NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

STAFF WRITER | Tuesday September 10, 2024 10:51

 

NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

10th September 2024

DEVELOPING TREND OF OFFERING DISCOUNTS ON CONVEYANCING FEES

The Law Society of Botswana has observed that there is a developing trend of legal practitioners advertising discounts on the conveyancing services they offer.

Members of the public are by this notice advised of the following provisions:

Per Regulation 7 of the Deeds Registry (Conveyancers and Notaries Public) (Fees and Charges) Regulations;

Charging of higher or lower fees is prohibited

No conveyancer or notary public shall, in respect of any conveyancing or notarial work done by him or her, charge fees which are higher or lower than those prescribed in the Schedule hereto.

A conveyancer or notary public who contravenes subregulation (1) shall be guilty of professional misconduct as described in rule 3(e) of the Cap. 69:01 (Sub.Leg.) Legal Practitioners (Misconduct) Rules.

The offering of discounted conveyancing fees is not only unlawful but unethical and breaches the Deeds Registry Act, the Legal Practitioners Act as well as the Regulations of the Law Society of Botswana.

By notice of the 6th August 2024, the Society’s members were reminded of the above.

The Society therefore informs members of the public of the aforementioned provisions and urges them to assist in compliance by refraining from participating in this unlawful act.