First queer law clinic recognised by Legal Practice Council

The legal unit of South African LGBTQI+ advocacy group Access Chapter 2 (AC2) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, officially being designated as a Law Clinic by the Legal Practice Council in Gauteng.

This historic recognition establishes the unit as South Africa’s first queer-led Law Clinic, with a primary focus on providing free, comprehensive, and compassionate legal services to those in need.

Commitment to Inclusivity and Justice

The recognition by the Legal Practice Council underscores AC2’s commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to the LGBTQI+ community and women in all their diversity.

Keneilwe Zulu, Head of Legal at AC2, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to accessible and high-quality legal support.

“As an officially recognised law clinic, we look forward to expanding our impact, championing justice, and advancing the rights of the LGBTQI+ community through our legal advocacy,” she said.

Over the past two years, AC2 has handled approximately 300 cases, of which 60% are still pending, often due to outstanding evidence. This underscores the need for AC2’s legal services to bridge the gap for the LGBTQI+ community.

Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, AC2 Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the Legal Practice Council’s recognition.

“We are super excited and feel privileged to receive this distinction from the Legal Practice Council. Access Chapter 2 has always carried the spirit of social justice and public service, and as an organisation, we have strived to provide desperately needed legal services in underserved communities,” said Letsike.

A Disappointing Equality Court Ruling

The AC2 Law Clinic is currently assessing an Equality Court ruling handed down this week. The ruling dismissed a case against the Department of Home Affairs which centred on its discriminatory rejection of a gay Zambian man’s application for asylum.

The court refused to address the ample evidence of homophobic discrimination in the matter, asserting that the asylum seeker needs to first exhaust all of the department’s appeal processes before turning to the courts. AC2 said it is considering taking the ruling on review.

For more information about the AC2 Law Clinic’s services, call +27 10 100 3177, WhatsApp +27 76 457 3256 or email info@ac2.org.za.