Clear expectations.
From the outset.

1. Nature of the website

African Lawyers Association is a pan-African legal and advisory network connecting enquirers with independent attorneys, legal practitioners and legal advisors. It is not a statutory bar association, regulatory authority or a single law firm admitted to practise throughout Africa. The use of "association" does not, by itself, indicate statutory recognition.

2. No advice or automatic engagement

Website content describes enquiry categories and the connection process. It is not legal advice, a legal opinion or a recommendation about the merits of any particular matter. Submitting a form does not appoint a legal professional, create a mandate, establish a lawyer-client relationship or confirm that any practitioner has agreed to act.

A practitioner must independently address admission, competence, conflicts, identification requirements, capacity, scope and fees before accepting an engagement. Legal services are provided under that practitioner's separate terms, not merely by virtue of a referral through this site.

3. No guarantee of availability or outcome

A location or practice area listed on the website is an enquiry-routing option, not a statement that the network has a verified member, office or immediate capacity there. No introduction, acceptance of instructions, response time or legal outcome is guaranteed. Any map is illustrative and is not a statement of political boundaries or confirmed professional coverage.

4. Urgent matters and deadlines

This is not an emergency service. Enquirers remain responsible for obtaining timely assistance and protecting applicable deadlines. Marking a request urgent does not create an undertaking to respond within a stated period or suspend a limitation period, hearing, filing requirement or other deadline.

5. Budgets and fees

A USD budget is an indicative enquiry field only. It is not a quote, acceptance of a fee, or confirmation that services are available at that price. Scope, fees, taxes, disbursements, deposits and payment currency must be agreed directly with the relevant legal practitioner or advisor. No payment facility is provided on this website. Any separate network charges, should they apply, must be disclosed and agreed before they are incurred.

6. Limited initial information

Provide accurate contact details and a brief, non-confidential outline. Do not submit confidential evidence or sensitive personal records. The website does not undertake to treat an initial enquiry as legally privileged. Read the Privacy Notice before submitting information.

7. Applications, professional categories and approval

Every applicant attorney, legal practitioner and legal advisor must pass the network's application, credential, experience and professional-suitability assessment before listing or referral. Applicants must provide accurate information, supporting evidence and references as requested, disclose relevant restrictions, and notify the network of material changes. Legal advisors must substantiate their permitted advisory scope and may not represent themselves as admitted attorneys without verified admission. Network approval is not statutory accreditation, a licence to practise, an objective ranking or a guarantee of work or outcome. Profile publication requires separate approval and consent.

8. Professional independence

Each practitioner remains responsible for their professional conduct, advice and services. Enquirers should verify relevant credentials and engagement terms. Any complaint about a practitioner's legal services should be addressed to that practitioner and, where appropriate, the relevant professional body. These terms do not exclude rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded.

9. Appropriate use

Do not use the forms for misleading applications, unsolicited advertising, malicious content, impersonation or unlawful activity. The website may limit submissions or decline requests that cannot appropriately be handled. Technical submission confirmation is not confirmation that the intended email recipient has read or accepted the request.

10. Contact and applicable arrangements

Questions about this website can be directed through the contact page. The law and dispute-resolution arrangements applicable to a practitioner's services must be addressed in that practitioner's engagement. These website terms do not select a universal law or court for every African jurisdiction.

11. Practice administration and feeing support

The network administrator may provide agreed administrative services to attorneys, legal practitioners and legal advisors under a separate written mandate. The mandate must specify the parties, permitted tasks, confidentiality and data-handling arrangements, access, review and approval controls, reporting, administrative charges and termination terms.

Feeing support means administrative preparation of time records, fee notes, invoices and schedules using the professional's approved information and instructions. The professional remains responsible for the lawfulness and accuracy of professional charges, approval of final invoices, legal advice, deadlines, client engagement and all applicable professional obligations.

No authority to receive or hold client or trust funds, operate bank accounts, settle matters, make legal decisions or perform reserved professional or debt-collection services arises from this website or an enquiry. Such activities are not included in the offered administration service. Payments for professional services are made through the professional's separately authorised payment arrangements.

Administrative service charges must be disclosed and separately agreed. Any proposed referral, fee-sharing, billing or collection arrangement must be reviewed for compliance with applicable local requirements before implementation. The availability of administrative support does not establish that a particular remuneration arrangement is lawful in every jurisdiction.