The Centres and Units whereby the faculty is involved, are:

Centre for Financial Planning Law				Centre for Estate Planning Law
Centre for Business Law				Centre for Judicial Excellence
Centre for Labour Law				Unit for Children’s rights
UFS Law Clinic
Centre for Financial Planning Law Extraordinary professor:  Mr IDJ van de Merwe Director: Mr WM Oosthuizen -  UFS students excel (Read more at the links above/right)
Centre for Business Law Department of Mercantile Law Prof JJ Henning (Head);  Prof E Snyman-van Deventer - Overview - Publications
Centre for Labour Law Department of Mercantile Law Prof JV du Plessis (Director) - Short learning programmes - Certificate ceremony
Centre for Estate Planning Law Department of Private Law Messrs K Mould and J Faber (Heads) -  Publication Trust Law Seminar  Presented by Prof. Willie van der Westhuizen 26 September 2008 (Report)
UFS presents Law of Succession and Administration of Estates Seminar The Centre for Estate Planning Law and the Centre for Financial Planning Law in the Faculty of Law of the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted a seminar on Law Succession and Administration of Estates. Expert speakers, including Prof. Rita Marie Jansen, Department of Private Law at the UFS, Adv. Wessel Oosthuizen, Centre for Financial Planning Law at the UFS, and Mr Dolf Schutte, practising attorney from Naudés Bloemfontein focused on practical aspects of and new developments in, amongst others, estate planning, the administration of deceased estates, the law of succession, customary law and estate duty. At the seminar were, from the left: Adv. Oosthuizen, Mr Schutte; back: Mr Marius Botha, financial planner from Cape Town, and Prof. Francois du Toit, University of the Western Cape.
Front, from left: Adv Wessel Oosthuizen, Dolf Schutte; Back, from left: Marius Botha, Prof. Francois du Toit Photo: Stephen Collet				Front, from left: Adv Wessel Oosthuizen, Dolf Schutte, Pieter Brits, Adv Shirly Hyland; Middle, from left: Marius Botha, Louis van Vuren, Prof Francois du Toit; Back, from left: Kenneth Mould, James Faber.    Photo: Stephen Collet
Die Sentrum vir Boedelbeplanningsreg het Vrydag 28 Augustus 2009 'n baie suksesvolle seminaar gehou oor die verskuilde probleme wat trusts inhou.  Prof. Willie van der Westhuizen van Millers Prokureurs in George was die spreker en het weereens insiggewende kennis aan die seminaargangers meegedeel.  Prof. Willie is 'n buitengewone hoogleraar in die Departement Privaatreg aan die Fakulteit Regsgeleerdheid van die UV.  Die seminaar is goed bygewoon deur sowat 50 prokureurs en finansiële beplanners.				Van links na regs: Louis van Vuren (BoE); prof. Willie van der Westhuizen (Millers Prokureurs, buitengewone hoogleraar in die Departement Privaatreg); Kenneth Mould (Sentrum vir Boedelbeplanningsreg); Pieter Brits (Sentrum vir Boedelbeplanningsreg).
Centre for Judicial Excellence Dean's Office Prof E Snyman-van Deventer (Head)				UFS academic speaks at Family Law Conference
The Faculty of Law at the UFS’s Centre for Judicial Excellence, together with the International Association of Woman Judges South Africa and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, recently co-hosted a Family Law Conference. The theme of the conference was “The use of family law as a vehicle towards the advancement and empowerment of women for the achievement of gender equality in a democratic society”. The conference also served the dual purpose of re-launching the Free State Division of The International Association of Woman Judges. One of the speakers at this occasion was Prof. Rita-Marie Jansen from the Department of Private Law at the UFS. She presented a paper on Social and Cultural Considerations on Custody and Care of African Children. Amongst others, the conference was attended by members of the judiciary, the magistrates’ commission, practising attorneys and advocates, various non-governmental organisations, lecturers and students from the faculty and learners with an interest in pursuing the study of law.				At the conference were, from the left: Judge M. Maya, Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Judge S.P.B. Hancke, Judge of the Free State High Court and Chairperson of the UFS Council, Judge B.C. Mocumie, Judge of the Free State High Court, and Aadil Seedat, learner from Grey College. Photo: Stephen Collett
Unit for Legal Risk Studies Department of Mercantile Law Extraordinary professor:  Adv J Lubbe (SC) Prof JJ Henning (Head);  Adv JH de Bruin				Short Learning Programmes envisaged in new partnership
Unit for Children’s rights Department for Criminal and Medical Law Adv JM Reyneke (Head)   -  2008 Report    2009 Report				Human Trafficking Initiative -  Conference.  -  Workshop - Unit for Children’s Rights instrumental
WORKSHOP:  PERSPECTIVES ON INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTIONS  -  24 JULY 2009 All those concerned about or working in the field of inter-country adoptions, who have the desire to increase their knowledge and to improve their expertise, attended a workshop on Perspectives on inter-country adoptions. With a national and international expert contributing to the content of the program, it promised to be a workshop from which all attendees stand to benefit greatly. Over the course of the workshop there was ample opportunity for networking and informally meeting and speaking with the presenters. Making new and important contacts at the multi-disciplinary level is one of the best, and most practical, ways to enhance the understanding of inter-country adoptions and contribute towards the effective implementation thereof in the best interest of the child.
