DocumentClosedpublication
SIU-Firm-Notice-27-July-2026
Legal Practice CouncilRef: https://lpc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SIU-Firm-Notice-27-July-2026.pdf
Official source
Source domain: lpc.org.za
Collected on 2 August 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This is a notice letter dated 27 July 2026 from the Legal Practice Council (LPC) National Office to legal practitioners. It addresses complaints about whether the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) can be registered as a law firm and have its employees placed on the practising roll, following an SIU letter to the Johannesburg Society of Advocates dated 6 June 2026. The LPC explains that SIU members who are admitted attorneys/advocates may perform legal work under section 5(9) of the SIU Act, but that the SIU is not a law firm as envisaged in section 34(7) of the Legal Practice Act. The LPC confirms the earlier position in the 6 June 2026 SIU letter is incorrect, that no law firm is registered as the SIU, and that the administrative entry of the SIU into the LPC system as a law firm has been withdrawn; SIU is therefore not permitted to directly brief advocates.
Facts
Places
City of Johannesburg, Gauteng
Reference
https://lpc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SIU-Firm-Notice-27-July-2026.pdf
Key Takeaways
- Issuing body: Legal Practice Council (LPC) National Office
- Date: 27 July 2026
- Subject: Establishment of an in-house law firm by the SIU
- Reference to SIU letter to Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA): 06 June 2026
- Legal basis cited: s5(9) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act)
- Legal Practice Act reference: s34(7) (SIU not a law firm as envisaged)
- Clarification: SIU members admitted as attorneys/advocates may represent SIU in courts/tribunals under SIU Act
- Action taken: administrative entry of SIU into LPC system as a law firm withdrawn
- Consequence: SIU not permitted to directly brief advocates
- Signature/Name: Pule Seleka SC (Chairperson)
- Legal Practice Council (LPC)
- Special Investigation Unit (SIU)
- South African Legal Practice Council (SALPC)
- Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA)
- Gauteng Provincial Council
- Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act)
- Legal Practice Act (LPA)
Dates
Closing Date
6 June 2026