SA part of climate case at world’s highest court
Historic climate change advisory: what the case before the International Court of Justice might mean and why it is significant.
Stokvels secure income and social capital
A stokvel research project at Wits could lead to greater financial freedom, transparency, and accessibility for members.
Digital trade protocol for Africa: why it matters, what’s in it and what’s still missing
Africa’s market share of the digital trade globally is small. But it has expanded rapidly, outpacing the global average.
SA’s laws aren’t geared to protecting against climate change: judges are trying to fill the gap
The is no law specifically obliges companies building new developments like power stations to do a climate change assessment before they start construction.
Dass elected President of the SA University Law Clinics Association
Daven Dass, a key figure in clinical legal education, is dedicated to promoting excellence and access to justice.
Law Clinic a proud and vigorous force for good
Retired judge Edwin Cameron applauds the Wits Law Clinic for its role in embedding public interest law in the country.
Budding entrepreneur cracks student market
Passion, strategy and excellence creates a flourishing business for law student.
Black Sash withdraws litigation challenging SRD grant regulations
Following amended regulations announced in August, the Black Sash Trust has withdrawn litigation on social relief of distress grants
Victory in march towards justice for unpaid pension beneficiaries
CALS represents Open Secrets and the Unpaid Benefits Campaign in holding the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to account for unlawfully cancelled pensions
Wits Law Professor appointed Chairperson of National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council
Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed chairperson of the newly established National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.
Artisanal gold mining in South Africa is out of control
Artisanal gold mining is highly organised and rule-bound. Men, women and even children participate a hierarchy sustained by buyers, sponsors and customers.
Wits-trained lawyer awarded 2022 Calgary Peace Prize
Fatima Hassan acknowledged for her work against global health inequality.
Restore accountability to the Legislature
Justice Moloto bemoans decade of ‘accountability inertia’ and asks graduates to contribute to people- driven democracy.
KZN floods - the cost of “loss and damage”
COP27 — the next battleground for climate justice and damage compensation.
Tackling how data from your Health App is used
New research project will explore ways to protect the personal health data of African app users.
Constitutional Court to hear argument on SLAPP suits
CALS will be in the Constitutional Court on Thursday to argue that the law needs to be developed to respond to strategic litigation against public participation
Malawi court to hear argument on decriminalising sex between minors
CALS hopes to assist the High Court of Malawi sitting as the Constitutional Court in a matter that raises important issues around children's rights
State Capture Report
Publications by academics from Wits and the Public Affairs Research Institute feature in the Report.
Civil society responds to Zondo Commission report
The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture urges the Commission to ensure those who enabled state capture are held to account
Announcing the top 32 PIL Moot teams
CALS and the Student Litigation Society announce the 32 teams through to the second round of this year's Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition
Law Clinic brings hope even under hard conditions
Hundreds of legal clients in just months underscores the desperation of the indigent even during lockdown.
Con Court to hear argument on pensions and right to social security
CALS is appearing before the Constitutional Court in a matter that raises important questions about the right to social security and access to courts
President awards Witsies National Orders
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has awarded four Witsies his office’s highest honour for their services to South Africa.
South African Research Chair on Equality, Law and Social Justice launches Research Report
Expert legal opinion on COVID-19 TRIPS Waiver published
Prof Tshepo Madlingozi has signed an expert legal opinion which finds states have an obligation not to block the proposed COVID-19 TRIPS Waiver
‘Foreplay’ judgment: problematic judicial views around consent in rape cases persists
In SA it is alarming and legally dangerous to have a judgment that consensual foreplay implies consent for penetration and sex, and thus rape did not occur.
SACTJ calls for a national conference to develop a reparations policy
The South African Coalition for Transitional Justice calls for a reparations policy for those who have experienced gross human rights violations
Regional consultation on third draft treaty on business and human rights
CALS and our partners invite you to join a virtual consultation on the latest draft of the legally binding instrument on business and human rights on 12 October
Register for this year's Public Interest Law Gathering
Registration is open for the virtual Public Interest Law Gathering taking place on 13 and 14 October 2021
CALS Quarterly Issue 14
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and find out about our work trying to promote equality and social change
Book launch: Mental Health, Legal Capacity and Human Rights
Join us for the virtual launch of "Mental Health, Legal Capacity and Human Rights" co-edited by CALS fellow Faraaz Mahomed
Supporting women in mining communities facing gender-based violence
CALS is partnering with Women Affected by Mining United in Action to host a series of workshops around the country on gender-based violence
African Human Rights Court undermined by resistance from states
The court has lived up to its promise in most cases, issuing some progressive and ground-breaking decisions and remedies.
