Attorney Kaamilah Paulse of Herold Gie Attorneys.
Image: Supplied
Attorney Kaamilah Paulse is under intense scrutiny after the Western Cape Legal Practice Council (LPC) referred several complaints to a Disciplinary Committee following serious allegations of unprofessional conduct.
The move comes after a detailed investigation by the LPC’s Investigating Committee, which met on 30 January 2026 and analysed multiple allegations relating to Paulse’s handling of high-profile family law matters.
The most serious complaint involves Paulse’s alleged failure to properly serve court documents on a complainant, a lapse that the LPC said forced the complainant to seek rescission of a judgment at significant cost and delay. According to the Council, Paulse acted on instructions that were inconsistent with a magistrate’s order, and her response did not demonstrate that valid service had been effected.
The Committee determined that these facts raised a prima facie case that she may have breached professional and ethical duties under the legal Code of Conduct. This complaint has now been formally referred for adjudication.A separate domestic violence application attended virtually in Randburg in October 2025 also attracted criticism.
The LPC found that Paulse’s instructions to an advocate were misleading, leading to unnecessary postponements and wasted time for all parties involved. This matter too has been referred to a Disciplinary Committee.
These developments come amid an ongoing and bitter custody and access dispute involving Johannesburg-based father Asif Casoojee, whose legal battle to see his two children has captured significant public and media attention.
For more than four years, Casoojee has fought for greater contact with his children, describing the legal process as emotionally draining and, at times, deeply damaging. In widely reported incidents, Casoojee says he was excluded from Father’s Day events and denied access to his children’s school despite continuing financial support for their education.
In December 2025, Casoojee sought to take his children on a religious trip to Mecca, a request he said was spiritually important and aligned with their Muslim upbringing. He says the request was declined on the basis that the existing court order regulating parental contact did not permit extended holiday access or international travel without formal amendment.
Casoojee said his hopes for the trip were dashed when Paulse’s team responded only on the date he was set to travel, leaving him and his children disappointed.
Casoojee has not been silent about the personal toll of the dispute. In public pleas to the Justice Minister, he described his four-year struggle as emblematic of broader systemic issues in family law, calling for reform and more transparency in how custody and access cases are handled.
Underlying the complaints now before the LPC is a ruling by the LPC Appeals Tribunal in March 2025 that found prima facie evidence of misconduct on two counts, including the improper securing of a protection order against Casoojee without proper service and alleged interference in his communication with his children.
Responding to The Star’s questions Pierre le Roux of the Herold Gie said: “Your email incorrectly refers to “findings” made by the LPC. No finding has been made. All the Investigating Committee did, was to refer two of the numerous complaints made by Mr Casojee, for further consideration by the Disciplinary Committee.
“Ms Paulse, while respecting the decision of the Investigating Committee, strongly disagrees with their recommendation and we will be arguing accordingly on her behalf at the Disciplinary Committee when the hearing occurs.”
Parker Attorneys, acting on behalf of Casoojee, confirmed that their client has welcomed the decision by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) to refer Paulse to a formal Disciplinary Hearing following findings that she allegedly misled two courts operating in separate jurisdictions.
According to the firm, the referral represents an important step towards professional accountability within the legal profession.“Our client holds the firm view that certain conduct by Paulse was unlawful and inconsistent with the ethical and professional obligations expected of a legal practitioner.
“These matters have now been placed before the appropriate oversight bodies for independent and impartial determination” the firm said.