Lawyers preparing constitutional challenge to RAF law

Some personal injury lawyers are preparing to go to the Constitutional Court to overturn the Road Accident Fund Amendment Bill, which was recently signed into law.

A report in The Mercury says various legal groups, including the Coalition on the Road Accident Fund, claim the new law will erode the rights of motorists. It was signed into law by President Thabo Mbeki last month and regulations are expected to be gazetted next month. The law, among other things, removes the common law right of accident victims to sue negligent drivers for damages, as well as capping claims for loss of earnings at R160 000. Full report in The Mercury