Introduction

The unit is headed by an attorney, Anneke Meerkotter, assisted by  Busi Matukane and  Nombulelo Mhkuma in the Braamfontein office and Thabie Seoke and Priscilla Mashego at the Acornhoek office.

The unit was set up in response to calls for an NGO to provide legal advice and representation to the large numbers of women who need legal advice and assistance but cannot afford to pay an attorney or advocate and who cannot access legal aid.

The unit specializes in cases concerning domestic violence, maintenance and sexual assault. Our approach is to ensure that women who have to go to court to enforce their rights are empowered to do so.  We provide them with detailed information about the courts, how they function and what women can expect from them.  Because of our long-standing work in various courts in Gauteng, we are also able to assist women by putting them in touch with the right officials.

In addition to making sure that women understand their rights and how to enforce them, we also assist our clients by:

• Helping them to complete all documentation that the courts require
• Making sure that these documents are properly served on the respondent
• Accessing relevant information on the respondent, including financial information for maintenance cases - we have access to databases on ownership of property and credit records
• Going to court when necessary - because we have limited capacity, we cannot accompany all women to court, so we prioritize those cases where our presence will make a significant difference to the outcome
• Referring them to other services e.g. counseling and social support services.

Every year the unit identifies a number of community based organizations (CBOs) that provide various services to women in connection with gender based violence and works with them to provide training on the legal aspects of gender based violence.  This training takes place over a 6 month period and is intended to increase the capacity of CBOs to respond to the legal needs of their clients.  At the end of the training, TLAC places interns from the organizations in it's legal unit to consolidate what they have learnt.

In December 2007, TLAC commissioned an independent consultant to evaluate the effectiveness of this training. The report can be accessed here

The Paralegal Forum

In 2007, the unit convened and coordinated the first South African Paralegal Network on Domestic Violence and Maintenance. The network  meets once a month in Braamfontein. The purpose of the network is to bring together NGOs and CBOs that provide services to women in connection with domestic violence and maintenance in order to build their capacity to provide legal information to their clients. The network- meetings provide opportunities for organizations to discuss key issues and develop joint advocacy strategies. 

Schedule of meetings for 2008 Paralegal Forum on Domestic Violence and Maintenance