What does justice cost in South Africa? A research method towards affordable legal services. Issue 3 (3rd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klaaren, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: South African journal on human rights. Volume 35:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03
• Subjects: Access to justice -- costs -- South African Law Reform Commission -- economic activity; Human rights -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Civil rights -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Droits de l'homme -- Afrique du Sud -- Périodiques; Civil rights; Human rights; Mensenrechten; South Africa; 6.680; Law reviews; Periodicals; 323.40968
• DOI: 10.1080/02587203.2019.1662326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0258-7203

Abstract

Abstract: Access to justice is not a reality for most South Africans. While it is not the only factor, a significant part of this situation is due to the high cost of legal services. This article outlines and justifies a research method to assess legal costs for the South African and other populations. The proposed research method divides the population into three bands based on economic resources: the poor, the wealthy, and those in between. In each of these three bands, the article preliminarily surveys the costs currently pertaining to legal services in civil justice matters in South Africa.