Parliament's Justice committee wants govt to fight for new BBBEE code to transform legal sector

CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s Justice Committee says it wants the government to fight tooth and nail against a legal challenge mounted against a new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment code aimed at transforming the legal sector. 

Global firm Norton Rose Fulbright launched the case earlier in January, arguing the targets set by Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau are unrealistic. 

At a media briefing in Parliament on Tuesday, Justice Committee chairperson Xola Nqola said the committee supports the new legal sector code prompted by unequal access to work for black legal professionals.

In its legal challenge against the State, Norton Rose Fulbright argues the new targets will impact its ability to attract local clients and practically extinguish its ability to obtain work directly from the State. 

Nqola said the committee supports the new legal sector code without reservations. 

“But, of course, that will actually step on the toes of those who are anti, and against transformation in the country, big NPOs, big law firms and everyone else who might have an interest in the matter.”

Nqola said the committee believes the code will contribute immensely to transformation in the legal profession. 

“We are calling upon the Department of Justice and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to go to court and fight fiercely to ensure no one removes that code.”

In the 70-page document published by the government in September, the policy has been justified by, amongst others, discrimination in quality work from the private sector, and unequal access to senior positions in large law firms.