06 Jul 2021

There are 76 foreign attorneys practicing in Botswana, Parliament heard Monday. 

“Advocates from South Africa are permitted on a case by case basis to represent clients in Botswana courts.” 

Thus, Minister Mmusi said. Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi, said in response to a parliamentary question.

Mr Mmusi also told parliament that like any other economic pursuit available within the country in every industry and profession, foreign attorneys were required to apply for work and/or residence permits to practice in Botswana. 

Such mechanism, he said ensured effective control on the people that sought to work in the Botswana market. 

Mr Mmusi said the number of advocates so far permitted to represent clients was low as shown in the statistics that six foreign advocates were admitted in January from South Africa, one in February, four in March, one in May and two in June. 

He further said neither the ministry nor the Law Society of Botswana were aware of Botswana citizens who were not allowed to or had difficulties practicing in South Africa and other neighbouring countries. 

Meanwhile, he indicated that a review of the Legal Practitioners Act was ongoing and at an advanced stage, with a particular focus on the eligibility of foreign advocates to practice in Botswana. 

The minister was answering questions from Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi, who wanted to know the number of foreign attorneys permitted to practice in Botswana. 

He also asked if the ministry and the Law Society of Botswana were aware that some neighbouring countries did not allow Batswana attorneys to practice in their countries while some made it difficult to do so. 

Mr Ramogapi also wanted to know what the ministry was doing to address the imbalance. ENDS