annual report - bowmanslaw.com · annual report protecting legal rights ... welcome foreword 04 ......
TRANSCRIPT
Ensuring justice is served by providing access to the legal system
ANNUAL REPORT
Protecting legal rightsProviding legal services to start-ups and small businesses Helping individuals
We are proud to support Ilitha Ntinini, junior rugby player at Connect Sports Academy, on his journey to sporting greatness. Connect is an NPO committed to the transformation of sports at grassroots level.
02
WELCOME
Foreword 04
A Year in Review 04
Director’s Special Mention Award 05
PRO BONO
Pro Bono projects
IshishiniLethu 06
AlexandraChamberofCommerce’sopendayforstart-ups 07
Speedmentoring 07
Adams&Adams 08
AdvisingonintellectualpropertylawinKenya 08
Protecting legal rights
Supportingthearts 08
Prematurebabiesandburialrights 09
Achampionforrights 09
Ahandup,notahandout 10
Providing legal services to charitable organisations
RhinoPrideFoundation 11
Preservingtherighttopeacefulprotest 11
UpperTana-NairobiWaterFund 12
Former Constitutional Judge Justice Yacoob on 14pro bono legal services
Forthefinancialyearendingon28February2017ourlawyersinSouthAfricainvestedover11000hoursinprobonoworkamountingtojustoverZAR22million.Fatima Laher, Pro Bono Manager
CONTENTS
Contents
03
Contents
Annual pro bono celebration in 2016 16
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Play Africa 18
Malandela Mighty Heroes 19
Dignity campaign 19
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION
Mandela DaySibongileDayandNightCareCentre 20
TheBabyHouse 21
EntokozweniDayCareCentre 22
Take a Girl Child to Work Day 22
Supporting the arts 23
Youth Day 40thanniversarycommemoration 23
Soft Vengeance screening 24
Women’s Day AlexandraHospiceandRehabilitationCentre 25
PERSPECTIVES
Six months in the wilderness as corporate goes criminal 28
In pursuit of personal satisfaction: A worthy detour? 30
04
At Bowmans, we encourage our people to use their legal knowledge to benefit the underprivileged, disadvantaged, and those who otherwise lack access to the services we can offer. In our offices across the continent we partner with organisations who share our commitment to offering assistance and legal knowledge to those who are in need.
A YEAR IN REVIEW
Fatima LaherProBonoManager
Wealsosupportanumberof
charitiesthroughvolunteering
ourtime,fundraising,or
simplymakingdonations.
Someofourprobonoandcharitable
workishighlightedinthisreport.
Duringtheyearendingon
28February2017,weserviced
predominantlyaccesstojustice-
basedlawclinicssuchas
ProBono.org’sRefugeeProgramme
andHousingandDomesticViolence
ClinicsinJohannesburg.Wealso
assistedtheCapeTownMagistrate’s
CourthelpdeskrunbytheWomen’s
LegalCentrewhileourLitigation
TeaminJohannesburgserviced
theSouthGautengHighCourt
helpdesk,aprojectrunbytheLaw
SocietyoftheNorthernProvince.
ThroughourIshishiniLethu
smallbusinessprojectwe
renderedprobonocorporate
legalservicestoqualifyingsmall
businessesandstartups.
Fromacorporatesocial
responsibilityperspective,many
membersofourstaffcontributed
meaningfullytoneedycommunities
byactivelyparticipatingina
varietyofourinitiatives.Iam
thankfultoallourmembersof
stafffortheirgeneroussupport.
Iamthankfultoourlawyersfortheir
dedication,commitmentandsupport
ofourfirm’sprobonoprogramme.
Thankyou,also,toourmany
stakeholdersandcollaboratorswho
havepartneredwithusovertheyear.
Ourprobonoandcharitable
initiativesareourcommitment
toensuringaccesstojusticeand
supportingthecommunitiesin
whichweoperate.Theresults
beartestamenttotheimpact
thatoureffortsarehaving.
Welcome
Inthisreportweshowcasethe
mainareasofourprobonowork
forthefinancialyearendingon
28February2017.Ithasbeena
phenomenalyearduringwhich
weservicedmanyindividuals
andnon-profitentities.
WELCOME
As lawyers, we are in a unique position to assist people in the communities where we live and work. By using our knowledge and skills wherever we can make a difference, whether it is for our clients, or for the wider communities in which we practise law, we are guided by our agreed culture and values.
Onbehalfofmyfellowpartners,
Iwouldliketothankallthosewho
havecontributedtheirskillsandtime
tohelpbringaboutmeaningful
changeinavarietyofwaysover
thelastyear.
FOREWORD
Robert LeghChairmanandSeniorPartner
toourFourthAnnualProBonoReport
05
Professionalsupportlawyer,Jefrey
Phahlamohlaka,receivedtheDirector’s
SpecialMentionAwardacknowledging
hisextraordinarycontributionof
572probonohoursduring2015
atProBono.org’sAnnualProBono
AwardseveningheldatConstitutional
Hillon6September2016.
AWARD
From left: Advocate Dali Mpofu, Jefrey Phahlamohlaka and Erica Emdon, executive director of ProBono.org
DIRECTOR’S SPECIAL MENTION AWARD AwardedtoJefreyPhahlamohlaka
Welcome
06
PRO BONO
Our firm’s flagship pro bono project providing legal services to start-ups and small businesses. LaunchedinAugust2013,ourIshishiniLethuProjectcreatesasupportsystemforemergingbusinessesworkingtoestablishthemselves.Wepartnerwithnon-profitorganisationswhichreferclientsinneedoflegalservicestoourfirm.Thisallowsourcommerciallawyerstocontributetothecommunitiesinwhichweoperateaccordingtotheirareasofexpertise.
