Last Saturday, some lucky Ilembe residents were given a free law clinic by the University of KZN’s top law teachers.
The university team gave lessons and lead discussions on law matters from small claims and domestic violence to family law.
UKZN law clinic principal attorney, Eben van der Merwe, said Howard College Law School has two programmes in which final year students and candidate attorneys engage with school pupils and communities.
“In essence, the programme is to provide legal services to members of the community who cannot afford legal aid and to provide practical experience to candidate attorneys and final year students.”
People who attended the clinic were delighted with the information they got from the law students and candidate attorneys.
Zanele Mkhize from Maphumulo, said: “I will spread the word, word of mouth is a powerful tool where I come from, and I will read the notes given to me and help people around me. I will also be tagging a lot of friends on Facebook.”
These programmes are an approach to teach practical law to communities covering elements that include awareness of human rights, civil rights and conflict resolution.
The same team will train school pupils who will take part in the Moot Court Competition for high schools when schools re-open.
The next law clinic will take place on Saturday, July 18.
