Mission:

We are committed to managing legal and compliance risks to safeguard the interests of UFS and to promote good governance, fair disciplinary processes, and sound stakeholder relations including to ensure effective oversight of contracts, policies and regulatory compliance for the institution’s long-term sustainability.

Overview of departmental functions:

Legal Services Mandate

a. Enforcing and maintaining statutory regulations applicable to the sustainability of UFS
b. Institute and/or defend UFS
c. Implement and maintain the records and database of the UFS’ contracts.
d. Negotiating, drafting and vetting contracts and other legal instruments
e. To provide legal support within UFS’ Legal Framework.
f. Managing litigation for or against the UFS and providing legal and administrative support over a broad spectrum of issues.

Student Discipline and Mediation Unit (SDMU) Mandate

a. To effectively enforce Student Discipline Code, applicable rules, policies and guidelines on student discipline, without fear or favour.
b. To establish good working relations with all stakeholders.
c. To implement alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where necessary.
d. To instill principles of natural justice, student driven leadership, accountability, transparency and integrity in enforcing student discipline.
e. To ensure that disciplinary hearings are finalized without unnecessary delay.
f. To liaise and to appraise critical stakeholders on matters affecting them.

Compliance Mandate

The University of the Free State (UFS) is committed to promoting a strong and sustainable compliance culture that ensures all personnel understand and confidently manage their legal, regulatory and policy obligations. The mandate seeks to safeguard the University’s reputation and to support good governance by contributing to the institution’s long-term sustainability and operational excellence through the following:

a. To conduct annual legal compliance reviews.
b. To also conduct ad-hoc compliance reviews.
c. To compile UFS annual Compliance Plan.
d. To monitor compliance within UFS and recording all compliance matters on central compliance register.
e. To appraise management of any serious compliance breach.
f. To coordinate implementation of Compliance Framework by various Stakeholders.

POPIA Mandate

a. The University of the Free State (UFS) is committed to ensuring the lawful, responsible, and transparent processing of personal information in full compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

b. We aim to protect the privacy rights of all data subjects, including students, staff, and stakeholders, by implementing robust policies, procedures, and controls.

c. Our mandate includes promoting awareness, monitoring compliance, managing data protection risks, and ensuring that personal information is collected, stored and processed securely and only for legitimate purposes.

d. Through this mandate, UFS seeks to foster trust, accountability and integrity in all its information management practices while safeguarding the University’s reputation and legal obligations.