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Chapter 5
Related Sections
1
INTRODUCTION
2
Where does the law come from?
3
Constitutional law
4
Statute law
5
Common law
6
Customary law
7
How is a court decision or judgment made?
8
Kinds of law: criminal and civil
9
STRUCTURE OF THE COURTS
10
The Constitutional Court
11
The Supreme Court of Appeal
12
The High Courts
13
Magistrates’ Courts
14
Small Claims Court (SCCs)
15
The Labour Court
16
The Land Claims Court
17
Who works in the legal system?
18
TRIALS, APPEALS, AND REVIEWS
19
What is a trial?
20
What is an appeal?
21
What is a review?
22
SETTLING DISPUTES OUTSIDE OF COURT
23
Negotiation
24
Mediation
25
Arbitration
26
THE CRIMINAL COURTS AND CRIMINAL CASES
27
Criminal charges
28
Bail
29
Steps in a criminal court case
30
Dealing with organised crime: The Prevention of Organised Crime Act
31
The Child Justice System
32
POLICE
33
Powers of the police to question
34
Powers of the police to search and seize
35
Powers of the police to arrest
36
Reporting a case of police misconduct
37
Community Police Forums
38
THE CIVIL COURTS AND CIVIL CASES
39
Civil claims
40
Steps in a civil claim in a magistrate’s court
41
Small Claims Court (SCC)
42
Equality Courts
43
Interdicts
44
Spoliation orders
45
USING AN ATTORNEY
46
Responsibilities of attorneys
47
When do you need an attorney?
48
How to find an attorney
49
How to pay for an attorney
50
Applying for legal aid
51
Legal aid clinics
52
Justice centres
53
University Legal Aid Clinics
54
Advice centres
55
Legal Resources Centres
56
Attorneys’ Associations
57
PROBLEMS
58
Problem 1: Which court should be used in each example?
59
Problem 2: Claim is too large for the Small Claims Court (SCC)
60
Problem 3: How urgent is the need for an interdict?
61
Problem 4: Passing the Legal Aid means test
62
Problem 5: Appealing against the decision of a magistrate
63
Problem 6: Failing to obey a court order
64
Problem 7: Refusing to give your name or address to the police
65
Problem 8: Police shoot and injure while making an arrest
66
Problem 9: Your right to appear in court within 48 hours of arrest
67
Problem 10. Police misconduct
68
MODEL LETTERS
69
Letter of Demand for the Small Claims Court
70
CHECKLISTS
71
Checklist: Particulars to take if someone has received a summons
72
Checklist: Particulars to take if someone has already appeared in court on a criminal charge

Justice centres

Legal Aid South Africa saw the need to establish Justice Centres to deal with the numbers of people requiring legal assistance. Justice Centres are like Legal Aid Clinics but much bigger. Full-time staff and attorneys who work there provide a number of different services.
(See Resources for contact details of Legal Aid justice Centres)

WHO CAN USE JUSTICE CENTRES?

A person can only use the services of an attorney in a Justice Centre if they qualify under the means test for legal aid. (See Means test) The priority of Justice Centres is to assist vulnerable groups such as women, children and people who are landless.

WHAT SERVICES DO JUSTICE CENTRES PROVIDE?

Justice Centres provide services such as:

  • Referrals: The Justice Centres keep a detailed database of relevant services and agencies for helping people who need social, economic, welfare or psychological assistance. The Centres refer people to an appropriate agency with a referral letter.
  • Advice: The Centres help people who need basic legal advice such as where and how to apply for a birth certificate, interpret a contract, and so on.
  • Legal representation: The Centres provide legal representation to people for cases including criminal, civil, family law and labour cases. The legal representation focuses on using processes such as arbitration, mediation and negotiation, not only litigation (formal legal procedures).