Ballito lawyer and client in dispute over R750 000 legal fees

A Ballito lawyer will appear before the Legal Practice Council for allegedly overcharging a client.

Alistair Janssens of Janssens and Associates is scheduled to appear before the LPC in Pietermaritzburg on May 25 for a disciplinary enquiry arising from a criminal complaint laid against him by a former client over the alleged withholding of R750 000.

Ballito resident France Chretien sold his property at 25 Minerva Road through another attorney in 2012, but claims that lawyer never paid him an amount of R700 000. So in in 2020, eight years later, he turned to Janssens to help him claw back the money which he claims had grown to about R1.3-million with interest.

Chretien further alleges that Janssens later demanded R2-million in relation to the claim against the previous attorney.

Janssens disputes this version.

The dispute arose when Chretien contested the amount retained by Janssens as fees. Janssens told the Courier that his role was to receive the funds in his trust account and distribute them according to a written agreement with Chretien, referencing correspondence dated May 19, 2021.

WhatsApp messages and affidavits seen by the Courier show differing interpretations of the fee agreement. Janssens maintains that his fee was agreed at R750 000, while Chretien insists it was R300 000.

Janssens alleged that Chretien was attempting to use the media to pressure him financially, and further claimed that a debt collector sent him a threatening message in July 2025, demanding repayment. Chretien has denied wrongdoing.

The matter remains under investigation by the LPC. No findings have been made against any party and all allegations are denied by those involved.

Findings will be published once available.

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