Legal Aid Clinic - Univ of Stellenbosch

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The Stellenbosch University Law Clinic provides free legal advice and representation to qualifying low-income residents in the Stellenbosch area, including in domestic violence, maintenance, and family violence matters. Third-year law students handle cases under the supervision of qualified attorneys, giving survivors access to professional legal support they could not otherwise afford.

Legal Aid & Justice

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Contact & Location

: 18–24 Crozier Rd, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa
: 021 808 3485
021 808 3600
: rhkadmin@sun.ac.za
: https://www.sulawclinic.co.za/do-you-qualify/

Opening Hours

Opening hours not available. Contact the organisation directly.

About

About the Stellenbosch University Law Clinic

The Stellenbosch University (SU) Law Clinic is a law faculty teaching clinic that provides free legal services to individuals who cannot afford a private attorney. It has a long history of service to the greater Stellenbosch community, extending also to satellite offices in Ceres (second Wednesday of each month), Worcester (third Thursday of each month), and Bishop Lavis (last Wednesday of each month) — making it a genuinely regional resource across the Western Cape.

All services are delivered by third-year law students under the close supervision of qualified and admitted attorneys, ensuring that clients receive professional, legally sound assistance at no charge. The Clinic is trilingual, with its website and services available in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa.

Qualifying for Assistance (Means Test)

To access free legal services, applicants must pass a financial means test based on monthly income and assets. This is designed to ensure services reach those who genuinely cannot afford private legal representation. Applicants in areas the Clinic covers geographically are eligible; a postcode checker on the website confirms whether your area qualifies.

Services Relevant to GBV Survivors

The Clinic explicitly handles the following matters relevant to GBV survivors:

Domestic violence cases — legal advice and representation for survivors of domestic violence in accordance with Legal Aid South Africa guidelines. Initial consultations on rights, procedure and prospects of success are provided. Legal representation in court is available where the other party is represented by a lawyer or is themselves a legal practitioner.
Maintenance matters — advice and representation in maintenance applications and enforcement, including where the system has failed a client for over 12 months or where the other party is abusing the process.
Protection orders and interdicts — applications for protection orders in the Magistrates' Court, though the Clinic notes it does not assist where the other party has no attorney. Clients are assisted with preparing applications and understanding the process.
Divorce and related matters — including divorce in the context of abusive relationships.
Cases involving the protection of children and their rights — statutory matters affecting children's safety and welfare.
General family law advice — including custody, parental rights, and care-and-contact matters.

Important Limitations

The Clinic does not handle criminal cases.
Protection orders are only assisted with where the opposing party has legal representation.
Maintenance representation on behalf of a respondent or major child is excluded.
Services are limited to the Stellenbosch, Ceres, Worcester, and Bishop Lavis satellite areas.