - 06:08 0 Views
Zimbabwe Law Society blasts misrepresenting legal-aid firms

The Sunday Mail

the-legal-sectorThe Law Society of Zimbabwe is investigating several legal aid societies that are accused of charging between US$5 and US$100 monthly in subscriptions but subsequently provide unsatisfactory services.

Most local legal aid societies are registered as non-profit-making trust organisations, but investigations conducted by The Sunday Mail Extra show that they are primed to make a killing through this misrepresentation.

Clients are individuals and organisations who are promised legal cover valued on the basis of their contributions in much the same way that medical aid societies operate.

However, many subscribers feel shortchanged when the time comes for legal representation.

A particularly contentious issue is that clients cannot choose the lawyer they want and are arbitrarily assigned representation, which could be foul of the country’s laws.

Ms Angeline Sibanda, a disappointed client, said: “I was fully paid-up and when I had a case with the courts I sought assistance from the society but they failed to avail the due services and began to refer me from one lawyer to the other until I opted out of the plan.”

Mr Paul Nyoni added: “The major challenge is that you are not given an opportunity to choose a lawyer of your choice as compared to medical aid societies which grant you the right to seek treatment from a doctor of choice as long as you are paid-up.

“In most cases one is assigned average lawyers thereby diminishing hopes of winning the court cases.”

LSZ president Mr Lloyd Mhishi said they had “received numerous reports from legal aid societies’ clients” and the regulatory body was “conducting investigations into the matters reported”.

“It is a deplorable fact to note that trained professionals are clandestinely forming trusts and fleecing innocent citizens of their hard-earned money. The Constitution of Zimbabwe clearly states that every person in Zimbabwe has the right, at their own expense, to choose and be represented by a legal practitioner before any court, tribunal or forum.

“It is in this vein that the public is being advised to first verify the authenticity of offered legal services with the LSZ before engaging in regrettable deals.

It is wiser for the public to approach the LSZ if they are in need of justifiable free legal services or alternatively to seek the services provided free of cost by the Government’s Legal Aid Department.

“As the legal regulatory body we remain determined to flush out all activities that bring the legal standards of the country into disrepute,” Mr Mhishi said.

Mrs Muregi Pundu of Golden Knot Legal Aid Society said most organisations in the sector were professional.

“We discharge duties being guided by the highest professional standards and in consideration that we have a reputation to protect, at times we even go out of the way to provide cover to the clients’ who are defaulting their payments.”

An official with Law For All Legal Aid Society went on: “There is need for all stakeholders to come together and work towards improving legal access to the public.”

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