Save the date for the Public Interest Law Gathering
This year's Public Interest Law Gathering will take place virtually on 13 and 14 October 2021
Former Minister Bathabile Dlamini to be prosecuted for perjury
Former Minister Bathabile Dlamini faces prosecution for perjury following statements to the Constitutional Court and before a section 38 inquiry
#HimOrMe: Trial set to begin for mother of two accused of killing abuser
CALS is set to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court to defend a woman accused of killing her abusive partner during an incident of domestic violence
Think big to heal South African society
The ructions caused by the pandemic are an opportunity to reconsider core values and spending priorities to address our social ills.
Public Interest Litigation Threats: Cost Orders
Civil society organisations are hosting a workshop on 9 September on the threat of cost orders to public interest litigation
Op-ed: Why civil unrest shows South Africa needs to implement a basic income grant
Abongile Nkamisa of CALS argues that recent civil unrest draws attention to the urgent need for universal basic income support
Civil Society calls on accountability for state capture criminals
The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture connects recent civil unrest to the legacy of state capture and corruption
Solidarity with democracy defenders in Eswatini
Over sixty civil society organisations write an open letter expressing concern over the current situation in Eswatini
From the flames of looting to democratic regeneration
Over the past week, democratic constitutionalism and the rule of law have undergone a massive stress test.
CALS response to the current state of unrest
CALS expresses deep concern over the current unrest and calls for a response which includes immediate social relief and long-term change to address inequality
C19 People's Coalition statement on recent civil unrest
The Coalition responds to the recent civil unrest and the role of government in addressing the underlying issues of economic injustice
Wits tackles water crisis through new water research programme
The Claude Leon Foundation will fund two research chairs and a research programme in water stewardship worth R15.7 million.
CALS Quarterly Issue 13
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and find out about our work trying to ensure justice and accountability
Access to information victory for CALUSA
The Mthatha High Court recently ordered the Sakhisizwe Local Municipality to release documents related to its state of governance
Open letter on vaccinating mining-affected communities
Civil society sends open letter to the President, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Minister of Health on the need to vaccinate mining communities
Rosettenville residents demand urgent reconnection of water
CALS represents residents from Rosettenville in Johannesburg whose water supply has been unlawfully disconnected by Johannesburg Water
Palesa Madi appointed Deputy Director at CALS
CALS is very pleased to announce that Ms Palesa Madi has officially been appointed as Deputy Director of our organisation
The fine legal line between legitimate protest and criminality
A protest which results in a shutdown and interference with the rights of others may delegitimise the cause and allow the government to escape accountability.
Statement on the situation in Palestine
Members of the Bertha Justice Network speak out about the current humanitarian crisis in Palestine
Doing good for communities
Wits law entities are using their expertise for public good in society.
Former Minister Bathabile Dlamini pays costs of social grants litigation
CALS, Black Sash and Freedom Under Law note that former Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini has paid the costs awarded against her personally
Challenge to secretive appointments process for financial regulator
CALS represents Open Secrets and the Unpaid Benefits Campaign in a challenge to the secretive process for making appointments to the FSCA
Mining community networks in court to challenge Mining Charter
CALS is in the Pretoria High Court this week for a review of the 2018 Mining Charter which we believe was developed without meaningfully engaging communities
Open letter against state capture and corruption
The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture publishes an open letter on state capture and corruption to mark Freedom Day 2021
Occupiers of Cissie Gool House reach settlement with City of Cape Town
CALS represents some of the 900 people facing eviction by the City of Cape Town and are working to ensure their rights are protected during this process
Open letter on special COVID-19 grant
Civil society calls on the President, Treasury and Department of Social Development to extend the special COVID-19 relief of distress grant
The final rounds of the PIL Moot Court Competition
On 15 and 16 April, CALS hosted the final rounds of this year's Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition in partnership with the Student Litigation Society
CALS Quarterly Issue 12
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and find out about our recent wins and losses around activist victimisation and more
Announcing the semi-finalists of the PIL Moot Court Competition
A huge congratulations to the four teams going into the semi-finals of this year's Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition
Hearing of witness testimony on assisted dying set to begin
Next week, two individuals with terminal illnesses will begin testifying about why they want the right to die
Occupiers of Cissie Gool House face City of Cape Town in court
CALS represents around 900 people currently facing eviction from Cissie Gool House in Cape Town
Former Minister Bathabile Dlamini defies Constitutional Court
Ms Dlamini has so far avoided all efforts at recovering legal costs she was directed to pay by the Constitutional Court over two years ago
ISS-Wits School of Law Joint PhD Programme
The Wits School of Law and International Institute of Social Studies invite applications from prospective, joint PhD applicants on a range of topics.
