The need for recognition and regulation of paralegals: an analysis of the roles, training, remuneration and impact of community-based paralegals in South Africa

Abstract

English: This article seeks to critically analyse the role of community-based paralegals (CBPs), mainly within a South African context. Having defined CBPs, it focuses on the roles, functions and qualifications required of CBPs in South Africa. The current lack of statutory recognition and regulation of CBPs in the country and proposals for future recognition and regulation are considered. This article briefly refers to examples of paralegal work and regulation in other countries. Arguments for and against the statutory recognition and regulation of CBPs within the legal profession are discussed. The article warns against over-regulation of the paralegal profession, but nonetheless calls for legislative recognition and regulation to provide the impetus for further expansion and development of existing paralegal programmes. CBPs are found to play a pivotal role in improving access to justice, particularly within the poor and rural commun ities in which they operate.

Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel probeer om die rol van gemeenskapsgebaseerde regassistente (GGRAs) krities te ontleed, hoofsaaklik binne ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Nadat GGRAs gedefinieer is, is die fokus op die rol, funksies en kwalifikasies wat vereis word van GGRAs in Suid-Afrika. Die huidige gebrek aan statutêre erkenning en regulering van GGRAs in die land en voorstelle vir toekomstige erkenning en regulering word oorweeg. Hierdie artikel verwys kortliks na voorbeelde van die werk van regassistente en die regulering daarvan in ander lande. Argumente vir en teen die statutêre erkenning en regulering van GGRAs binne die regsberoep word bespreek. Die artikel waarsku teen oor-regulering van die paralegal beroep, maar maak tog ‘n oproep vir wetgewende erkenning en regulering vir verdere uitbreiding en ontwikkeling van bestaande paralegal programme. GGRAs het ʼn deurslaggewende rol om te speel in die verbetering van toegang tot die regstelsel, veral in die arm en landelike gemeenskappe waarin hulle bedrywig is.