Nestled in Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial heartland, the Law Clinic of the University of the Free State (UFS) steps up as a vital provider of free legal services, unique to the Free State and Northern Cape regions.
Established under the auspices of the Legal Practice Act of 2014, the clinic uses the expertise of seasoned attorneys to offer aid and mentor final-year law students, merging legal theory with practical experience.
With its roots tracing back to the late 1980s, the clinic has built a formidable reputation, underscored by principles of trust, honour, and integrity.
In the recent half-decade, it has championed the legal battles of over 1 500 clients, attesting to its unwavering commitment and community trust. The clinic’s collaborative spirit is supported by its partnerships with six Community Advice Offices and its successful procurement of funding from prestigious bodies such as Legal Aid SA, the Legal Practice Council and the AULAI Trust, further solidifying its status within the legal fraternity.
Beyond its legal services, the UFS Law Clinic stands as a pillar of engaged scholarship at the university, with a mission that extends to transforming lives and making a profound societal impact.
The UFS Faculty of Law is renowned for its comprehensive legal education, fostering a commitment to justice and diversity through its three distinct departments namely Mercantile Law, Private Law, and Public Law.
Additionally, the faculty is home to the School of Financial Planning Law, the UFS Law Clinic and the Free State Centre for Human Rights. The UFS Africa Reparation Hub is a distinguished centre within the faculty, located at the Public Law department. It leads important discussions on Africa’s reparations and serves as a hub for research, teaching, and advocacy in Pan-African reparations.
The hub has a significant presence both nationally and internationally.
