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.
During 2014, two Free Legal Advice Days took place in Oshakati/Ongwediva and Keetmanshoop.
During 2015, four Free Legal Advice Days took place in Tsumeb, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Gobabis.
During 2016, only one Free Legal Advice Day took place in Windhoek, due to the LSN Directorate being short staffed.
The Law Society of Namibia, in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman, is hosting various Free Legal Advice Days during 2017:
- The 1st Free Legal Advice Day was held at the Persianer Hall in Mariental on Friday, 9 June 2017. 41 Members of the community received free legal advice.
- The 2nd Free Legal Advice Day was held at the Office of the Ombudsman in Ongwediva on Friday, 7 July 2017. 165 Members of the community received free legal advice.
- The 3rd Free Legal Advice Day took place at the UN Plaza in Katutura on Friday, 4 August 2017. 107 Members of the community received free legal advice on topics such as:
- Labour
- Domestic Violence
- Wills & Estates
- Divorce and Maintenance.
The Office of the Master of the High Court also participated in the Free Legal Advice Day held on 4 August 2017.
At the opening ceremony of the Free Legal Advice Day remarks were made by Ms. Anne-Doris Hans-Kaumbi (Councillor: Law Society of Namibia), Mr. John Walters (Ombudsman), Mr. Ananias Niizimba (Councillor on behalf of his worship the Mayor of the City of Windhoek, Mr. Muesee Kazupua), Ms. Elsie Beukes, (Master of the High Court) and Ms. Rachel Jacob (Chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council Management Committee and John Pandeni Constituency).
Front: Rachel Jacob (Chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council Management Committee and John Pandeni Constituency), Anne-Doris Hans-Kaumbi (Councillor: Law Society of Namibia), Elsie Beukes (Master of the High Court).
Back: John Walters (Ombudsman), Ananias Niizimba (Councillor – City of Windhoek).
Back: Bertha Simunji (Senior Investigator – Office of the Ombudsman), Erastus Arnold (Investigator – Office of the Ombudsman), Nawala Kamati, Ian Petherbridge, Martha Angula-Ruider (Candidate Legal Practitioners), Uundjii Kaihiva, Cobus Visser, Shaun Ellis, Zureuka Majiedt, Laura-Lee Beets, Hendrik Mauyoma (Legal practitioner and Chief Legal: Office of the Ombudsman), Faustinia Nashama, Rauna Ndilula, Jamie Theron, Timothy Shangadi (Deputy Director Investigations: Office of the Ombudsman).
Front: Sumari Rush, Chastin Bassingthwaighte, Karin Klazen, Retha Steinmann (Director: Law Society of Namibia), Jo-mari Koekemoer (Manager Professional Affairs: Law Society of Namibia), Mignon Klein.
The dates for further Free Legal Advice Days are:
West Circle – Swakopmund – 18 August 2017 (venue to be confirmed)
Mid-North Circle – Tsumeb – 22 September 2017 (venue to be confirmed)
East Circle – Gobabis – 13 October 2017 (venue to be confirmed)
The Council and Directorate of the Law Society of Namibia sincerely thank all involved for their participation and support in making this project a success.
