UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Wits Law Clinic

Refugee Unit

Hours of opening Mondays from 12:00

This unit is run by Daven Dass and Paul Slabbert with the assistance of a candidate attorney.

The Refugee Unit seeks to assist asylum-seekers and refugees with legal problems such as:

  • Assisting with hearings and applications to the Standing Committee on Refugees;
  • Preparing and presenting Refugee Appeal Board Hearings;
  • Litigating in the High Court where asylum-seekers and refugees have received unfair treatment in the administrative process, and
  • Assisting refugees to obtain the necessary documents to be able to work in this country.

The Refugee Clinic is also involved in various advocacy projects. We have assisted in the training of Department of Home Affairs officials. We have also established relationships with the Black Sash and provide ongoing training for para-legals. Should any legal or NGO organisation need training on refugee matters, the Clinic is able to provide such a service. The Refugee Clinic also accepts applications for voluntary internships for a period of 3 months or longer.

The Refugee Clinic also works in association with NGO s to launch precedent setting applications in the High Court to ensure that asylum-seekers and refugees are afforded their full rights under the Constitution.

The clinic can only assist members of the public who are indigent and qualify on an income means test,and who do not have the financial resources to pay for an attorney.