Court Litigation – Legal Services and Advice Cape Town South Africa

Court Litigation – Legal Services and Advice Cape Town South Africa

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Do I need a lawyer for child custody matters at the Children’s Court? 

When it comes to children, the law upholds the principle of the best interests of the child. In other words, the focus is not on what is best for the parents but rather on what is beneficial for the child. To achieve this, one must consider all the facts of the particular case. This principle applies whether or not you have a lawyer representing you or if you are representing yourself. The question arises: is it necessary to have a lawyer (Advocate or Attorney) in a Children’s Court matter, given that the court has a duty to focus on the child’s best interests? The short answer is that having a lawyer is not essential, nor is it obligatory. You may represent yourself in the Children’s Court. However, we cannot overlook the advantages of having your own lawyer present, as they are knowledgeable about the law and are not personally implicated in the case. Being involved in a court case can be highly emotional and may lead you to concentrate on your feelings rather than the pertinent issues that genuinely matter to the child’s best interests. Another challenge in the Children’s Court is that the other parent of the child will be present. Arguments may arise that primarily concern the past rather than the current issues. This might render the prospect of attending the Children’s Court somewhat daunting. However, if you are well prepared, it should not be a significant worry.

Prepare yourself for the Children’s Court

If you attend the Children’s Court alone, ensure that you are adequately prepared. Bring all relevant information and documents with you, and also ready yourself for any questions you may receive from the court. Familiarise yourself with the law and the issues at hand, and strive to be the best possible advocate for yourself. By doing so, the outcomes could well exceed your expectations.

Trust Account Advocate in South Africa – How does Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s Practice?

A relatively recent concept in South Africa is Trust Account Advocates, which came into existence in 2018. The referral advocate profession remains the prevalent type of Advocate to this day. To understand what a Trust Account Advocate is, one needs to understand what a referral advocate is. The Legal Practice Act provides a distinction between Trust Account Advocates and Referral Advocates.

What is a referral advocate in South Africa?

Prior to 2018, all advocates were referred to as only “Advocates”. Advocates were instructed by an attorney. What this meant was that a client would approach an attorney, who would, in turn, instruct and advocate to do work. The work the Advocate would be instructed to do predominantly relates to matters connecting to Court or litigation. Therefore, should a client want to claim money from someone, the attorney would instruct the Advocate to assist in the litigation process. This would include drafting court documents and appearing in Court. The attorney would attend to the administrative matters regarding the case. For example, writing letters, copying documents, filing at Court, and ensuring that everything is in order. The Advocate would then invoice the attorney for work done.

How does a Trust Account Advocate operate in South Africa?

A Trust Account Advocate would be a hybrid between an attorney and a Referral Advocate. The Trust Account advocate would generally do work that referral advocates do; however, they also do work that an attorney would do. The client would, however, pay fees directly to the Trust Account Advocate into his or her Trust Account. This is not possible for Referral Advocates, where fees must be paid into the Attorneys Trust Account. It can only be paid to the Advocate after the work is done.

How does Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf operate as a Trust Account Advocate?

Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s practice is a general litigation practice. The client would approach his firm directly for an impending legal matter. After a consultation with Adv. Muhammad Abduroaf and it is resolved that the matter requires his attention, he would take on the matter. If fees are paid in advance, they will be paid into his Trust Account. The same as an attorney would do. The main difference between his practice and that of an attorney working with a Referral Advocate is that the client would deal directly with him as the Advocate in the matter. Not via the attorney.

How do I instruct Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf?

If you wish to instruct Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf in a legal matter, feel free to contact him. His website is
www. abduroaf.co.za. You may also contact him using the number 021 1110090.    

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