Govt launches forum to reduce litigation costs by 70%
Government wants to reduce state litigation costs by 70% , default judgments by 100% and recover 100% in legal costs.
This through the intergovernmental state litigation forum launch on Friday.
The forum consists of heads of the state attorney offices, and heads of legal services within the state departments.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said this urgent step to ensuring government takes better control of its litigation process.
"The legal fees for national and provincial spheres of government over the past five financial years amount to approximately R7 billion. The contingent liability resulting from claim against the state proper to the proclamation of the state attorney amendment act 2014 still needs to be fully interrogated," said Ramaphosa.
The auditor-general reported that the contingent liability was sitting at R147 billion for the 2020/21 financial year
But Ramaphosa said coordination within government alone was not enough.
He said ensuring there is efficient and proper service delivery would reduce the number of times South Africans sue government.
