The Black Lawyers Association (BLA) is a voluntary association of black lawyers in South Africa. It co-exists with statutory bodies governing the legal profession. The BLA was formed in the 1970’s for the purpose of resisting prosecution of black lawyers who practised law in the Central Business Districts (CBD) of the so-called white towns. No black lawyer was allowed to practise his or her craft in these towns as this contravened the famous Group Areas Act No.35 of 1966, a mean piece of legislation that regulated where South Africans should live and work.
The student chapter is dedicated to the improvement of the legal profession and is committed to the effective management and development of human potential in accordance with its values and to the promotion of an egalitarian and equitable social order.
We aim to empower fresh minds in the legal field with the extensive knowledge that will help to empower them in the future through a series of educational activities during the course of the year. The student chapter promotes transformation and transparency. It aims at closing the gap between previously disadvantaged law students by promoting non-sexism and non-racism. We intend to create a line of communication between students and the legal profession and promote integration between the two.
To uphold, protect the rights and interests of lawyers. The organisation is dedicated to the improvement of the legal profession and is committed to the effective management and development of human potential in accordance with its values and to the promotion of an egalitarian and equitable social order.