ISHISHINI LETHU HelpingAfricanentrepreneursprosper
WE PARTNER WITH NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS WHICH REFER CLIENTS IN NEED OF LEGAL SERVICES TO OUR FIRM
Pro Bono
PRO BONO PROJECTS
07
ALEXANDRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Opendayforstart-ups
SPEED MENTORING TheBransonCentreofEntrepreneurship
On 6 May 2016, lawyers from our firm attended the Alexandra Chamber of Commerce’s open day for small business enterprises (SMEs) in Alexandra. The aim was to connect these SMEs with financiers, legal advisors, accountants and well-established business enterprises.
Ourteamengagedwithenthusiastic
entrepreneurslikerestauranteurs,bakers,
constructionandengineeringcompanies,
ITspecialistsaswellassuppliers
operatingintheeventing,manufacturing
andtextilessectors.
Weprovidedcorporatelegaladvice
coveringtheincorporationof
companies,legislationrelevantto
operatingcompanies,aswellasthe
importanceofknowingandobserving
theapplicabletaxationlaws.Agood
amountoftimewasspenteducating
businessownershungryforinformation
aboutbusinesscriticaldocumentation
(suchasmemorandaofincorporation,
shareholdersagreementsandsecurity
registers)aswellasthemechanicsof
eachofthesedocumentsandhow
theywouldordinarilyinterplaywith
oneanotherinthecontextofawell-
establishedbusinessundertaking.
AsmanyoftheSMEswere
unregistered,thebasicconcepts
underpinningtheformationofa
companywereeagerlyreceived.
The Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship hosted an insightful speed mentoring session for 20 Liberian entrepreneurs at its Braamfontein campus on 14 March 2016.
Theaimwasfortheentrepreneurs(or
mentees)toengagewithmentorswho
hadarangeofbusinessexperience.
Eachmenteepresentedhisorher
businesscaseanditschallenges.
Thereafterthebusinesschallenges
andpossiblewaystoresolvethem
werediscussedinatimedmentoring
sessionduringwhichthementees
rotatedeveryfiveminutesfromone
mentortothenext.
Ourlawyers’expertiseininternational
trade,company,competition
andintellectualpropertylawand
knowledgeofthestructuresand
regulationsgoverningthebanking
andfinancialsectorswasusefulin
contextualisingthementees’issues.
Theyalsoadvisedongeneralbusiness
expansionstrategiessuchasthe
possibilitiesoffranchising.
‘Thementees’passionfortheir
businessescoupledwiththekeen
interestonthepartofthementors
madeforaneffectiveinformation-
sharingevent.’–Jefrey Phahlamohlaka
and Alexandra Woods
On17August2016,ourlawyers
KeshniPillayandJefrey
Phahlamohlaka,explained
theapplicabilityoftheBasic
ConditionsofEmploymentAct
andtheConsumerProtection
ActtoSMEs.
On19October2016,our
lawyersThembaZikhali
andJefreyPhahlamohlaka,
presentedontheCompanies
Act;themust-knowprovisions
forentrepreneursoperating
privatecompaniesand
oncommercialcontracts
aswellasallsignificant
elementstobeconsidered
bypartiesbeforesigning.
WE SPENT OVER 1 700 HOURS VALUED AT JUST OVER ZAR 3.6 MILLION SERVICING OUR ISHISHINI LETHU PROJECT SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC
Pro Bono
08
ADAMS & ADAMSOurprobonopartneronintellectualpropertymatters
SUPPORTING THE ARTS Sokhulu&Partners
‘Bowmans is grateful to Adams & Adams, an important collaborator in our Ishishini Lethu project. We thank them for rendering sterling service to many of our small businesses with their Intellectual Property matters. The team is great to work with.’ – Fatima Laher, Pro Bono Manager
A local legal drama series, Sokhulu & Partners, aired in 2016 on South African TV. It explored, via impactful storytelling, the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights and how they apply in practice.
Someofthethemesfeaturedintheseries
includedhatespeech,customarylaw,
dolus eventualis(apopularcatchphrase
followingtheOscarPistoriustrial),and
rapeinthe ukhutwala context(ukhutwala
istheculturalpracticeofabductingyoung
girlsandforcingthemintomarriage,
oftenwiththeconsentoftheirparents).
WeadvisedPenguinFilmsonthis
matteronaprobonobasisbecause
webelievedthatthecontentofthe
serieswasinthepublicinterest.
Intotal,wecontributed234hours
valuedatalmostZAR400000.
Adams & Adams:
‘Sincetheinceptionofthe
IshishiniLethuprojectin2013,
Adams&Adamshasconsistently
providedintellectualproperty
servicestosmallbusinessesand
entrepreneurswhoqualifyfor
assistancethroughthisproject.
Ourteamofattorneyshave
dedicatedapproximately100hours
tomattersthathavebeenreferred
throughtheproject.Legalservices
thatwererenderedinclude:
• Conductingsearcheson
theTrademarksRegisterto
assessuseandregistrability
ofproposedtrademarks
• Filingandprosecuting
trademarkapplications
ADVISING ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWIN KENYA
Legal Awareness Week is an annual national event organised by the Law Society of Kenya. Its main objective is to help the public become aware of legal issues.
Weteamedupwithvariousstatutory
bodiestosetupboothsattheevent
sothatmembersofthepubliccould
visitandseeklegalinformation
relevanttotheirrespectiveinstitutions.
