Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year: Webber Wentzel – African Legal Awards 2015
Webber Wentzel wins litigation award for work championing the rights of vulnerable members of society in legal challenge
November 25, 2015 at 06:31 AM
2 minute read
Finalists
Aluko & Oyebode
Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group
Eversheds
Norton Rose Fulbright
Simmons & Simmons
Webber Wentzel
Winner: Webber Wentzel
Highly Commended: Simmons & Simmons
Webber Wentzel collected the award for Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year for its work championing the rights of vulnerable members of society, thanks to its successful legal challenge against a controversial debt collecting instrument.
The firm represented the University of Stellenbosch Legal Aid Clinic and others in a case brought against the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and others challenging a widely used debt-collecting instrument which attaches a portion of the debtor's salary to the debt until it has been paid off. Used as a fast-track system, Webber argued that the process denied debtors access to justice.
The team, managed by Odette Geldenhuys, a public interest law specialist, worked on this matter for about 14 months while the application ran for a marathon nine days. The advice was provided on a pro bono basis.
One judge commented the ruling "resulted in a victory for millions of low-income debtors, which would not have been possible without the dedication of the Webber Wentzel team".
Pictured from left to right: Kathy Shepherd, partner, Webber Wentzel, Alison Lee, chief executive, CLASA
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