Cave pecuniam: Lawyers as launderers

Abstract

In South Africa there is something almost sacrosanct about an attorney's trust account. It is the prescribed destination of all funds paid in trust by a client to an attorney. Clients tend to have complete confidence in the fact that their money is entrusted thus. Its very designation as trust money encourages such confidence. The trust account is also the account in respect of which the Attorneys Fidelity Fund requires an annual audit to determine if an attorney is awarded the Fidelity Fund Certificate which he requires to practise. All in all, the trust account is the barometer of the good standing of a law practice, and the index of its trustworthiness. Hence the aura of venerability which surrounds it.