OurIPteamworkedwithKenya
CopyrightBoardmembersto
adviseoncopyrightissuesrelating
toprotectinglearningmaterials,
magazinesandmusicalworks.The
collectionandpaymentofroyaltiesto
therelevantCollectiveManagement
Organisationwasapopularquestion.
From left: Member of the Kenya Copyright Board, Agnes Akal (Bowmans Associate) and David Opijah (Bowmans Senior Associate)
From left: Assistant Registrar of Trademarks with John Syekei (Bowmans Partner)
• Advisingonanddrafting
non-disclosureagreements
• Advisingonnoveltyofpatents
• Advisingoncopyright
• Draftingandfiling
patentapplications
Asprosecutingtrademarksisnot
aquickprocess,wehaveengaged
withclientsalongthewayand
witnessedtheirgrowth.Ithas
beenajoyseeingclientproducts
gracingshelvesatvariousshops
inMabonengandMelville.Weare
privilegedtohavecontributedto
thegrowthofsmallbusinessesthat
haveanimpactonoureconomy.
Weareproudtocollaborate
withBowmanstomakelegal
servicesaccessibletosmall
enterprisesandentrepreneurs.’
Pro Bono
PROTECTING LEGAL RIGHTS
09
A CHAMPION FOR RIGHTSDisabledpeopleintheworkplace
PREMATURE BABIES AND BURIAL RIGHTSLegalstatus
A tragic failed suicide attempt left our client with a facial disfigurement and a speech impediment.
Onreturningtohisjobasa
generalmanager,hisemployer
claimedthatourclient’s
disabilitymadehimunableto
dohisjob‘fully’,despitemedical
reportsconfirmingthathewas
fitandabletoresumework.
Wechallengedthedismissal.
Thecourtdeclareditunfairand
ourclientwasawardedover
ZAR1.5millionindamages.
Apartfromtheterribleand
toorarelyacknowledged
impactofdepression,this
caseillustrateshowlittleis
understoodbyemployersabout
thelawprotectingdisabled
workers.Italsoshowsthe
devastatingdiscrimination
disabledworkersface.
Throughthiscasewewere
giventheopportunityto
makeameaningfuldifference
inanindividual’slifeand
atthesametimeprotect
therightsofdisabled
peopleintheworkplace.
Acouple’sinfantbabywasborn
prematurelyandsadlylivedonly
foraverybrieftime.Actingon
thehospital’sadvice,thecouple
producedanaffidavitallowingthe
hospitaltoreleasethedeceased’s
bodytothemsotheycouldbury
theirbaby.
Whentheyapproachedafuneral
hometoassistwiththeburial,they
wereinformedthatitwasimpossible
withoutaburialorder.
Wordscannotbegintoexpressourheartfeltgratitudeforallyourhelp.YouwerecertainlyGodsent.Thankyouforallyoureffortsandhardwork.Itisprofoundlyappreciated.Parents
A timely intervention by our lawyers assisted a grieving couple to give their baby a dignified burial.
Pro Bono
Becausethebabywasbornatless
than26weeks,themedicalpersonnel
refusedtosigntherelevantforms
forHomeAffairs,andattemptsto
persuadeHomeAffairstoissuea
burialorderwithoutthesignedforms
werefruitless.
Wepreparedanurgentapplication
tocourtbut,whetherasaresultof
commonsenseprevailingorsimply
outofsympathyfortheparents,the
medicalpersonnelagreedtosignthe
relevantforms,andaburialorderwas
issuedbyHomeAffairs.
Weweregratifedtoalleviatesome
ofthiscouple’sstressduringa
heartbreakingperiodintheirlives.
10
A HAND UP, NOTAHANDOUT
For learners:
OurShippingandLogisticsPractice
wasinvitedbyLawhillMaritimeCentre
(apartofSimonsTownHighSchool)
topresentalectureon‘ShipArrestsin
SouthAfrica’tothegrade12maritime
economicsstudents.Thecentre
iswhollyfundedbythemaritime
industryandreliesheavilyongrantsas
wellasindustryprofessionalsdonating
theirtime.Weadoptedthecentreand
hostongoingclassesforthematric
learnersduringtheschoolterm.
For a small business:
Asoleproprietorwasdelightedto
haveherclosecorporationreinstated
afterfraudstersstoleherdetailsand
hadthemselvesaddedasco-owners.
Wewerehappytobeofservice
totherightfulownerwhosent
candidateattorney,TaliaBen-
David,andassociate,SeanDayton,
thefollowingemailofthanks:
'Ithankyouverymuch,to
youandSean–actuallyto
Bowmans–foreverythingthat
youpeopledidforme.'
For mothers and their babies:
'OnbehalfoftheTalesofTurning
project,Iwouldliketothankyoufor
yourcontributionoflegalservices.
Yourlegalserviceshavehelpedus
continueonourmissiontoempower
vulnerablemothersinSouthAfrica.
TheTalesofTurningprojectruns
mothers’supportgroupswhich
providevulnerablewomenwiththe
skillsthattheyneedtohelptheir
childrenreachtheirfullpotential.
Duringtheprogrammethemothers
learnparentingskillsaswellas
howtomakeeducationalactivities
fortheirchildrenoutofrecyclable
material.
Themotherslearnhowtobuild
self-esteemandempathyintheir
childrenaswellashowtokeep
theirchildrensafe.Youcanfollow
theprogressoftheprojecton
www.talesofturning.co.zaoron
FacebookTalesofTurning.'
–Jenna-LeeStrugnell,
TalesofTurningProjectManager
Pro Bono
11
RHINO PRIDE FOUNDATIONLetterofthanks
PRESERVING THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST ActivistlawyerswinanappealintheDurbanHighCourt
In July 2016, Health GAP was in South Africa for the bi-annual International AIDS Conference. AIDS 2016 was special because the conference returned to South Africa after 16 years.
