15 Apr 2018

The University of Botswana (UB) has launched the Disability Rights Clinic which aims at assisting People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) with free legal representation especially those who cannot afford attorney’s costs.

Speaking at the launch of the results of the study on PLWDs in Botswana and the Disability Rights Clinic recently, head of Law Department at UB, Dr Bonolo Dinokopila said the clinic would be operated by UB students and staff in the Department of Law.

Dr Dinokopila pointed out that advisers who are law students were supervised by law lecturers and would be on duty to help the public with legal problems.

He said a means test was used on deciding whether a person qualified for assistance noting that details of the means test was explained to clients at the clinic.

Divorce, maintenance and other family problems, employment including workmen compensation, MVA claims, contract problems, dispute with shops and legal issues affecting PLWDs, Dr Donkopila identified them as some of the cases the clinic  would attend to.

However, Dr Dinokopila pointed out that the clinic would not offer advice to defense in criminal cases or provide any assistance in the mounting of private prosecutions.

He emphasised that students advisers assisted people in achieving the possible legal solution to problems from first interview to conclusion.

He said since students were not qualified lawyers, they could not appear in court on behalf of clients or carry out work restricted to qualified lawyers.

Dr Dinokopila said even though the services were free, filing of court papers, service of process and some activities involved with the case that required money would be incurred by the client but the PLWDs would be assisted to meet some costs from a special donor fund. ENDS