The legal services division of the FSCHR is a public interest strategic litigation unit that litigates as amicus curiae or on behalf of clients on brief in cases that raise issues of transformation and human rights. It focuses on matters that arise in the Free State province and collaborates closely with the Law Clinic of the University of the Free State in this respect.

Through the centre’s Director, Prof Danie Brand, acting as counsel, the legal services division has assisted in two public interest matters in 2018: Grace Maledu v IBMR, which was argued before the Constitutional Court in May 2018 and in which favourable judgement was obtained in November; and Grootkraal Community v Jacobus du Plessis Botha, which was argued before the Supreme Court of Appeal in October 2018, with favourable judgement obtained in November. PDFs of these judgements appear below:

From the left: The FSCHR’s Director, Prof Danie Brand with his senior counsel, Annamarie de Vos SC, and opposing counsel Laurie Wilken and Ushain Naidoo, after appearing in the Supreme Court of Appeal in the Grootkraal matter.

The legal services division also gives legal advice to the University of the Free State on human rights-related matters.

Enquiries can be directed to Prof JD Brand (BrandJD@ufs.ac.za) or Ntokozo Ntseto (ntseton@ufs.ac.za).