SouthAfricaisacountry
withtheworld’slargestHIV
epidemic.InDurban,16years
before,activistscatalysed
aseachangeintheworld’s
responsetotheAIDSepidemic
intheSouthernHemisphere.
TrudieNichols,partnerinour
Durbanoffice,wasgalvanizedinto
activistactionwhenHealthGap
waspreventedfromengagingin
apeacefulprotestataforeign
consulatetochallengeitscrack
downoncivilsocietygroups.
Ourinvolvementensuredtheteams
werefreetocontinuetheirworkin
thefightforuniversalaccesstoHIV
treatment,preventionandcare.
‘Whatmanypeopledon’tknow
isthatourmarchtotheIndian
consulatewasalsoavictoryfor
therighttopeacefulprotestin
SouthAfrica.Ironically,beforewe
couldmarch,theTreatmentAction
CampaignandSection27hadtogo
tocourttodefendourrighttodoso
inthefirstplace.Afewdaysearlier,
theSouthAfricanPoliceService
hadofficiallyprohibitedthemarch,
effectivelyrenderingparticipation
intheactionacrimepunishableby
uptooneyear’simprisonment.
LawyersfromSection27andour
attorneyTrudieNicholschallenged
theprohibitionasaninfringement
oftherighttoprotestintheDurban
HighCourthoursbeforethemarch
wasscheduledtotakeplace.Just
onehourbeforethemarch,the
courtruledinourfavour.Butwe
werefiredupbyourSouthAfrican
comradeswhowerereadytorisk
arrestandgoforwardwiththe
marchregardlessoftheoutcome.’
–JamilaHeadley,HealthGAP
RhinoPrideFoundation(RPF)
FounderandChairDrJana
Pretoriussentaletterthanking
BowmansforcreatingtheRPF
TrustandregisteringRPFasaPBO
withtheTaxExemptionUnit.
From left to right: Sandile Khumalo, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary of the Treatment Action Campaign, Advocate Sandhya Mahabeer, Trudie Nichols, Romane Paul, who was then a candidate attorney at Bowmans and who is now an associate. John Stephens of Section 27; and Toni Palmer who was then a pupil with Advocate Mahabeer and who is now an advocate.
Pro Bono
PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS
Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund is a trust aimed at protecting the source of water for millions of Nairobi county dwellers and ensuring that they have clean water for generations to come. The water fund is seen as a sound investment by utilities and companies who rely on the Tana River. In fact, the fund’s business case showed that a USD 10 million investment in water fund-led conservation interventions is likely to return USD 21.5 million in economic benefits over a 30-year timeframe.
Pro Bono
UPPER TANA-NAIROBI WATER FUND
12
Our team in Kenya supported this sustainable cause by assisting with the
incorporation of the trust along with drafting all of the related documentation
and contracts required.
IMPROVING WATER FOR MILLIONS
IN KENYA
USD 21.5M
30 YEARS
Pro Bono
13
Photographer: Nick Hall
FORMER CONSTITUTIONAL JUDGE JUSTICE YACOOB ON PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES
From left to right: Robert Legh (Bowmans Chairman and Senior Partner), Fatima Laher (Bowmans Pro Bono Manager), Judge Justice Yacoob, Penuell Maduna (Bowmans Deputy Chairman) and Alan Keep (Bowmans Managing Partner)
Former Constitutional Judge Justice Yacoob was the keynote speaker at our annual Pro Bono celebration in 2016.
Hespokeaboutthenotionof
lawyersactingagainstgovernment
institutions.JusticeYacoobsaidthat
lawshouldbeusedasaweaponto
achievegreatergoodinsociety.
Heexplainedthatprobono
lawyeringbeganinSouthAfrica
duringthedaysofthestruggle
andthefightforajustsociety.
LAW SHOULD BE USED AS A WEAPON TO ACHIEVE GREATER GOOD IN SOCIETY
14
Pro Bono
15
Pro Bono
16
ANNUAL PRO BONO CELEBRATION IN 2016
Pro Bono
17
Pro Bono
‘Championing children’s right to play’
‘Igniting curiosity and bridging divides through play’
Our support allowed Play Africa to pay for a shipment of giant blue blocks that will reach thousands of children,
teachers and families around Johannesburg through Play Africa’s Children’s Museum.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY
Play Africa is a non-profit organisation building a world-class children’s museum in South Africa. Play Africa believes that all children share an innate love of discovering, imagining, creating and exploring. They create child-centered environments where children can come together to play, investigate, innovate and dream.
Corporate Social Responsibility
PLAY AFRICA
18
19
MALANDELA MIGHTY HEROES
DIGNITY CAMPAIGN
We sponsor the Malandela Mighty Heroes under 15 soccer team. Malandela Mighty Heroes is a NPO which uses soccer as a medium to uplift youth in Alexandra. They have 87 boys in their programme, ranging from the ages of 13 to 22.
Sinceourpartnershipstarted,our
staffhavemetandengagedwith
theyoungplayers,runaneedsdrive
whichcollectedessentialitems
fromawishlistofsportinggearand
equipmentandevengotabeating
fromtheminafriendlysoccermatch.
Keeping girls in school and learning
WeteamedupwithImbali
LegacyProjecttocollectand
donatesanitarywearandpadsto
schoolgirlsinandaroundDurban.
Imbali’sgoalwastocollect2000
padsforthehomesandschools
theysupport.Theyalsoraise
fundstodonatewashablepads
andunderwearforthegirls.
