Legal Ethics
latest news & developments
There is No “AI” in the Courtroom
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly seen as a cheaper alternative to professional services, but when it comes to legal advice, the risks of relying on AI are significant.…
Inquiry battles to find witnesses
Evidence leaders compelled to ask for a postponement
Andrew Chauke acted outside prosecutorial jurisdiction, says NPA boss Shamila Batohi
The national director of public prosecutions said the suspended Gauteng director of public prosecutions’ actions in a KwaZulu-Natal case were politically motivated
Mbenenge says flirtatious texts with his accuser were sensual, not sexual
The Eastern Cape judge president denied sending nude photos and argued that text message exchanges with his accuser, Andiswa Mengo, reflected mutual interest, not harassment
Judge president’s emoji expert disputes accuser’s claims
The defence focused on challenging the sexual harassment allegations, arguing Selby Mbenenge’s interactions with former court secretary Andiswa Mengo were consensual
Judge Selby Mbenenge’s former secretary says he was at the bank during alleged flashing incident
Zintle Nkqayi worked as Mbenenge’s secretary from 2020 until she resigned in April 2025, citing bad treatment by colleagues who supported his sexual harassment accuser, Andiswa…
Gender expert biased towards judge president Mbenenge, lawyer says
Mbenenge’s counsel Muzi Sikhakhane said his sexual harassment accuser Andiswa Mengo did not fit gender expert Lisa Vetten’s description of a woman who could not stand up for…
Expert says power imbalances shaped Mengo’s response to alleged sexual harassment by judge
Gender-based violence specialist Lisa Vetten tells a tribunal the complainant used ‘different strategies to communicate reluctance and unwillingness’
Judicial tribunal forces legal community to rethink sexual harassment
Experts say sexual harassment remains pervasive in South Africa’s legal system, especially among candidate attorneys and court secretaries
Mbenenge tribunal postponed as lawyers argue relevance of gender expert
A dispute over gender expert Lisa Vetten’s testimony in judicial misconduct has forced the tribunal to postpone, allowing the respondent time to study the evidence summary report
Female & Guardian | Andiswa Mengo and the judge who could not read between the lines
This week’s testimony explored whether Mengo’s WhatsApp replies reflected the careful diplomacy women use to reject senior officials without risking their careers
Urgent need for clear policy on sexual harassment in legal sector
An independent, rigorous process for investigating complaints of abuse of power of a sexual nature must be set up to provide guidance for tribunal investigations