Staff and location

Services

Services provided by the Legal Services Unit include:

• Management of litigation and disputes (other than employment-related disputes) involving the University 
• Provision of legal assistance and advice to University management in relation to University matters
• drafting contracts and advising on contracts involving the University (except those relating to human resources and research matters which are dealt with by HR and the Research Contracts & Innovation Department respectively) 
• circulating information on legislative changes
• management, administration and prosecution of student disciplinary matters in the University Student Discipline Tribunal (USDT) and the University Tribunal of Appeal
• appointment of University Commissioners of Oaths.

Legal and contractual matters

All requests for advice regarding legal matters (other than in relation the USDT) must be emailed to the Director of Legal Services, A/Prof Kathy Idensohn. Requests for contract reviews must be sent to Claude Bassuday.

Disciplinary complaints against students in terms of the University's General Rules and Policies

The complaints portal can be accessed online at UCT Legal Office Complaints Portal.

Process guidelines for the submission and review of a complaint:

• Please ensure that all necessary information is provided and all evidence is attached to support the submission (eg, all documents, photos, videos, and any other documentary material that indicates that an offence has been committed).
• If the complaint relates to academic misconduct, a separate complaint about each individual must be submitted unless the complaint involves collusion between the students, in which case only one complaint should be submitted. 
• The Faculty-based processes provided for in the Policy for the Prevention and Management of Academic Misconduct by Students must have been completed before the matter is referred to Legal Services and the USDT.
• Once the complaint is lodged, a legal counsellor from the Legal Services Unit will review the complaint submission and determine whether the alleged conduct constitutes a disciplinary offence and whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute.
• Once the legal counsellor has determined that the reported conduct constitutes a disciplinary offence and that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, disciplinary action will commence in terms of the process set out in the University Student Discipline Procedures and Guidelines.
• During the process of review of the complaint, you may be called upon to provide further or substantive evidence to support the complaint and if the matter leads to a hearing, you may be required to provide testimony before the Tribunal.