High Court rules 'SLAPP' suit by mining companies constitutes abuse of process
Deputy Judge President Goliath yesterday ruled that a defamation case brought against environmental activists is inconsistent with our constitutional values
Con Court to hear argument on police failures in gang rape case
CALS is set to present argument on secondary trauma and the duty of care that police have towards victims of crime, particularly sexual offences
Rosettenville residents defend eviction continuing during lockdown
CALS represents a group of residents from Rosettenville who will be left homeless if an eviction order is granted against them on Monday 1 February
CALS to present evidence on assisted dying
The High Court today granted CALS leave to present evidence supporting the recognition of the right to die with dignity
Towards a People's Vaccine Call to Action
The C19 People's Coalition calls for a just response to COVID-19 including equitable access to an effective vaccine
CALS Quarterly Issue 11
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and learn how we are supporting activists, challenging unfair decisions and more
Professor Cathi Albertyn cited in ground-breaking judgment
The School of Law’s SARChI Chair, Professor Cathi Albertyn, has been cited in a ground-breaking judgment on equality for domestic workers.
Goldfields Community Forum challenges order silencing activists
CALS and R2P are in the Bloemfontein High Court on 26 November representing the Goldfields Community Forum challenging an interdict against protest
CALS and Right2Protest condemn attack on #EndSARS protesters
The Right2Protest Project hosted at CALS raises concerns over the brutal treatment of protesters in Nigeria calling for an end to police brutality
African organisations push for a legally binding treaty
Civil society organisations and affected communities host an interactive workshop on the second revised draft of the binding treaty on business and human rights
South African community wins right to access mining application. But who will win the war?
Clashes between mining companies and communities are often about the age-old question of whether mining can benefit the many or only a selected few.
CALS to partner with Attorney General Alliance
This week CALS signed a memorandum of understanding with the African chapter of the Attorney General Alliance (AGA-Africa)
Extend and increase special grants to prevent a humanitarian crisis
Civil Society demands that the government provide support to the most vulnerable in this moment of crisis by extending and increasing SRD and caregivers grants
No merit to defamation case against anti-corruption activist
CALS represents Eastern Cape activist Lungile Mxube who will be appearing in court on Thursday for a defamation case we argue is meritless
An African Response to the Revised Draft Treaty on Business & Human Rights
On 6 October, CALS and ACCA will be hosting a webinar to formulate an African response to the current draft of the Binding Treaty on Business & Human Rights
CALS Quarterly Issue 10
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter – featuring game-changing judgments, celebrations, our brand new moot court competition and more
Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition
CALS and the Student Litigation Society invite students of law at South African universities to participate in a Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition
COVID-19: Dirty water for sale in rural communities
Communities all over South Africa are faced with a water crisis resulting from systemic governance failures
Virtual book launch: 'A Better Future'
Join us for the virtual launch of "A Better Future: The Role of Higher Education for Displaced and Marginalised People" on 2 October 2020 from 15:30 SAST
Game-changing judgment for Xolobeni community on mining rights applications
CALS staff recognised in M&G 200 Young South Africans
CALS Acting Deputy Director, Palesa Madi, and Stanley Malematja from Right2Protest appear on this year's list of the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans
Farewell to a giant of human rights George Bizos
CALS mourns the loss of a true giant of human rights lawyering, our friend and colleague George Bizos
A hero has fallen - rest in peace Advocate George Bizos
Rest in peace Advocate Bizos, knowing that you have left a lasting legacy in gifting freedom to our people.