Corporate Social Responsibility
20
SIBONGILE DAY AND NIGHT CARE CENTRE CapeTown
Mandela Day is a reminder for us to help those who are in need, either because they are in poverty, conflict or face injustice. 2016’s Mandela Day highlighted education and literacy, food security, shelter and the environment.
IncommemorationofMandela
Dayandincommitmenttothe
67MinutesCampaign,stafffrom
ourCapeTownofficevisitedthe
SibongileDayandNightCare
CentreforDisabledChildrenin
Khayelitshatodeliverdonations
andhostateaparty.TheCentre
wasfoundedbyMrsNomasango
Xabanisaandnamedafterher
latedaughterwhosufferedfrom
cerebralpalsy.Ithouses56children
withvaryingdegreesofdisability.
Donationswerecollectedthrougha
month-longdrivespearheadedby
thefirstyearcandidateattorneys
whocollectedanddeliveredclothing,
toiletries,cleaningproductsand
foodtotheCentre.Thevisitingstaff
playedgameswiththechildren
andassistedwithfeedingthe
children.Thedayconcludedwitha
teaparty,whereourteamserved
foodandtreatstothecaretakers.
MrsXabanisathankedthefirm
andimploredustocontinue
doingcharitablework.
Overcomingpovertyisnotataskofcharity;itisanactofjustice.Likeslaveryandapartheid,povertyisnotnatural.Itisman-madeanditcanbeovercomeanderadicatedbytheactionsofhumanbeings.Sometimesitfallsonagenerationtobegreat.Youcanbethatgreatgeneration.Letyourgreatnessblossom.Nelson Mandela, former South African President
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION
Social Responsibility in Action
MANDELA DAY
THE BABY HOUSEDurban
Staff from our Durban office spent their 67 minutes on Mandela Day at the Baby House in Westville, a safe house for babies who have been abandoned and are awaiting adoption.
Itwasalovelyandrewardingtime
spentcuddling,feedingandhelping
outwiththebabies.Much-needed
itemsnecessaryforthecareand
wellbeingofthebabiesaswellas
treatsforthehousemotherswere
donated.TheboardoftheBaby
HouseWestvillewasappreciative
ofthedonationsandtimeand
sentthefollowingwarmletter:
Social Responsibility in Action
21
22
ENTOKOZWENIDAY CARE CENTREJohannesburg
TAKE A GIRL CHILD TO WORK DAYCellCinitiative
Twenty-fiveenthusiasticvolunteers
fromourJohannesburgofficehelped
transformtheEntokozweniDayCare
CentreinAlexandra.TheCentre
takescareofpreschoolchildren
uptosixyearsold.Activitiesto
improvethelivingconditionsof
theCentre’soccupantsincluded
painting,cleaningandgardening.
We participated in the Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Initiative.
SevenexcitablegirlsfromHoutBay
HighSchoollocatedinthetownship
ofHangbergwerewelcomed
toourofficeinCapeTown.In
Johannesburg,16girlsfromTetelo
SecondarySchoolinProteaNorth
joinedusfortheday.Theseschools
aresituatedinareasthatfacea
multitudeofsocio-economicissues
includingahighunemploymentrate.
Thescholarswereexposedtothe
variousfieldsoflawandcareer
pathsthatexistinacorporate
lawfirm.Thegirlsshadowedour
associatesandcandidateattorneys
throughoutthedayandparticipated
ininteractivesessionsfacilitatedby
theteam.Here’swhatsomeofthe
girlshadtosay:
Q: Which presentation
was your favourite?
A:Lana’spresentationonbeing
anattorney.Shegaveusalot
ofinformationaboutbeingan
attorneyandIfounditvery
interestingandencouraging.
–MushfeekaJohnson,Grade11
Q: What did you learn today?
A:Igotabetterunderstandingof
whatCorporateLawisabout.
–YonelaMblashwa,Grade12
Q: What did you enjoy
most about the day?
A:ThePopQuiz!Ididn’trealise
thatIactuallyabsorbed
andrememberedsomuch
information.–Cordelia
Opperman,Grade11
Q: What did you enjoy
least about the day?
A:Havingtogohomebecause
Ihadsomuchfunhere!
–DemiSolomons,Grade10
Social Responsibility in Action
23
SUPPORTING THE ARTS Connectinglocaltalenttowillingbuyers
40TH ANNIVERSARYCOMMEMORATIONJohnBrandinterview
Wehostedanartexhibitionatour
Johannesburgofficetopromote
localartistsandshowcasetheirwork
toanaudienceofwilling,andmostly
new,artbuyersinvitedtotheoffice
fortheoccasion.Asmanyas85%
oftheexhibitedpiecesweresold.
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the 1976 student uprisings, we took time to commemorate the historical event through a conversation with one of our long-serving ex-partners, and current consultant, John Brand.
Asayoungassociateatthethen
Bowman,Gilfillan&Blacklock,Johnwas
involvedwithalargenumberofpolitical
casesinthewakeof16June1976.In
particular,JohndiscussedtheEdelstein
murdertrialandthetrialof159school
childrenwhohadassembledillegally
intheJohannesburgLibraryGardens.
Henotonlytouchedonsomehistorical
aspectsoftheprotests,thetrials
themselvesandthepracticesofthe
securitypoliceandmagistratesatthe
time,butalsohighlightedthetimeless
dutyofattorneystorepresenttheir
clientstothebestoftheirabilities.
Theinformativehourendedwith
aninteractivediscussiononthe
impacttheworkhadonJohn’s
Carefully selected pieces, many providing a critique of the social construction of communities as well as commentary on the socio-economic challenges faced in South Africa, were beautifully showcased.
