- Legal Aid lawyers carry overwhelming workloads daily, yet continue to deliver justice under pressure.
- Their work at grassroots level ensures access to justice for the poor and vulnerable.
- Despite criticism and systemic challenges, they remain essential to the transformation of the judiciary.
I met fellow legal practitioner Itumeleng Phalali for the second time recently. The first time I appeared at Smithfield Magistrate’s Court, he extended a brotherly hand, ushered me around, introduced me to court officials, and treated me with the respect that colleagues owe one another.
On that first encounter, we could not even take a photo. He said to me, “You fought in court for three hours just to secure your client.” I could tell he had observed how exhausted I was after that intense bail application, especially with strong opposition from the State and a Magistrate who gave me a particularly hard time for most of the proceedings. But this time, the atmosphere in court was calm and composed.
Our colleague is a Legal Aid-based legal practitioner, and after court we had a deeply engaging conversation. I shared a few words of inspiration and motivation with him. My engagement was rooted in genuine appreciation for the work he does, serving as a legal practitioner in rural areas and assisting the poor community of Smithfield.
The value of legal aid lawyers
The words I shared with him are meant for all Legal Aid-based legal practitioners.
I have immense respect for Legal Aid practitioners across the various courts I visit. They are assigned to specific courts and handle every matter allocated to them. I truly see them as some of the most energetic and organised legal practitioners in our system.
Being a Legal Aid lawyer, or what many refer to as a government lawyer, is one of the most honourable and admirable paths in the legal profession. The reason is simple. You deliver justice at the grassroots level of our country. You serve the poor, the vulnerable, and those who would otherwise have no voice in the legal system.
Legal Aid practitioners stand out because they operate under immense pressure, handling a multitude of files and matters daily. They maintain detailed diaries to coordinate their work with precision. They consult quickly and efficiently, often under tight time constraints, and are constantly required to produce affidavits for bail applications.
They are based in court, present day in and day out. They carry in their minds hundreds of files, each with different merits and clients. They do not have the luxury of forgetting files in the office. They live within the court system to such an extent that they become, in many ways, quasi court officials through their constant presence and contribution.
Foot soldiers of justice under pressure
Legal Aid lawyers are the real foot soldiers of justice. They are true ministers in the temple of justice. They drive the real transformation of the judiciary by ensuring that justice reaches the poor. Despite overwhelming workloads and constant pressure, they continue to do their best to serve.
Yet, people are quick to disrespect and undermine government lawyers, labelling them as incompetent or ineffective. Before criticising them, consider this. Many struggled to manage the pressure of six or seven subjects in matric. How then do these practitioners continue to perform at such a high level, with limited time for preparation and consultation, while handling countless matters?
I wish government lawyers would take pride in their work and celebrate their efforts. Be proud of your role in helping our people. Where criticism is valid, let it be corrected. But where the challenges stem from systemic issues, from the economic imbalance and poverty that overload the system, understand that you did not create those conditions.
I firmly believe that when government lawyers are given the opportunity to transition into private practice, they will excel. They will arrive well organised, with sharp advocacy skills, the ability to manage court pressure, and the resilience to deliver results with limited resources. They will respect clients for who they are, not what they can pay, and they will stand firm in the face of criticism.
To all my brothers and sisters working as government lawyers, we see your passion. We recognise the effort you put into your work despite the modest salaries. We are aware of the criticism you endure from both your clients and the public. We see that you are doing your best.
Keep up the great work of fighting for the poor. Those of you working in rural areas are true heroes and heroines.
In conclusion, your time will come. One day, you will stand on your own. For now, embrace the journey. Learn every lesson. Stay passionate and remain focused. Money, recognition, and success will follow in time. You are on the right path.
All the best to all Legal Aid-based lawyers.
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