LPC standards upheld

Registration Status Mashiane Attorneys Inc. is duly registered with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) of South Africa under the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. The firm holds a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC) issued in terms of section 63 of the Act, which is renewed annually. The FFC confirms the firm is in good standing and is authorised to receive trust funds on behalf of clients. All attorneys employed at the firm are individually admitted as attorneys of the High Court of South Africa, enrolled with the LPC, and practise under their respective admission orders. Clients are encouraged to confirm the firm's registration before instructing us on any matter.

Professional Conduct All attorneys at Mashiane Attorneys Inc. are bound by the LPC's Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners (2019) and the Rules Regulating the Conduct of Proceedings of the High Court. The Code imposes obligations of honesty, integrity, competence, diligence, confidentiality, and undivided loyalty to the client. Attorneys must identify and disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest to the client immediately upon becoming aware of it. Correspondence must be timeous, clear, and in plain language where practicable. Each attorney undergoes annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training to maintain and advance their legal knowledge, in compliance with the LPC's requirement of 12 CPD credits per calendar year. The firm fosters a culture of ethical practice through regular internal compliance reviews and mentorship.

Regulatory Framework — Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 The Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014 (LPA) is the primary legislation governing the admission, enrolment, and regulation of legal practitioners in South Africa. The Act established the Legal Practice Council as a single unified regulatory body, replacing the former regional Law Society structures. The LPA requires all practising attorneys to hold a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate, maintain a trust account where trust funds are received, carry professional indemnity insurance, and submit to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the LPC. The Act also introduced community service requirements and imposes duties on law firms regarding transformation and access to justice. Mashiane Attorneys Inc. operates in full compliance with the LPA, the LPC Rules (2018), and all regulations and guidelines promulgated thereunder, including the Trust Account Guidelines issued by the LPC.

Compliance Standards Mashiane Attorneys Inc. implements the following core compliance procedures. Trust account management is conducted in strict accordance with the LPC's trust accounting rules, including monthly reconciliations and individual client trust ledger maintenance. The firm carries professional indemnity insurance at levels prescribed or recommended by the LPC. Annual external audits of both trust and business accounts are conducted by a qualified auditor as required under the LPA. A client intake and conflict-of-interest screening procedure is applied to all new instructions. Secure document management and file retention procedures are maintained consistent with LPC guidance. A formal complaints handling policy ensures that all client concerns are acknowledged promptly and resolved within reasonable timeframes. As LPC registration is currently being finalised, certain specific compliance details will be updated upon completion of that process.

Disciplinary Record Mashiane Attorneys Inc. maintains a clean disciplinary record with the Legal Practice Council. No complaints, disciplinary proceedings, or adverse findings have been lodged against the firm or any of its principals. The firm actively monitors its obligations to ensure continued compliance and has implemented preventative systems to minimise the risk of any client concerns arising. In the event that a client has a complaint about the conduct of any attorney at the firm, they are encouraged to first raise the matter directly with the managing principal. If the concern is not satisfactorily resolved, clients have the right to lodge a formal complaint with the LPC in accordance with Part VI of the LPC Rules. Clients may also approach the Legal Services Ombudsman where applicable.

Client Protection The LPC regulatory framework provides multiple layers of financial and legal protection for clients of legal practitioners. The Attorneys Fidelity Fund (AFF), established under the LPA, compensates clients who suffer financial loss as a direct result of theft of trust funds by an attorney. Mashiane Attorneys Inc. contributes to the AFF through its annual Fidelity Fund Certificate and maintains all client funds in a dedicated trust account that is entirely separate from the firm's business account. The firm holds professional indemnity insurance covering legal negligence claims, providing clients with financial recourse in the event of an error or omission. All client funds received are immediately allocated to the relevant client trust ledger and interest on trust funds is handled in strict compliance with the LPA. Clients may request a written statement of their trust account balance at any time.

Transparency and Verification Mashiane Attorneys Inc. is committed to full transparency regarding its regulatory standing. Clients, counterparties, and members of the public may verify the firm's LPC registration and Fidelity Fund Certificate status at any time through the LPC's official practitioner register at www.lpc.org.za. Upon written request, the firm will provide its LPC registration number, FFC number, and the name of its designated Information Officer. This page will be updated promptly whenever the firm's registration status, FFC details, or compliance position changes. As registration with the LPC is currently being finalised, certain specific details will be confirmed and added upon completion of that process. Compliance queries may be directed to the managing principal of the firm through the Contact Us page.