Procedures vary depending on the professional or service point involved. See the relevant sections below and follow the official links for the most accurate and current information.
- Legal Practitioner (Attorney / Advocate)
All legal practitioners in South Africa are regulated by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) under the Legal Practice Act, 2014 (LPA). Complaints can be lodged for professional misconduct, negligence, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, breach of confidentiality, etc.
- Try to resolve the issue directly with your practitioner first.
- Download and complete the LPC complaint form from their website.
- Submit it (with all evidence) through the online portal or to your provincial LPC office (regardless of where the practitioner is based).
- The LPC will acknowledge, investigate (with specimen and responses), and may impose disciplinary actions.
For concerns about dishonest or fraudulent lawyer conduct—including misappropriation of funds—use the Trustline hotline run by the Law Society of South Africa and Attorneys Fidelity Fund: 0800 202 036 or trustline@tip-off.com
- Prosecutor – National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
If you wish to complain about the conduct of a prosecutor, contact the NPA’s dedicated hotline: 0800 21 25 80 (operated by an independent organisation, available 24/7, accepts anonymous reports)
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
To lodge a complaint about police conduct, use one of the following channels:
- SAPS website complaint portal
- Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) – the oversight body responsible for investigating police misconduct
- Court Officials & State Agencies
- Sheriffs: Complaints go to the South African Board for Sheriffs.
- Magistrates: Through the Magistrates Commission.
- Judges: Through the Judicial Service Commission.
- Court or Master’s Office staff: Use the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s designated process for court service complaints.
- Public Protector
If your complaint involves maladministration or improper conduct by a public official, you may lodge it with the Office of the Public Protector, a constitutionally mandated institution independent of government.
