On 23 October 2025, the Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA), at its Annual General Meeting, resolved to abolish the long-standing 97-day payment rule.
The 97-day rule meant that fees for services rendered by advocates became due only after 97 days. The rule had been the subject of ongoing criticism and lobbying, particularly from Advocates for Transformation, which argued that it disproportionately affected young and previously marginalised advocates.
The Johannesburg Bar had been the only Bar still applying the 97-day rule, whereas other Bars across the country had already adopted shorter payment periods. The Pretoria Society of Advocates, for example, operates on a 30-day payment period, while the Cape Bar has a 60-day payment rule.
The move has been widely welcomed by many advocates, who view it as a significant step towards financial fairness and inclusivity within the profession. However, some attorneys have expressed concern that they may not be able to collect fees from clients quickly enough to pay advocates within 30 days. This, they argue, could have unintended consequences potentially discouraging attorneys from briefing newer or less-established advocates in favour of those with whom they already have longstanding financial arrangements and trust.
