To ensure access to justice and the realisation of the right of a person to have legal representation as envisaged in the Constitution and to render or make legal aid and legal advice available; for that purpose to establish an entity called Legal Aid South Africa with a Board of Directors and to define its objects, powers, functions, duties and composition; to provide for the independence and impartiality of Legal Aid South Africa; to provide for the appointment of the Board of Directors and qualification for membership thereof; to provide for the appointment of a chairperson and a deputy chairperson; to provide for the term of appointment of a member of the Board of Directors; to provide for the termination of membership of the Board of Directors; to provide for meetings of the Board of Directors, quorum and procedure; to provide for the establishment of committees by the Board of Directors; to provide for the delegation of powers and the assignment of duties or functions of the Board of Directors; to provide for the appointment of a chief executive officer and his or her functions; to provide for the appointment of employees and the designation of certain officials as agents of Legal Aid South Africa and their terms and conditions of employment; to provide for the protection of client privilege in certain circumstances; to provide for the recovery of costs by Legal Aid South Africa; to provide for the finances of Legal Aid South Africa; to provide for the provision of legal aid by direction of courts in criminal matters; to provide for the making of regulations; to provide for the compilation of a Legal Aid Manual; to provide for the amendment or repeal of laws; to provide for transitional arrangements; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.

Parliament of the Republic of South Africa enacts as follows:—