History,despiteitswrenchingpain,cannotbeunlived,butiffacedwithcourage,neednotbelivedagain.Maya Angelou, author and activist
careerandsomeinterestingquestions
fromthefloorabouthowitwasthata
corporatefirmcametobeoneofthe
fewwillingtoassiststudentsarrested
andchargedafterthe1976protests.
The full interview is available
on our YouTube channel.
Social Responsibility in Action
YOUTH DAY
24
SOFT VENGEANCE SCREENINGTheAlexandraChamberofCommerce
As part of our Youth Day commemorations, we also collaborated with the Alexandra Chamber of Commerce to host a screening of the film Soft Vengeance (an award-winning film based on the life of Justice Albie Sachs) for students from high schools in and around Alexandra at the Kings Cinema in Alexandra.
JusticeSachs,whoaddressedthe
students,sharedhisexperiencesasan
anti-apartheidactivistandfreedom-
fighter.Hewasabletoprovidecontext
andmeaningtothefilm’stitle.Having
losthisarmwhenabombwasplaced
inhiscarinMaputo,heexplainedto
thestudentsthathisideaofrevenge
wasnotbasedonan‘eyeforaneye’
principle,butratherthathewould
realisehisvengeancebyobtaininga
democraticSouthAfrica,whichhewas
ultimatelyabletoachieveandsharein.
Itisremarkablethat,having
experiencedsuchhardshipand
terrifyingeventsinhislifetime,
hewasabletoconveysuch
optimism,hopeandselflessness
toallthosepresentintheroom.
Amongsttheforemostcontributors
tothedraftingoftheBillofRights,
JusticeSachswasactivelyinvolved
inthebirthofSouthAfrica’s
constitutionaldemocracy.Itcameas
nosurprisewhenhewasappointed
asoneoftheinauguraljusticesofthe
ConstitutionalCourt.Duringhis15
yearterm,thejudgehandeddown
andcontributedtomanypivotal
judgments,includingthelegalisation
ofgaymarriagesinSouthAfricanand
theabolitionofthedeathpenalty.
JusticeSachsconcededthat
althoughwemaynotliveinaperfect
SouthAfrica,weliveinthecountry
hefoughtfor.Heconcludedthat
SouthAfricais‘acountrywhere
everyonehasrightsandfreedoms,
andwherepossibility,especiallyfor
theyouthofournation,isinfinite.’
– Candidate attorneys Courtenay
Stock, Liesl Vos and Ian Davis.
Social Responsibility in Action
25
ALEXANDRA HOSPICE AND REHABILITATION CENTREJohannesburg
Every year on 9 August we celebrate Women’s Day in South Africa, a public holiday that pays homage to the women of our nation who fought against the apartheid government.
Ateamofwomenfromour
Johannesburgofficevisitedthe
AlexandraHospiceandRehabilitation
Centrewherethefemalecaregivers
andpatientswerepamperedwith
varioustreatments.Thepamper
daywasroundedoffwithatea
partyandagenerousdonationof
clothing,adultnappiesandgloves.
Theladieslovedtheirnewly
manicurednailsandthetreatofa
highteatomarkaveryimportant
dayinthehistoryofSouthAfrica.
Social Responsibility in Action
WOMEN’S DAY
26
Moot court, where we sponsored a university's mock trial competition on campus.
Children's books were donated to school libraries.
Our annual Christmas collection for the Santa Shoebox Project.
Social Responsibility in Action
27
Bowmans managing partner, Alan Keep and Francisco Khoza, took part in The CEO SleepOut.
We restored a water pump for a community creche.
During the nation-wide student protests, staff collected and donated non-perishable food to Wits University.
Weinvestourtimeandresourcesinensuringthatthemostvulnerablepeopleinoursocietyareprotectedbythelegalsystem,becausenoonecanprosperinalawlesssociety.Robert Legh, Chairman and Senior Partner
Social Responsibility in Action
28
Family and friends were baffled when I chose the Public Defender as my next rotation, given that I was in a corporate law firm and was suddenly delving into the realm of criminal law. My response, in hindsight, was simple: I believe in the Constitution. Section 35 deals with accused persons and they too have a right to be represented.
ArrivingatLegalAid,Ihadmixed
emotions.Thiswasthestartofwhat
IbelieveIwasborntodo,whichis
tolitigate.Atthesametime,Ifelt
mildlyanxiousabouthowIwould
connectwithmynewcolleaguesand
thepeopleIwouldberepresenting
overthenextsixmonths.Asthings
turnedout,thatanxietywasneedless.
AlthoughmycolleaguesandIwere
strangersonthefirstday,wehad
becomeascloseassiblingsbymylast
day,andwearestilljustasclose.
Theflowofcourtwaslargelythesame
eachday.Courtbeginsat09:00and
weadjournforteaat11:00.Weresume
at11:30andcontinueuntil13:00when
weadjournforlunch,resumingagain
By: Mxolisi Ngubane
at14:00.AspertheMagistratesCourt
Act,courtshouldadjournat16:00.
Wellattimes16:00wasjustaguideline
tothemagistrateandattimestome.
Thereweredayswhencourtadjourned
at17:00andevenat18:00.Anextra
hourorsocouldmakethedifference
betweenmyclientgoinghomeonbail,
orreturningtoprisonforadayortwo
oraweek.Imustadmitthatattimesmy
driveforjusticemayhavelandedme
onthewrongsideofsomeprosecutors,
butthenagainmyrolewastoadvocate
forthebestinterestsofmyclients.
