No. You are not liable for any extra fees except when the appointed Lawyer does not agree to work in terms of the LegalWise Schedule of Tariffs, where we do not provide Confirmation of Cover, or where maximum cover available has been exhausted.

The Claim Value Multiplier is utilised to determine the maximum amount of legal expenses we are willing to pay per matter, which is twice the value of the existing claim by you, limited by the maximum benefit of your Membership. It exists to encourage acceptance of reasonable offers of settlement. It avoids disproportionate legal expenses when there is a risk of either a very small or no reward.

The Member will have 90 days from the date of the Repudiation to advise us in writing that they object and do not agree with the repudiation. If the repudiation is based on non-payment of premiums, then our decision will be final. If the repudiation is based on any other reason, then LegalWise will send the objection to an Independent External Referee to review the repudiation and make a recommendation. Should the Member still not agree with our repudiation then the Member has 365 days to institute action against LegalWise at their own cost. The Member is also entitled to lodge a complaint with the Short-Term Insurance Ombudsman.

The current set up of the legal profession in South Africa does not permit Lawyers other than those in private practice (enrolled as a practising Attorney or Advocate) to appear in Court. We therefore, do not represent Members in court, but pay Practising Lawyers legal expenses in terms of the Membership Agreement to represent our Members in Court.

You may instruct a Lawyer of your choice. The Lawyer must submit a claim to LegalWise for assessment. Should cover be provided, we will only be liable for the Lawyers fees as per the LegalWise Membership conditions and tariffs.

The amount provided in the Confirmation of Cover is the maximum amount of Legal Expenses payable. Legal expenses insurance covers the legal costs that would be incurred in the pursuit or defence of a legal dispute by a Member or against a Member. This means that when a legal dispute arises or when there is an infringement of a Member's rights, then we pay a lawyer's costs (either an Attorney and/or an Advocate) to assist the Member in protecting and enforcing their rights. The legal expenses incurred are paid strictly in terms of the LegalWise tariffs only.

Attorneys provide a service from the day the instructions are received. They are permitted to provide interim invoices to settle the fees in respect of the services they have already rendered. It is only when the court or tribunal has granted the Applicant/Plaintiff's relief that the money awarded by the court or tribunal be recovered from the other party. This process may be protracted given to the nature of the court procedures and existing court backlogs. As a result, this may potentially mean that an Attorney could be paid for services prior to the client receiving the settlement of his/her claim.