				In October 2008 Merab Kiremire of Namibia, Maxwel Matewere of Kenia, Beatri Kruger of the University of the Free State and Marques de Sousa of Unicef, Ethiopia presented papers at the Southern Africa Network against Trafficking and Abuse of Children (SANTAC) Conference in Maputo, Mozambique.
In the past year contact has been made and cooperation established with various national and international key participants working in the field to combat human trafficking.  In this regard Beatri Kruger, Department of Criminal and Medical Law, has delivered papers on human trafficking issues at the International CHASTE Conference on Human Trafficking in London,  Miller Du Toit Family Law Conference (Cape Town);  Border Control International Conference (Pretoria); International Organisation for Migration  Workshop (Bloemfontein) and Midsa International Conference (Durban). In cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration, the Unit for Children's Rights is compiling a database of multi-disciplinary service providers to assist in addressing local human trafficking cases.   On 20 August 2008 the Unit for Children's Rights held a meeting at the UFS for various role-players to strenghten the counter trafficking initiative by sharing recent research and further future cooperation.  At the meeting was from left to right  Professor Susan Kreston, former fulbright professor in the Unit for Children's Rights; advocate Beatri Kruger, Unit for Children's Rights;  Laura Bermudez, researcher at the International Organisation for Migration, Boitumelo Qalinge, senior law student researching child trafficking and Mamello Mahaselo, Free State Network on Violence against Women.
Adv. Beatri talks about human trafficking Here are, from the left: Verna Stevens, law student as well as a student at the School for Legal Practice Bloemfontein; Marietjie van der Westhuizen, attached to the school; Adv. Beatri Kruger from our Unit for Children’s Rights; and Willem Spangenberg, Director of the school. Photo: Leonie Bolleurs				Adv. Beatri Kruger from our Unit for Children’s Rights at the Faculty of Law recently addressed a group of students at the School for Legal Practice Bloemfontein about human trafficking. This year, the pro bono project of the group of students, some of whom are candidate attorneys and other students from our Faculty of Law, entails an awareness programme at a children’s home in Bloemfontein about human trafficking. Adv. Beatri’s lecture helped prepare the students how to inform children about the dangers of human trafficking and the methods used by dealers to lure them away by means of false promises of work or training opportunities. -Leonie Bolleurs
Unit For Medical Law And Bio-Ethics  Department for Criminal and Medical Law Prof H Oosthuizen (Head)
Unit for Legal History Research Departement for Roman Law, Legal History and Comparative Law Dr NP Swartz & Ms A Ellis (Heads)
UFS Law Clinic Director: Adv I Bezuidenhout   The clinic is currently located on premises at 142 Zastron Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein, telephone 051-4485940. - News letter, 2008.  - Vista campus.  - Report 2008 - Community Service and Service Learning - CS & CSL 2010				The existence and operation of the UFS Law Clinic is made possible by valuable funding that is annually received from the Attorneys' Fidelity Fund, the University and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.   Except for the Christmas break in December, it remains open throughout the year. Its primary objectives are to provide indigent members of society with free legal services and secondly to provide our law students with valuable practical experience.  Apart from delivering free legal services and practical legal training to our students, the Clinic engages, with the input of law students, in various community outreach programmes such as school presentations and school learner camps.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development / Association of University Legal Aid Institutions Site Visit to UFS Law Clinic
				Front row – from the left: Sehaam Samaai (President of AULAI), Anthony Canham (Deputy Director Learning and Development: DOJ&CD), Aniki Van Wyk (Projects Operations Manager: AULAI), Professor J.V. Du Plessis ( Secundus Dean). BACK ROW – LEFT TO RIGHT: Adv I.J. Bezuidenhout (UFS Law Clinic), Frans Haupt (Director: Pretoria Law Clinic, Vice President: AULAI), Dr. C.F. Swanepoel (Director UFS Law Clinic, Head of Department Procedural Law and Law of Evidence).
