Legal Advice and the Big Wide Web

Long gone are the days of hours of paging through books to source information. We are in the age of ‘information at your fingertips’ and it is almost impossible to think of a topic that cannot be found somewhere in the vast depths of the internet.

People are becoming ‘self-taught’ in all fields, but the dangers associated with relying on internet articles as a basis for a legal argument can be very costly (and slightly embarrassing).

Here are a few tips to consider when searching for information relating to the Law Profession online. 

•  Check the address of the web page where you are obtaining information from or try to limit your search to South African based web pages. The laws which we apply in South Africa differ greatly from those applied, say, in America. Thus, you need to ensure that your content is applicable to South African law. 
• Check your source! Be aware of scams and unqualified persons offering free legal advice or ‘easy way out’ options. Make background enquiries into the creators of the webpage and those who manage it. 
• Check the date! The law is constantly evolving and, as a result, Legislation and Case Law is constantly being updated and replaced. Thus, an article which was factually correct 6 months ago, may prove to be slightly inaccurate (or no longer applicable at ALL) in the light of changes which took place after it was published. 
• Utilise online information only as a guide. You wouldn’t start performing open heart surgery just because you watched the ‘how to’ tutorial video, would you? Similarly, you should never charge head-on into any legal matter armed only with articles and/or information found on the internet. 

So although the internet is a great source of information, it is always better to consult your Attorney in all legal matters before making any final decisions.  For a consultation to obtain some REAL legal advice, contact our offices today!