Advocates face being struck off the roll

Twelve Pretoria advocates found guilty of misconduct and double-billing are fighting for their own careers in the Pretoria High Court.

The 12, found guilty by the Pretoria Bar's ethics committee for dealing with two or more clients a day and overcharging, are facing an application by the General Council of the Bar to have them struck off the roll.

Though they have already been punished following investigations by the ethics committee, the council said the move to have them disbarred was not about punishment, but about protecting the integrity of the profession.

Senior advocate Epstein Hilton, who represents the council, said having them struck off the roll was in the interest of the public and to ensure that the public regains confidence in the advocacy.

"We want to apply the law and try to contain the integrity of the profession. It cannot be professional for one to perform their duties while bridging the rules of the practice," he said.

"You cannot give your attention to two matters a day, it would be impossible to be dedicated to your clients. It is [prejudicial] to accept a matter while you know you can't do it."

The bar's stance is that its members must charge reasonable fees and if advocates take on more than one case a day, they should adjust their fees accordingly.

The 12 advocates - all experts in Road Accident Found matters - were suspended for periods ranging from four weeks to six months and fined between R16000 and R200 000.

While most of the advocates had earlier pleaded guilty before a disciplinary committee, many felt victimised, saying the charges were hanging over their heads for some time and they wanted to move on with their lives.