Learning the ropes
IdonotknowhowmanyclientsI
assisted.WhatIdoknowisthatat
somepointIfoundmyselfdoing
moreandmoreinquiriesdealingwith
thementalcapacityofdefendants.
Ibecamesofamiliarwiththese
casesthatthemagistratewould
evenorderthatIcomeonrecordfor
thosewhoinsistedonconducting
theirowndefence(astheyare
constitutionallypermittedtodo)but
whosementalabilityandstabilitythe
magistratehadreservationsabout.
TheConstitutionandtheCriminal
ProcedureActbecamemynewpoints
ofreference.Thesetwostatutesare
adefenceattorney’sbestfriend.It
isthroughthemthatthepleafor
prejudiceagainstyourclient’srights
toafairtrialaretakenmoreseriously
bythecourt,andalsohowmatters
arestruckofftheroll.Magistrates
neverfailtoremindlegalpractitioners
thattheyarecreaturesofstatute.
Thatconstantremindermadethe
taskslightlyeasier:findasectionthat
favoursyourcaseandargueituntil
themagistratenodsinagreement.
TheclientsIdealtwithwerefromall
walksoflifeintermsofrace,gender
andage.Nothingsankmyspirit
morethanrealisingthatmyclient
wasyoungerthanmeoroldenough
tobemygrandmother.Thenagain,
Iwouldbeshockedoutofmyskin
whenIreceivedcopiesofthedocket
foraclientwhowasmyageand
nowpossiblyfacedhisorhertenth
conviction.Thatisthemixedbagof
clientswhocamemyway.Icould
notchoosethem.Theychoseme.
Thefirsttimeaclientofminewas
sentencedtodirectimprisonment(for
threeyears)myspiritsank.Itsankso
muchthatIthinkeventhemagistrate
noticedit.Aftercourtshesaidtome,
‘MrNgubane,youdidallthatyoucould
do.Donotletthiswearyoudown.’
Well,ImustsaythatIreachedthe
pointwhenIcouldpredictthepossible
sentenceeachtimeaclientfaceda
convictionorwantedtopleadguilty.
Mybiggestadvantagecamefrom
rememberinghowsimplemytask
was:toadvocateforthebestinterests
ofmyclients.Iworkedhardtodo
that.Duringmysixmonthsatthe
PublicDefender,Isubmittedfive
representationstotheSeniorPublic
Prosecutortohavefirst-timeoffending
clientsavoidacriminalrecordand
ofthosefive,fourweresuccessful.
A day to remember
IneverthoughtIwouldlivetosee
thedaywhenthegallerywould
eruptasIfinishedmyargument
incourt.Thatdaycameduring
mylastmonthatLegalAid.
Theargumentwaspremisedonapoint
oflaw,inparticularsection67and
section72oftheCriminalProcedure
Act.Therelevantfactorsofthis
argumentwereasfollows:theaccused
hadbeenreleasedonbailwhilsthaving
MY BIGGEST ADVANTAGE CAME FROM REMEMBERING HOW SIMPLE MY TASK WAS: TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF MY CLIENTS
PERSPECTIVES
Perspectives
SIX MONTHS IN THE WILDERNESS AS CORPORATE GOES CRIMINAL
29
Perspectives
securedtheservicesofaprivateattorney.
Hefailedtoappearincourtandonly
appearedonthedayofthefinalforfeiture
ofhisbailmoney.However,hearrivedlate
incourtafterthebailmoneyhadalready
beenforfeited.Themagistrategaveanex
temporae judgementjustafterlunchand
thenreleasedtheaccusedonwarning.
Whentheaccusedappearedagain
incourt,themagistratedecidedto
keephimincustodyuntilhebroughta
newapplicationforbail.Myargument
againstthatwasprimarilypremised
onthefactthatonthedayofthe ex
temporaejudgement,themagistrate
hadoptedtoreleasetheaccusedon
warning.Hisdetentionlateronwas
unlawfulashehadnotbreached
theprovisionsofsection72.
Themagistratedisagreed.His
understandingwasthathehadmade
theex temporae judgementoutof
thegoodnessofhisheartandhadnot
intendedforittoamounttoreleasing
theaccusedonwarningaspersection
72.AspartofmyargumentIsubmitted
thatwhenthecourtmadethedecision
todetainmyclient,itinessencesatasa
courtofreview/appealinitsownright,
openingthedoortolegaluncertainty.
Mysubmissiononthispointoflaw,
thatthedetentionoftheaccused
wasunlawful,lastedforanhour.The
magistratetookateabreakadjournment
toconsiderthearguments.Whenhe
returned,hisopeningremarkswere,
‘Youngman,youarguedwell.Ijust
hopethatyourclientwillnotbring
acivilclaimforwrongfularrest.’
30
By: Simphiwe Tshikila
one.Beforecommencingmyarticles
withBowmans,Ispentover15years
incivilengineering.Ithereforesought
everyopportunitythatwouldtake
meclosertomydreamofpractising
law,specificallyasanadvocate.
ThemovetothePublicDefender’s
officewasaperfectsteppingstone
totheJohannesburgBar,where
Iamcurrentlydoingpupillage.
Thrown in at the deep end
IjoinedthePublicDefender’soffice
on1August2016.Ihadbeenwarned
bythosebeforemethateven
thoughonewouldhopeforsome
trainingbeforebeingsetlooseon
theunsuspectingaccused,nothing
ofthatsortreallyhappens.LegalAid
haslimitedresourcesandisalways
short-staffedduetothe
highnumberofaccusedpeople
requiringlegalassistance.Thus,
Imademyfirstappearancein
courtonmysecondday.(The
onlyreasonIdidnotappearon
myfirstdaywasthatIhadnot
broughtmygowntowork.)