Live animal export cannot continue without strict standards in place
One week after the High Court ruled sheep may only be exported live by sea under strict welfare standards, they are already being loaded onto a waiting ship
Joint Statement Concerning the Ruling Against Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa
Many voice concern over the judgment against Beatrice Mtetwa which undermines the right to freedom of expression and rights of the accused and detained
Social justice organisations welcome new lockdown regulations on evictions
New regulations governing lockdown alert level two offer greater protections against evictions and demolitions
Court to hear arguments on preventing export of live animals
The Eastern Cape High Court is set to hear arguments in an interdict to prevent around 70,000 sheep from being exported live to the Middle East
Virtual workshop on Decolonial Comparative Law
Join us for a virtual workshop on Decolonial Comparative Law from 6 - 7 October co-hosted with the Wits School of Law and the Max Planck Institute in Hamburg
Officials face arrest for once again failing to supply water
Limpopo communities call for officials to face jail time and personal costs for consistent failure to provide water in line with court orders even amid pandemic
Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng appointed as UN Special Rapporteur
CALS welcomes the appointment of Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health
CALS Quarterly Issue 9
What we've been working on during lockdown, featuring human rights defenders facing SLAPP suits, the difficulties of trying to stay home without a home and more
How to stay home without a home
CALS is very pleased to be partnering with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on a project addressing home, land and tenure issues during lockdown
Court to hear arguments on SLAPP suits
We are intervening in a 'defamation' case against environmental activists we believe is a perfect example of strategic litigation against public participation
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Green New Eskom Digital Rally
Join the Climate Justice Coalition in calling for a green new Eskom at a digital rally this World Environment Day
Housing is critical for healthcare during lockdown
Social justice movements and organisations call on government to a reinstate blanket ban on evictions
Celebrating one year with Prof Tshepo Madlingozi
To mark his first anniversary with us, CALS would like to show our appreciation for a leader who has proved both brilliant and compassionate in trying times
Human rights monitors under threat
CALS has been admitted as a friend of the court in a matter where the City is attempting to block human rights monitors from accessing a shelter
First online admission in Gauteng of new attorney
A member of staff of the Wits Law Clinic is the first attorney in Gauteng to be admitted to the high court online.
Civil society calls for extension to evictions moratorium
Dozens of organisations have endorsed a letter to the National Command Council asking for the moratorium on evictions to continue during alert level four
Judgment confirms community inclusion in mining regulations
The Labour Court has ordered the state to adopt measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in mines and to engage meaningfully with affected communities
Ongoing exclusion of mining communities during coronavirus pandemic
Civil society is still concerned over the exclusion of mining affected communities from deliberations and lack of measures to protect them from the coronavirus
UN expert calls for reform of corporate accountability measures
Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky argues that our work trying to hold apartheid's banks to account shows the need for urgent reform of the OECD accountability mechanism
Mining communities head to court for protection from COVID-19
Community network MACUA, represented by CALS, is applying to intervene as a friend of the court in AMCU's urgent Labour Court application
Call to address coronavirus in correctional centres
University human rights centres call for South African government’s intervention on correctional centres’ conditions during the coronavirus pandemic
Wits adopts global ethics code to make research more equitable
Wits University has adopted the Global Code of Conduct for Research in Resource-Poor Settings (GCC) to curtail the practice of ethics dumping.
Comments on mining sector lockdown amendments
We respond to the amendments to Lockdown regulations relating to the mining sector
Call to address the plight of migrants
University centres call on the state to address the plight of migrants during the coronavirus crisis
Open letter on mining communities and coronavirus
Civil society writes to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Gwede Mantashe on measures to protect mining-affected communities and workers from coronavirus
Comment on possible forced relocations
A response to the State identifying areas for de-densification in an effort to combat the spread of Coronavirus
Social justice movements call for moratorium on evictions
27 social justice movements and organisations have written to government calling for a moratorium on all evictions in light of the coronavirus pandemic
CALS Quarterly Issue 8
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter – find out about social justice in the time of a pandemic, recent access to info victories and more
#HimOrMe: Trial begins for mother of two accused of killing abuser
CALS is set to appear in the Palmridge Magistrates Court to defend a woman accused of killing her abusive partner during an incident of domestic violence
Report on incidents in G4S-run prison released
The Department of Correctional Services has complied with a court order to release a report on incidents at Mangaung Correctional Centre
State ordered to give reasons for super max prison transfer
We appeared in the High Court last week representing an individual moved to South Africa’s only super maximum security prison for no clear reason
Launch: Joint civil society submission on state capture
On 19 February the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture will launch a joint submission to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry
Court orders report on incidents in G4S-run prison to be made public
Today the High Court granted us access to a report into incidents at G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre and ordered G4S and the state to pay our costs
Xolobeni: Mining applications should be made public
CALS will be in the Pretoria High Court on 10 February, arguing that mining communities should be able to access mining rights applications
Event: Civil society and the Pan-African Parliament
Join us for a side event at this year's Alternative Mining Indaba hosted in partnership with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Communities speak out on mining regulations
On Friday, 31 January, members of mining affected community networks and civil society groups will hand deliver comments on two important bills to the DMR
Call for arrests after Municipality once again fails to comply with court order
Communities call for officials to face jail time and personal costs for consistent failure to provide water in line with court order
Rock steady, grassy green
COLUMN: Reflections on former Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron’s critical jurisprudence and the environment.
