The Free Legal Advice Day forms part of the Law Society’s objectives to make legal services more accessible to those members of the public who cannot afford legal services. The Office of the Ombudsman has been instrumental in the success of the FLAD since the project was launched in August 2014 by supporting this project and assisting the LSN with the venues and advertising in the region.
In 2014, two Free Legal Advice Days took place in Oshakati / Ongwediva and Keetmanshoop.
In 2015, four Free Legal Advice Days took place in Tsumeb, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Gobabis.
In 2016, only one Free Legal Advice Day took place in Windhoek, due to the LSN Directorate being short staffed.
In 2017, five Free Legal Advice Days took place in Mariental, Ongwediva, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Gobabis.
2018
The Law Society of Namibia, in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman, hosted its 1st Free Legal Advice Days for 2018 at the Swanevelder Community Hall, Otjiwarongo. 63 Persons received free legal advice on this occasion.
The 2nd FLAD for 2018 was held at the Hermanus van Wyk Memorial Hall in Rehoboth. 121 Persons received free legal advice on this occasion.
The 3rd Free Legal Advice day took place in the Far North at the Office of the Ombudsman in Ongwediva on 15 June 2018.
Topics such as Labour, Domestic Violence, Wills & Estates and Divorce and Maintenance were addressed.
Free Legal Advice Days are also planned as follows:
- 13 July 2018 – East Circle – Gobabis.
- 3 August 2018 – Windhoek.
- 28 September 2018 – West Circle – Walvis Bay.
The Chairperson, Council and Directorate of the Law Society of Namibia sincerely thank all involved for their participation and support in making the Free Legal Advice Day project a success.
Opening Ceremony
FLTR:
Gilroy Kasper (LSN Councillor), Saima Nambinga (LSN Vice Chairperson), Olivia Mutjavikua (Office of the Master of the High Court), Phillip Mwandingi (Deputy Director of the Ministry of Labour), Andreas Uutoni (Councillor: Ongwediva Constituency).
BLTR:
Wilhelm Hipuhamba (Office of the Master of the High Court), Etegameno Indongo, Emma Shikonda (Office of the Master of the High Court), Saara Shipoh (Office of the Master of the High Court), Petrine Hango, Veronika Hanongo-Haikali, Jan Greyling (Jnr), Charmaine Tjihero, Utjitiraije Mberirua (Office of the Ombudsman), Ileni Indongo (Office of the Ombudsman).
The Far North circle meeting with members of the LSN took place on Thursday, 14 June 2018 at Oshakati Guest House.
Meetings with members, practising in the regions, take place once a year, when possible.
The benefit of the circle meetings is, inter alia, that members share information with Council and colleagues in the region about what they do and challenges they face. Solutions are discussed and, in the process, colleagues learn from the experiences of others. In certain circumstances matters are referred to Council for discussion with the relevant authorities on behalf of the members.
It also gives the LSN Council the opportunity to share information with the members relating to the profession and the work of the LSN.
Another benefit of these meetings is that members also connect on an informal basis with the Council of the LSN.
Almost all of the members who attended the Circle Meeting assisted with the FLAD.
Far North Circle Meeting Group
