Mr Jeffery said that a domestic worker would need to work two days before earning enough to see a lawyer for 15 minutes. New tariffs have just been announced, according to SowetanLive. Speaking to a lawyer on the phone for 15 minutes in relation to a High Court matter would cost about £15 (Rand 235). However, Johannesburg lawyer Michael de Broglio told the newspaper that rates were falling behind inflation. For less than an hour's drafting work on a simple matter, the cost would be £250 to £500. he said: 'It would cost you about R2500 to R5000 to draft a standard, simple motion application,' he said.

New legislation

The government is pushing ahead with a Legal Practice Bill which Mr Jeffery hopes will be passed before the general election is due in early summer 2014.