How to check an attorney is on the roll before you instruct them

You've found an attorney who seems right for your contract work. Before you hand over money or sensitive documents, you need to confirm they're actually registered to practise law in South Africa. This isn't paranoia — it's the baseline check that takes ten minutes and protects you from unlicensed operators or people who've lost their right to practise.

Check the Law Society of South Africa roll online

The Law Society maintains a public register of all practising attorneys. Go to the Law Society website and search their attorney roll by name. You'll see their registration number, the province they're admitted in, and whether their practising certificate is current. If they don't appear in that search, they are not registered. Full stop. Do not proceed.

If they do appear, write down their registration number — you'll use it to verify what you learn next. Check the date on their practising certificate. Attorneys must renew annually, so an expired certificate means they cannot legally take instructions.

Ask for their certificate and ask them to verify it

Before your first meeting or email exchange, message them directly and ask for a copy of their current practising certificate. A legitimate attorney will send it without hesitation — they expect this question. If they deflect, claim it's "just a formality", or offer to "explain" instead of sending the document, that's a red flag.

When you receive it, cross-check the registration number against the online roll. Confirm the certificate hasn't expired. If they're about to renew, ask when the new one will be active. You want to instruct someone who is covered now, not "soon".

Phone a previous client or two

Ask the attorney for contact details of two clients they've worked with on similar contracts. A good attorney will have references they're comfortable sharing. Call those people and ask specific questions: Did the attorney deliver on time? Were there hidden costs? Did they explain the contract clearly? Did they follow up when problems arose?

If they're reluctant to give references, or if the people you reach say they felt rushed or confused, reconsider. You're about to rely on this person's competence on a document that could bind you for years.

Confirm their professional indemnity insurance

Attorneys are required to carry professional indemnity insurance. Ask them directly: "Can you confirm you're covered by professional indemnity insurance and provide me with the insurer and policy details?" This matters because if something goes wrong — a missed deadline, bad advice, a clause they missed — you have recourse.

They should be able to tell you the insurer's name and give you policy details without fuss. If they seem unsure or evasive, that's concerning. You're not asking for anything unreasonable; this is standard.

Look at what they put in writing

Before you instruct them, ask for a brief letter or email setting out their fees, scope of work, and timeframe. How they communicate tells you a lot. Do they spell your name correctly? Is the letter clear or full of jargon they don't explain? Do they acknowledge what you've actually asked for, or are they offering a generic service?

A professional attorney will confirm in writing what they're doing, how much it will cost, and when you can expect it. This protects both of you.

Move forward with confidence

Once you've ticked these boxes — verified their roll registration, seen their current practising certificate, spoken to past clients, and confirmed their insurance — you can move forward knowing they're legitimate and have skin in the game.

If you're hunting for an attorney to draft or review a contract, Strove lets you compare verified legal practitioners in your province, read real client feedback, and request quotes before you commit. The vetting work is done; your job is to choose the right fit.