Legal costs, in any country, can be crippling. The short and sweet of the story is to stay out of any trouble where you would require any legal assistance and think very carefully prior to entering into litigation with another party. A recent high profile case involving a VIP personage, resulted in him being found guilty of the charges laid against him and a legal bill of R17,6M

High legal costs, like the aforementioned, are not at all uncommon as the cases involve senior advocates with their research teams, and span 2 or more years- And then the courts are fully booked up with cases. Even though the Law Society sets the fees to be charged by attorneys, such fees are essentially for the basic tasks, like reading and replying to letters, the price of services in the transfer of property etc. When you and I receive the bills from these qualified individuals, it’s possible for us to faint at the prospect of paying these bills - and not the professionals that issue the bills. Be wiseinsure against any legal expense. You will find legal underwriters that will insure you for reasonable legal costs brought about by litigation. These costs are limited, of course, but it is infinitely much better than having to source thousands of Rands due to the fact your wife’s pretty little poodle happened to fancy a piece of the neighbour’s kid’s right calf for breakfast. These insurance plans are affordable and the insurance provider will refer you to a legal practitioner on their books. The ensuing bill (a specific amount per annum) is then settled by the insurer.

Getting involved in litigation of any sort requires substantial financial commitment on your behalf and should you lose the case, you’re more often than not held responsible for the legal costs of the opponent as well. The result is an unwanted double whammy, which could even have been prevented if you thought clearly and unemotionally on the matter in the first instance. But, of course, sometimes it becomes needed to enter into litigation, but do so with the full knowledge of all the feasible consequences of this sort of action. Unfortunately the high cost of legal action put numerous people in a position where justice simply isn’t done mainly because they can’t afford the legal costs to pursue justice. This means that the guilty person, who has the money, often escapes justice at the expense of the injured party.

So, give the Kaiser his due and pay your taxes, keep stones away from your young children and don’t let them handle any cricket ball near the neighbour’s huge picture windows. Be nice to the nasty traffic cop, and for heaven’s sake “say” to the dog “Do not get involved in any slinging matches with your in laws, simply because calling her names may perhaps land you in court and cost you plenty of money”. This might be especially true if the judge does not have a sense of humour and won’t accept your explanation of an unfortunate misspelled word utilized in describing your mother in law.

Categories : Lora's Posts