The University of the Free State Law Clinic in collaboration with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) held a community engagement programme in Heidedal with the intention of educating the community on how the legal structure and profession work. The focus was on educating the community on what the responsibility and functions of the LPC are, as the public body in charge of governing candidate legal practitioners and legal practitioners, as well as showing residents what they should do when voicing issues.
The essential component of the initiative was explaining the difference between advocates and attorneys, enabling community members to make informed choices when seeking legal advice. The public also received precautionary guidance from the Legal Practice Council on what to look out for when entrusting money to legal practitioners, while promoting trust and accountability within the profession.
The UFS Law Clinic’s perspective on this outreach was educating the community by recognising legal issues, encouraging access to justice, and giving one-on-one consultations. Labour disputes, housing issues, legal procedures, individual consultations confidential opportunity offers and generic legal information on family sessions were some of the activities the law clinic offered and despite the low attendance rate, they did not pinpoint any legal issues that required assistance.
The outreach received challenges of low attendance, restricting the broad awareness it intended to bring forth and therefore resulting in less consultation on legal issues, identifying legal requirements of the community and overall individuals being assisted.
Community engagement and legal education remain central to the work of the Legal Practice Council, with the Heidedal programme forming part of its ongoing outreach efforts.
The Legal Practice Council continues to promote legal awareness through community outreach programmes such as the Heidedal engagement. Appreciation was extended to residents who attended and participated.
Compiled by Sibongile Selomane
 held a community outreach programme in Heidedal, intended on educating the community on how the legal structure and profession work.){kind=link}