New online legal information centre launched to serve the public interest

LegalAidServices.co.za - a brand new website just launched to provide its readers free and easy-to-understand, frequently updated information about the laws in South Africa, their legal rights and their options for legal assistance.

According to a report by Statistics South Africa entitled “Monthly Earnings of South Africans 2010”, 60% of the population earns under R 2 800 on average a month, 25% of the population earns an average of R 6 500 a month and only 20% of the population earn an average of R 1 2000 and above.[1] Most people who are not wealthy are forced to navigate their way through the civil legal system alone, too often with negative consequences. Therefore legal needs can impose substantial financial burdens onto the low and medium income group in South Africa.

In criminal cases, a defendant facing the risk of incarceration is entitled to an attorney even if he or she cannot afford one. In most civil cases, however, a person is not entitled to an attorney, even though civil legal proceedings can affect things we hold - custody of our children, our physical safety, our ability to work and need for shelter, just to name a few.

The LegalAidServices.co.za website aims to make the South African legal system more accessible to the general public. With the high cost Attorney fees and people struggling to make their lives in a volatile economy, LegalAidServices.co.za is definitely a tool for people to research relevant legal information and understand their legal rights in South Africa.

In offering this service, the goal is neither to reflect personal views, nor to constitute legal, labour, criminal or union advice, but to provide our readers with the most up-to-date, relevant and comprehensive information in civil, labour and criminal matters and any new acts or laws that have been passed which can affect them.

According to the statistics in South Africa, during 2010 and 2011, approximately 2.1 million serous crime cases were registered in South Africa.[2]

In 2011, 11 475 (54.7%) of the 20 980 divorces had children younger than 18 years of age, where 37.4% were from the black African population group; 27.1% from the white population group and 20.2% from the coloured population group.[3]

In 2011, there were 154 279 labour dispute cases recorded at the CCMA, which is a 25% increase over the last 5 years.[4]

It is important for the general public to know their substantive rights, claims or defenses.

LegalAidServices.co.za can help the reader navigate their way through the complex laws and procedures through simple explanations. At times, these laws and procedures can be confusing even to those with formal education and economic means.

For more information, please visit http://www.legalaidservices.co.za

References:
[1] Monthly Earnings of South Africans 2010, Statistical Release P0211.2, http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P02112/P021122010.pdf
[2] Crime Report 2010/2011 South African Police Service, http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=150105
[3] Statistics South Africa P0307 Marriages and Divorces 2010, http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0307/P03072011.pdf
[4] CCMA Annual Report 2010-2011, Presentation to the selected committee on labour and public enterprises, 23 May 2012

  • Issue by:Legal Aid Services
  • Web:http://
  • City:Johannesburg - Gauteng - South Africa
  • Telephone:+27726040666
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