LPC Amends Rules on Pupil Remuneration and Good Standing

Posted 17 April 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Legal Practice Council

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Legal Practice Council (LPC) has published urgent amendments to the rules issued under the Legal Practice Act, No. 28 of 2014, specifically concerning the financial entitlements of pupils and the criteria for professional good standing.

In terms of the newly gazetted amendments to Rule 22.1.1.1, every pupil undergoing practical vocational training in terms of a contract is now entitled to no less than such reasonable remuneration, allowances, or stipend (if any) as may be determined from time to time by the Council. This amendment is effective immediately upon publication.

The Council indicated that the amendment to the remuneration rule was processed as a matter of urgency, citing financial constraints arising from pending litigation that has impacted revenue streams. Due to this urgency, the LPC dispensed with the standard public consultation process usually required for rule changes. However, in accordance with regulatory procedures, any person aggrieved by this specific change has until 22 May 2026 to submit a formal complaint to the Council.

Definition of Good Standing

The notice further provides for amendments to the definition of ‘good standing’ within the regulatory framework. Unlike the remuneration amendment, the notice does not specify whether prior stakeholder consultation was conducted for this particular change. These amendments affect the following areas of practice:

  • The minimum financial entitlements for pupils under practical vocational training contracts.
  • The administrative requirements for practitioners to maintain a status of ‘good standing’ with the Council.
  • The Council’s discretionary power to set stipend levels from time to time.

As the Council has not yet released a consolidated version of the rules incorporating these latest changes, practitioners are advised to consult the official LPC website for the full list of historical and current amendments.

Click here to view the latest updates on the Legal Practice Council Rules page.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: You must review the amended definition of ‘good standing’ to ensure your current professional status remains compliant, as this status is often a prerequisite for appointments, certificates of balance, or acting roles.
  • For your business: Legal practices and chambers employing pupils must prepare to adjust payroll or allowance structures to align with any specific stipend amounts determined by the Council under the amended Rule 22.1.1.1.
  • For your clients: No direct compliance obligations for clients; however, the changes ensure a regulated minimum standard for the next generation of legal practitioners, potentially impacting the cost of junior counsel or candidate services.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/legal-practice-council-more-rule-changes-gazetted

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