Legal services are provided by lawyers and law firms and include preparation of legal documents, client representation, and consultation.
Get Law offers affordable legal services to South Africans via their online platform
The entire business is digital, and the savings as a result of not being burdened with the hassles of traditional SME expenses like large rental overheads, etc, are passed onto their clients. Saving on costs is an important aspect to Get Law as they branch out into providing a much-needed service to South Africans.
Launching in April 2024, Get Law is an online legal services platform that using online services to cater to the growing demand of local consumers during the era of micro-transactions.
The impacts of Covid-19 led to the innovative creation of this startup, a network of digital and legal professionals saw the opportunity to enable their services digitally rather than succumb to the financial terrors of the pandemic.
As many businesses and professionals have molded their offering as they adapt to the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the pandemic, the founders were inspired by the use of digital services in enabling them to provide a service. The opportunity to leverage off digital skills from one of the founders made this a complex concept but one that was fairly simple to execute.
With many lawyers facing retrenchment or losing their job, Get Law has provided a much-needed employment opportunity to this sector.
Ensuring that all legal professionals providing their services through Get Law, each member is registered and a qualified attorney with experience in a range of legal matters from civil litigation, labor and employment matters, family law, and more. The sessions are conducted digitally via chat, phone call or video call, allowing Get Law to abide and work through the social distancing rules applied.
Being in a position to be able to give back is a core value entrenched in the Get Law business philosophy. As this is integral to the business model, Get Law initially offered free legal advice sessions to potential customers by simply accessing the online portal and applying a promo code.
Down to business
Since the launch in May 2024, Get Law has garnered a wide range of clientele, mainly African black females in the lower-income band and those aged between 25-54 years. Get Law claims that the mobile visits to their service account for over 90% of their traffic.
Compared to the traditional firm format, Get Law has no hidden costs in its service offering and customers are ablet o select their product online. Their offering includes an affordable 15-minutes legal consultation to the drafting of complex legal contracts. Clients can pay securely via credit card or EFT.
Freelance attorneys who would like to join the panel at getting Law are encouraged to submit their applications to partnerships@getlaw.co.za.
Local startup offers affordable legal services during Covid-19
A South African startup, Get Law has created a platform aiming to simplify access to much-needed legal by allowing users to access registered attorneys at a reduced rate.
Founded by two brothers and dynamic duo, Ya’eesh CAder and Youshaa Cader, the team is comprised of seven contracted freelance attorneys with two shareholders.
Investing in the company with their capital amounting to R2 500, the founders have created a new and innovative system to allow South Africans with easier access to legal representation and advice.
Getting Legal Assistance In South Africa
If you cannot afford the services of an attorney there are various options:
Legal Aid South Africa
Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys; administered by the Legal Practice Council Other organizations offering pro bono legal services
Legal Aid South Africa
Legal Aid South Africa derives its mandate from s 35 of the Constitution. In terms of this section, every person who is arrested, detained or accused has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right to have a legal practitioner assigned by the State and at State expense. Legal Aid South Africa’s role is to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford their own legal representation.
This includes poor people and vulnerable groups such as women, children and the rural poor. Legal Aid SA applies a ‘means test’ to see whether you qualify in terms of what you earn. For example, employed individuals must earn less than R5 500 per month after tax has been taken off to qualify for legal aid.
Click here to access the Legal Aid South Africa website.
Click here to view whether you qualify for legal aid from Legal Aid South Africa.
Pro bono (free) legal services by attorneys
Pro bono is administered by the Legal Practice Council where attorneys are registered.
How do you qualify for a pro bono (free) attorney?
To qualify for free legal assistance, a person must comply with a ‘means test’ (a maximum monthly or no income) and have a legal problem with merit. You will be referred to an attorney by the Legal Practice Council who will assist you free of charge (pro bono).
If a referral is made to a pro bono attorney, the client is responsible only for the cost of disbursements (actual expenses), such as Sheriffs’ fees, and the attorney will not charge any fees for the work and legal services provided.
How much does it cost to consult a lawyer in South Africa?
21.72% answered that they charged between R1000 and R1500 per hour, 39.70% charged between R1500 and R2000 per hour and 11.24% saying they charged more than R2000.
How much do lawyers charge to draft a contract in South Africa?
pdf ; 1.5 Drafting of Contracts: R 3 500.00 to 15 000.00 depending on length, complexity and number of amendments; 1.6 Simple will: R 1 000.00 maximum; 1.7 Administration of a deceased estate: 3.5% of the gross value of the estate; 1.8 You are referred also to clause 3 of our mandate agreement that you would have
How can I get legal advice in South Africa?
For legal advice and assistance with appointments and legal aid applications, you can call the toll-free Advice Line on 0800 110 110 or send a Please Call Me to 079 835 7179. Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm and Fridays, 8am-3pm.
What services does Legal Wise offer in South Africa?
Legal Wise provides Paralegal services in our Branches, over the phone, via our new video consultation service, e-mail or WhatsApp and will pay the legal fees for a lawyer to represent you and your family, including your spouse or life partner and children in legal proceedings.