During May 2008 the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the Association of University Legal Aid Institutions conducted a site visit at the University of the Free State Law Clinic, in terms of a co-operative agreement between the Law Clinic and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. In terme van die National Youth Strengthening Program voltooi nege kandidaat- prokureurs hul leerklerkskappe by die UV Regskliniek. Die doel van die besoek was om die vordering en welslae van die projek te evalueer. During the visit the representatives paid a visit to the Faculty of Law, Batho Magistrates Court and the Law Clinic. Although the main purpose of this project lies in candidate attorney training there is a secondary focus on access to justice via the services provided by the Law Clinic and the candidate attorneys. The representatives were impressed with the candidate’s court appearances and effectiveness in providing legal assistance to indigent members of the community. Die terugvoer wat die Kliniek ontvang het na afloop van die besoek was besonder positief en was daar waardevolle voorstelle gemaak om te verseker dat die Regskliniek volgehoue doeltreffende opleiding en gemeenskapsdiens lewer.
Practical legal training Around 70 final year law students are currently part of practical training as part of RPK 412 and 422. (Legal Practice). Students, in the period under report, were trained in numeracy, the drafting of bills of cost, the drafting of letters, pleadings, applications and notices as well as in advocacy skills. As from 2008, it is compulsory for students to participate at least once in a mock trial as part of RPK 422. This exercise takes place in August 2008. The locality of the clinic in the period under review caused considerable problems in terms of accessibility for students as was mentioned earlier. The bus service between the two campuses is simply not designed or ideal for continuous travel by students for purposes of practical training. Resultantly, we were forced to present PLT on main campus which we all know, experiences dire difficulties with the provision of venues. Legal services The clinic currently provides free legal services in district court criminal cases and in civil cases. The latter is predominately family-related. Continuous attempts are made to advertise the services of the clinic with the broad public. These attempts are of course equally important for purposes of exposing students in PLT to the ‘live client’ experience. Currently around 250 civil cases are handled by the clinic in various stages of completion and around 376 criminal cases. Further module in community service and service learning. This year a special module regarding community service and service learning was introduced. There are 6 final year students that are participating under the sterling guidance of Miss MG Karels. The module is based on the ‘street law’ concept and students have already delivered a number of school and inter-faculty talks. Students in the course are currently in the process of planning a school camp later this year. Miss Karels will report more fully on the module. Central community service and service learning committee. Staff of the clinic serves on the central university committee. Recently, on request of this committee, applications for funds were again lodged for the further implementation and extension of service learning modules.				The clinic is currently located on premises at 142 Zastron Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein. The clinic relocated to the old Vista campus on 19.03.07 and was conducted from a number of offices of the former faculty of law on the site. The Clinic was formally inaugurated in March 2008 with the unveiling of a plague by the Dean. The inauguration was well attended by members of the Faculty, the professions and court personnel.  The premises, although functional, neat and spacious, did not meet our requirements in terms of accessibility, both by students and clients.   Staff The current staff of the clinic is: Adv I Bezuidenhout - Director;  supervising advocate in charge of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s youth training programme and part-time lecturer. Prof. CF Swanepoel - supervising professor. Miss MG Karels - supervising attorney, Faculty co-ordinator community service and service learning and part-time lecturer. Mr. EC Muller - supervising attorney in charge of civil legal services. Miss E Kiewiedo - sectretary. Miss. Y Rantho - candidate attorney. Mr. J Motsatse - candidate attorney Mnr. K Motsatse - candidate attorney Mnr. P Mohloding - candidate attorney. Mej. K Keikabile - candidate attorney Mnr. R Ishmail - candidate attorney Mnr K Matee - candidate attorney Mnr T Nyakama - candidate attorney . Mnr P Maxaka - candidate attorney .
UFS Law Clinic launches Access to Justice Cluster in the Eastern Free State
				Role players at the first meeting of the Access to Justice Cluster
In order to initiate support services for various paralegal associations in the Eastern Free State, the Law Clinic at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently launched the Free State Access to Justice Cluster. The cluster that is funded by Atlantic Philanthropists is managed by the UFS Law Clinic as part of their community engagement initiatives. The overall objective of the cluster is to increase access to justice to rural and indigent communities in the region. Furthermore, quality legal services will be provided to all individuals and groups whose fundamental rights have been abused; the professional capacity of paralegals will be improved; and workshops will be facilitated to inform communities regarding their rights and duties to empower them. Adv. Inez Bezuidenhout from the UFS Law Clinic says, “The clinic envisages reaching the aforesaid objectives through the provision of support legal services; providing training, assisting with the dissemination of information and lobbying for a stronger and an expanded network of stakeholders in the access to justice arena.” This initial meeting, attended by various delegates from the Eastern Free State region, was mainly geared towards the identification of challenges and to establish solutions to the problems experienced by paralegals in the provision of legal services in rural communities. “The cluster is a non-governmental organisation independent of any political party or religious affiliation. It comprises different organisations all aimed at assisting indigent community members with access to justice,” says Adv. Bezuidenhout. edumela - 2010:05:12