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Paralegal skills and establishing an Advice Centre

Introduction

In South Africa it has always been difficult for poor and vulnerable people to have access to justice. Legal procedures are complicated, take a long time and often need lawyers who are very expensive. People now enjoy many new rights in terms of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other new laws, but they can only exercise these rights if they have access to the information and assistance to do so.

There is a growing movement of people who play the role of providers of information and assistance. Examples are community development workers (CDW’s) working in local government structures, advice centre workers, workers in welfare organisations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and shopstewards in trade unions.

The general name for people who act as legal advisors and educators for communities is 'paralegals'.

Paralegals play an important role in providing access to justice in a transforming justice system. The Department of Justice is investigating ways of giving poor rural people access to legal help and has recognised the importance of involving paralegals in any new system that is developed.

It is hoped that paralegals will become a strong link between people who traditionally were denied access to justice and the legal system that will ensure justice for all. This chapter looks at the different roles paralegals play and covers the skills they need to do their work. The last section looks at the process of establishing and running a community advice centre.