What’s needed to fix collapsing coalitions in South Africa’s cities
Successful coalition governance ultimately depends on political maturity and the ability to govern across divisions.
What’s needed to fix collapsing coalitions in South Africa’s cities
Three South African cities run by opposition party coalitions for the past three years have been facing tough times.
Con Court rules common purpose applies in rape cases
CALS appeared in the Constitutional Court today for a landmark judgment that confirms a person can be found guilty of rape on the basis of common purpose
Congratulations to Louis Snyman on completing his PhD
We send our warmest congratulations to the head of our Environmental Justice programme on the completion of his PhD
Fair trade: Your soul for data?
In an increasingly data-driven world, are we just walking data sources for the benefit of giant multinational corporations?
School of Law celebrates Justice Cameron
The Wits School of Law honoured Justice Edwin Cameron with a Symposium on Wednesday 4 September.
CALS to argue common purpose should apply to rape
CALS will appear tomorrow in a landmark case before the Con Court dealing with whether someone can be found guilty of rape on the basis of common purpose
School of Law Prizegiving Event 2019
Top students recognised at Prizegiving.
CALS intern wins Student Change Maker Award
Congratulations to Abongile Nkamisa, a current CALS intern, on winning a 2019 Woza Women in Law Award
Women's Socio-Economic Rights
CALS & the ICJ commemorate Women's Month on 14 August with a discussion on gendered economic & social violence – with keynote address by Justice Yvonne Mokgoro
European authorities refuse to investigate apartheid's banks
Authorities in Belgium & Luxembourg are refusing to investigate CALS' complaint detailing the role of European banks in supporting and profiting from apartheid
The mouth of a shark
COLUMN: Adanma Yisa shares her journey of being an African researcher in Africa today, but raised and educated in the Global North.
Mining-affected communities are in a crisis which present law cannot address
At the centre of the demands is the communities’ struggle for the industry and government to recognise the right to free prior and informed consent.
Rape and the principle of common purpose
Con Court admits CALS as friend of the court in an important matter dealing with whether someone can be found guilty of rape on the basis of common purpose
Radically reimagining justice
Join us for an event co-hosted with the Incarceration Nations Network on 8 November 2019 featuring guests from Ghana, Brazil, Kenya, Norway, the U.S. and more
Read the latest issue of the CALS Quarterly
Meet our new Director, catch up on Apartheid's Banks, bail applications and more
Wits Law Clinic Tackles Fraudulent Marriages
The Wits Law Clinic, through its pro bono Family, Gender and Child Unit, is holding the Department of Home Affairs to account for fraudulent marriages.
Court denies bail to mother of two awaiting trial after abusive partner's death
CALS joins landmark case on assisted dying
The High Court today admitted CALS as a friend of the court in a matter brought by two terminally ill individuals against the Minister of Health and Others
Judicial approaches to poverty
The first in our series of seminars bringing together current and former acting judges to discuss the issues they face in courtrooms took place on 30 May 2019
PG Diploma and LLM mid-year intake
The Wits School of Law is accepting candidates for Postgraduate Diploma and LLM study beginning in July 2019.
Apartheid's banks no closer to facing justice
One year after CALS and Open Secrets brought to light evidence that European banks profited from apartheid, no decision has been made on whether to investigate
Urban Law Day
School and UN-Habitat Urban Legislation Unit host first first Urban Law Day to take place in global South.
Dr Tshepo Madlingozi appointed as new CALS Director
We are very pleased to announce Dr Tshepo Madlingozi has been appointed as the new Director of CALS from June this year
Resisting the looters who stole our human rights
This Human Rights Day, civil society working group recognises the struggle against state capture as a struggle for human rights
CALS connects social justice and academia
CALS is not only a law clinic, but also a research centre at Wits University. We have a unique role to play in connecting social justice and academia
Former CALS Director to be knighted
Prof Bonita Meyersfeld will be appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit by France for her work on gender-based violence on 19 March 2019
Wits Moot Team wins African Regional round of the Oxford Price Media Moot Competition
The team also won an award for Best Written Submissions.