Law Society of Zimbabwe

The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) is the law society responsible for representing and regulating how lawyers and law firms operate in Zimbabwe. It is mandated to observe the rule of law in the justice system.^[1][2][3]

Law Society Zimbabwe

Formation	1981; 44 years ago (1981)
Type	Professional organisation
Headquarters	Harare, Zimbabwe
Region served	Zimbabwe
President	Wellington Magaya
Vice President	Rumbidzai Matambo

The Law Society of Zimbabwe was established in 1981. Its membership is drawn from all registered legal practitioners in Zimbabwe in private practice, commerce and civil service.

Functions of the Law Society

• Regulate the solicitors' profession in respect of continuing training, discipline and trust accounts
• Promote justice, defend human rights, rule of law and the independence of the judiciary system
• To contribute, undertake or make recommendations on legal training
• Represent the solicitors' profession and articulate its views on various issues
• Control of admission of new members to the solicitors' profession
• To curb corruption in the legal system

Anti-corruption activities

The LSZ plays an active role against corruption and the organisation participated in building the capacity of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on the legal aspects of investigating corruption in the Zimbabwe justice sector. The society also committed to capacitating registered lawyers and law firms in the area of anti-corruption, anti-bribery, fraud and asset tracing.^[4][5][6]

Law Society of Zimbabwe also partnered with Judicial Services Commission of Zimbabwe, Messenger of Court and Sheriff's Office to form Against Corruption Together (ACT), an initiative created to fight against corruption in the justice delivery system.^[7]

Structure

Law Society of Zimbabwe elect representatives to sit on the Society's Council, the governing body. The Society's president and the vice president hold office for two years. The current president is Wellington Magaya who was installed on 1 February 2021 and Rumbidzai Matambo is the vice president.^[8][9]

Immediate past presidents

• Thandazani Masiye-Moyo 2019 ^[10]
• Misheck Hogwe 2017 ^[11]
• Vimbai Nyemba 2015 ^[12]
• Lloyd Mhishi 2013 ^[13]
• Tinoziva Bere 2011 ^[14]
• Josphat Tshuma 2009 ^[15]

Beatrice Mtetwa

• Joseph James 2005^[16][17]
• Sternford Moyo^[18]

References

1. "'Harassment of lawyers unacceptable' - #Asakhe". CITE. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
2. "Law society slams Chamisa".
3. "Law Society Of Zimbabwe Drafs Model Constitution". Voazimbabwe.com. 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
4. "Law Society Warns Fraudulent Law Firm". 3 November 2020.
5. "Law Society bars 40 lawyers from practising". Bulawayo 24. 25 May 2018.
6. "Legal aid companies duping clients". 16 August 2014.
7. Neasa MacErlean (2015-01-22). "A third of Zimbabwe lawyers under investigation by Law Soc". The Global Legal Post. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
8. "Law Society of Zimbabwe elects new president". 3 February 2021.
9. "Wellington Magaya elected Law Society of Zimbabwe president". Zbc News. 2021-02-01. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
10. "Law Society of Zimbabwe appoints new boss".
11. "Lawyers challenged". 18 December 2017.
12. "Law Society of Zimbabwe gets new president".
13. "ASUN.ZW Company Profile & Executives - African Sun LTD. - Wall Street Journal".
14. "New Law Society of Zimbabwe President – CFU Zimbabwe". Cfuzim.com. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
15. "Zimbabwe's Influential Law Society Weighs in on Constitution | Voice of America - English". Voanews.com. 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
16. "Top lawyer Joseph James mourned". 30 June 2015.
17. "Zimbabwe Accuses Legal Society of Prejudging Election | Voice of America - English". Voanews.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
18. "Zimbabwe's Moyo takes up IBA presidency | Law Society of Scotland". Lawscot.org.uk. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-06-18.