BY:Saneliso Mlambo
A corporate lawyer is under investigation by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and the police for allegedly falsifying a Labour Court judgment. This development follows a series of incidents highlighting concerns over legal practitioners’ misconduct and the LPC’s oversight efficacy.
In May 2020, GroundUp reported that attorney Lesley Ramulifho had allegedly forged documents in court papers filed against them. The LPC dismissed GroundUp’s complaint in October 2020. However, the Supreme Court of Appeal later rejected Ramulifho’s application for leave to appeal, prompting the LPC to reopen the investigation.
In January 2025, another law firm, Surendra Singh and Associates, faced scrutiny for allegedly using Google and artificial intelligence to source non-existent legal citations in court proceedings. The court directed that a copy of the judgment be forwarded to the LPC for further action.
The LPC has previously faced criticism for delayed responses to attorney misconduct. In mid-2024, the Legal Services Ombud lambasted the LPC for its inadequate action against legal malpractice, emphasizing the need for systemic reform within South Africa’s legal oversight mechanisms.
As investigations into the corporate lawyer’s alleged misconduct proceed, stakeholders await updates on the LPC’s actions and any potential reforms to enhance accountability within the legal profession.