Judge Mfenyana says legal ethics goes beyond compliance with the law

By Charmaine Ndlela

Ethics in the legal profession goes beyond simply complying with the law, Judge Sandiswa Mfenyana has warned, saying legal practitioners must uphold professional responsibility even when legislation does not provide clear answers.

Mfenyana, of the North West Division of the High Court, was speaking at Rosebank International’s Faculty of Law 2026 Research Symposium on Tuesday.

The symposium, held at the institution’s Braamfontein campus under the theme “Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility in a Changing Legal Landscape”, brought together legal professionals, academics, researchers, students and industry stakeholders to discuss the changing legal environment.

Mfenyana said while the law generally sets minimum standards of conduct, ethical considerations should guide legal professionals when legislation does not provide clear answers.

“Ethics extends beyond mere compliance with legal requirements. The law generally establishes minimum standards of conduct, while ethical considerations may guide behaviour in circumstances where legislation does not provide a clear