TWO of South Africa’s prominent human rights lawyers, Constitutional Court President Judge Arthur Chaskalson and Advocate George Bizos were at the weekend presented with lifetime commitment awards for many years of free legal service to poor communities.
The two law veterans received the awards at a Friday night gala dinner held in Johannesburg as part of a two-day gathering of human rights lawyers’ conference in which Justice Minister Penuell Maduna and Constitutional Court Judge Pius Langa were speakers.
The importance of free legal service was the theme of the conference attended by about 200 human rights lawyers from around the country as they discussed the professional and ethical responsibility of lawyers in serving the poor, marginalised and vulnerable individuals or communities without compensation so as to enhance access to justice for those who cannot afford to pay.
Accepting the award, Bizos noted that free legal service was ”personally and spiritually enriching” and was encouraging the legal profession to recognise the invaluable contribution it can make to its communities.
Delegates unanimously agreed South Africa needed a new system to provide free legal services to the poor. – Sapa