STATEMENT ON RESTRUCTURING OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

Issued by: Department of Justice

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PERTAINING TO ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Mr Enver Daniels, (advisor to the Minister of Justice) on behalf of the Minister, announced that a further LEGAL FORUM with the view to enhance access to justice will be hosted from 17 to 19 NOVEMBER 1995 IN DURBAN. This forms part of the transformation and restructuring of the justice system.

As access to justice is one of the key issues which need to be addressed during the restructuring process, the upcoming forum will focus on the following important aspects:

• cost of litigation;
• delays in trials;
• the complexity of the legal system and its structural aspects;
• legal aid;
• legal representation;
• the role of the paralegal;
• the role of advice offices;
• alternative dispute resolution;
• community- and family courts;
• victims of crime and vulnerable groups;
• witness protection; and
• public education and information.

The emphasis which have been placed on access to justice by the Judge-President of the Western Cape, Mr Justice Gerald Friedman during his opening address at the Cape Law Society's Annual General Meeting is therefore apt, and the factors which he raised as impeding access to justice will be dealt with in full during this legal forum.

The forthcoming legal forum is a continuation of the process of consultation with the community, NGO's and other role players in the legal system, which the Minister has embarked on since April 1994 with the aid of foreign contributors such as Denmark and USAID.

ISSUED BY THE CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER : DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

PRETORIA 10 October 1995

ENQUIRIES : CHARLES RABE TEL : (012) 3239302 X 2186 FAX : (012) 218291