Quote of the week
An ‘important purpose of section 34 [of the Constitution] is to guarantee the protection of the judicial process to persons who have disputes that can be resolved by law’ and that the right of access to court is ‘foundational to the stability of an orderly society. It ensures the peaceful, regulated and institutionalised mechanisms to resolve disputes, without resorting to self-help. The right of access to court is a bulwark against vigilantism, and the chaos and anarchy which it causes. Construed in this context of the rule of law and the principle against self-help in particular, access to court is indeed of cardinal importance’.The right guaranteed s34 would be rendered meaningless if court orders could be ignored with impunity:the underlying purposes of the right — and particularly that of avoidance of self-help — would be undermined if litigants could decide which orders they wished to obey and which they wished to ignore.
Victoria Park Ratepayers' Association v Greyvenouw CC and others (511/03) [2003] ZAECHC 19 (11 April 2003)
Internships at Human Rights Commission
INTERNSHIPS
The SAHRC is currently inviting applications for postgraduate law students to apply for internships at the Western Cape Office of the South African Human Rights Commission.
Requirements:
An appropriate four-year legal qualification with courses preferably in:
- Constitutional Law, Law of Evidence, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Criminal
Law and Interpretation of Statutes;
- · Knowledge of Human Rights Law;
- Knowledge of Constitutional developments;
- Relevant practical experience would be a recommendation;
- The applicant should have computer word processing skills.
SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES
Very specific attributes required are as follows:
ABSOLUTE commitment to the success of the Commission
- Reliability
- Tact
- Organised
- Integrity
- Good Team Player
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Networking skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Pro active
- Innovative
- Can handle pressure
- Punctual and able to meet deadlines
- Assertive
- Computer literacy and good knowledge and experience of IT systems
- Enthusiasm to learn
We would appreciate if you advise students of this opportunity.
Ability to speak isiXhosa will be an advantage.
Interested students are invited to contact our offices for further information.