Likeeveryoneelse,Istartedat
thereceptioncourtandendedup
spendingalotofmytimethere.
Briefly,thereceptioncourtiswhere
themajorityoftheaccusedfirst
appear.Onceapersonhasbeen
arrested(orsummonsedorwarned
toappearincourt),heorsheappears
atthereceptioncourt.Theaccused
willappearagainonanumberof
occasionsinthiscourtuntilhisor
hermatterisreadyfortrial(inwhich
caseitistransferredtoatrialcourt);
orthematterisfinalisedthrough
apleaofguiltyandsentencing,or
chargesaredroppedforonereason
oranother.Thereceptioncourthas,
forobviousreasons,thebusiestcourt
rollofanyofthecriminalcourts.
Anordinarydaystartswithcase
discussionat07:30,withpractitioners
sharingideasoncasesdueincourt
thatday.Thereafter,weprepare
fortheday’ssessionbeforecourt,
whichstartsat09:00.Ifyouarelucky,
yougettoconsultwiththeaccused
beforecourtisinsession.Inmany
instances,though,thatconsultation
happenswhenthecourtisinsession
anddealingwithmattershandled
byattorneysinprivatepractice.
Atthereceptioncourt,Ihandledbail
applications,furtherappearances
(whetherpostponementsorguilty
pleas),andvariousapplicationsin
termsoftheCriminalProcedure
Act.I,wasfortunatetohandle
someinterestingmatters.
Problem more serious than petty theft
AfewweeksafterIstarted,I
representeda50-yearoldlady
onachargeoftheftofapacketof
sweets.Itthentranspiredthatshe
hadeightpreviousconvictionsfor
theft,allwithinaperiodofthree
yearsandallfor”petty”offences
LEGAL AID HAS LIMITED RESOURCES AND IS ALWAYS SHORT-STAFFED DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF ACCUSED PEOPLE REQUIRING LEGAL ASSISTANCE. THUS, I MADE MY FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT ON MY SECOND DAY
I had the honour of spending the last rotation of my articles attached to the Johannesburg office of Legal Aid South Africa. This office services a number of criminal courts in the Johannesburg area, including the Johannesburg Central Magistrate’s Court, which is where I spent most of my time. I also had a few stints at the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court.
ManyatBowmansbeforemehave
donethisrotation,andhavecome
backwithvaryinglevelsofexperience,
butallhaveenjoyedtheirtimethere.
Ofcourse,therearecertainthingsthat
donotchangeaboutthisrotation,
includingtheveryheavydailycourt
rollthatwe’veallhadtodealwith,
andthemanyfriendshipsweestablish
withprosecutors,magistrates,clerks
ofcourt,courtinterpretersand,
ofcourse,LegalAidcolleagues.
Likemostcandidateattorneyswho
havedonesobeforeme,Iwenttothe
PublicDefender’sofficespecifically
togainsomeexperienceinlitigation,
especiallyasmytransitiontothelegal
professionhadnotbeenaconventional
Perspectives
IN PURSUIT OF PERSONAL SATISFACTION: A WORTHY DETOUR?
31
valuedbelowZAR500.Iconsidered
itstrangethatsomeonewouldsteal
11chocolates,especiallyatthatage.
Afterconsultingwithherhusband,a
workingprofessionalwhoadequately
providedforthefamily,itappeared
thatshemightbesufferingfrom
kleptomania.Idulymadeouta
case,andappliedforareferralfor
observation.Therequestwasgranted
bythecourt.Afewweekslater
shereturnedtocourtwithareport
stating(Iamtold,asIhadbythen
leftthereceptioncourt),thatshe
indeedsufferedfromkleptomania.
Herfamilyhadbytheninstructeda
privateattorneytotakethematter
forward.Irealisedtheimportanceof
interactingcloselywiththeaccused
because,hadInotobservedthat
somethingwasamiss,shemight
havecontinuedto”steal”and
amassconvictionsinperpetuity.
Apartfromthebroadspectrumof
interestingcasesIencounteredatthe
PublicDefender’soffice,Igained
insightintothingsthatwouldnot
easilybefoundinbooksor,even
iftheyarementionedinbooks,
couldeasilybeoverlooked.
EventhoughIhadsetoutto
practiselawattheBar,thedetour
Itook,firsttojoinBowmans,and
secondly,tospendsixmonthsat
thePublicDefender’soffice,was
worthwhile.Imustmentionthat
whenIgottheopportunitytojoin
Bowmans,Icouldnotletthatpass
meby,andIwasmorethanwilling
toputmyultimateinterestsonhold.
Ihavenotregrettedmydecision.
Anyonewhohashadthe
inconvenienceofbeingdiverted
throughagravelroad(thedetour)
duetoroadworksonthemainroute,
willattesttothefrustrationthat
goeswithit.However,inmycase,
thiswascertainlynotthesituation.I
enjoyedeverymomentofitandwill
buildonitasIfacenewchallenges.
I GAINED INSIGHT INTO THINGS THAT WOULD NOT EASILY BE FOUND IN BOOKS OR, EVEN IF THEY ARE MENTIONED IN BOOKS, COULD EASILY BE OVERLOOKED
Perspectives
Cape Town
T: +27214807800
Dar es Salaam
T: +255768988640
Durban
T: +27312650651
Johannesburg
T: +27116699000
Kampala
T: +256414254540
Nairobi
T: +254202899000
Follow us on Twitter:
@Bowmans_Law
www.bowmanslaw.com