Cost of justice undermining constitutional democracy, commission finds
A commission has found that access to justice in South Africa is beyond the reach of most people.
The South African Law Reform Commission has concluded its investigation into legal fees, including access to justice and other interventions.
"People's ability to access the system of justice is largely dependent on their ability to access the legal system, lawyers and to take their justiciable disputes to a court of law or to any tribunal that can resolve them," says Justice Jody Kollapen, who is the chairperson of the commission.
"But increasingly, the cost of justice has simply put that right beyond reach of many. In turn, it undermines the very idea of a constitutional democracy that can be held up saying that we are all equal before the law."
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The commission handed its report to Justice Minister Ronald Lamola on Tuesday.
Lamola says it's necessary for the law to be reviewed.
"The laws that apply in a country must be dynamic and subject to regular review and improvement when the need arises.
"As society changes, so must the law, constantly improving, asking what works and doesn't and how it can be improved. It must be monitored and followed by extensive research and proper consultative processes."
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