Pro Bono
Our dedicated pro bono practice provides free legal services to indigent or disenfranchised members of society in order to facilitate access to justice. Additionally, we advise and assist non-profit, public benefit and civil society organisations who aim to effect positive societal transformation by engaging in human rights, public interest or social justice-related work.
In line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, our pro bono practice aims to advance social justice* by using the law as a tool for the enforcement of rights and making the law work for people.
Our pro bono work involves five kinds of activities: staffing law clinics (including one specifically established by Werksmans in Diepsloot in 2012); generally providing advice or representation to individuals or organisations; assisting organisations with various advocacy initiatives; presenting informational seminars or webinars to members of the public; and engaging in strategic, constitutional or public interest litigation.
Pro bono legal services are provided to qualifying individuals and organisations, taking into account various factors, including a means test, our pro bono policy and any public interest or social justice considerations.
Unfortunately, our pro bono practice does not assist with certain types of matters, claims or areas of law, including the following in particular: road accident fund matters, motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence (and personal injury claims), defamation, administration of deceased estates, family law (e.g. divorces) and criminal law.
Our Pro Bono Practice comprises three experienced pro bono lawyers, namely Dakalo Singo, Naledi Motsiri and Harold Jacobs.
If you have a pro bono enquiry, please email it to: probono@werksmans.com
Resources
Download: Diepsloot Law Clinic information sheet
Download: Consumer Rights Handbook – The 10 Rs of Consumer Responsibility
Listen: Understanding your basic rights against abuse
Listen: Understanding UIF and other employee benefits
Read: The Case for Asylum Seekers' Entitlement to Unemployment Insurance Fund Benefits: Musanga v Minister of Labourby Dakalo Singo
Download: UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Relevant matters
The below matters are a select number of firm matters. To find out more, contact enquiries@werksmans.com
Banking & Finance
This is a leveraged acquisition finance deal in which [...]
Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions
Werksmans acted for a BEE consortium acquiring the Nampak [...]
Digital Media & Electronic Communications
Groupe Canal+’s ("Canal+") acquisition of MultiChoice Group Limited ("MCG"), [...]
Disputes
Werksmans Attorneys successfully represented a Danish investor in a [...]
Environmental & Infrastructure & Energy
Werksmans acted as Sponsor counsel for the project consortium [...]
Private Equity
Werksmans Attorneys (Werksmans) provided legal advice to Kasada Capital [...]
