As we all know, in order to ensure legal representation for a child, in the past we mainly used the application procedure for the appointment of curators – either ad litem, and/or ad persona and/or ad bonis, depending on the type of case at hand. We used Uniform Court Rule 57 in the High Court, and section 33 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act in the lower courts.

Since the commencement of the Constitution in 1996 and the Children’s Act in 2010, apart from s6(4) of the Divorce Act, more and more cost-effective options have become available.

The Bill of Rights also recognises children’s rights to legal representation in that section 28(1)(h) states that “every child has the right to have a legal practitioner assigned to the child by the state and at state expense, in civil proceedings affecting the child, if substantial injustice would otherwise result”. The first definitive judgment on the issue of separate legal representation for a child in a civil matter and the application of s 28(1)

  1. of the Constitution was SollervG2003(5)SA430(W). The court distinguished between the role of the Family Advocate and a separate LP for a child, but it did not deal specifically with the practicalities of how a child would obtain separate legal representation.

The court in LegalAidBoardvR2009(2)SA262(D)dealt for the first time with the authority of the Legal Aid Board (LAB) to appoint an LP for a child. The court rejected for various reasons three approaches as not being in the best interest of children:

  1. Only a presiding judge can order the appointment of the LAB to represent a child;
  2. The LAB should obtain permission from a parent or guardian for its appointment;
  3. Only a parent or guardian can appoint an LP for the child.

The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 contains several sections supporting the view that anyone can approach an LP to decide if it would be in the best interest of the child to represent such a child. See s10 (child participation); s14 (the child’s right to bring a matter to court and be assisted to do so); s15 (enforcement of rights); s29(6) (court proceedings; court may appoint an LP); s53 (who may approach the court); s55 (duty of LAB); s61 (participation of children; child expresses view and preference; child as witness); s233 (consent of child for adoption); s279 (LP to represent child in Hague Convention Abduction cases).

Our view at ProBono.Org is that as section 10 creates a valuable general principle that entrenches children’s rights to participate in proceedings that will affect them, ProBono.Org, being an independent and non- governmental organisation, tasked to act as a clearing house for the legal profession, may appoint an LP for a child. It is in line with the child’s right to participation as set out in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Trynie Boezaart points out why in Hague abduction applications it is said that in cases where very young children are involved, the role of the legal representative would be more akin to that of a curator ad litem, while with older children, the legal representative would take instructions from the child, act in accordance with those instructions and represent the views of the child. Boezaart further discusses the international law by referring to the Convention on the Right of the Child and the African Charter that provides for children’s participation in legal proceedings on the basis of their best interests. (DeJureOnlineversionISSN2225-7160PrintversionISSN1466-3597DeJure(Pretoria)vol.46 n.3 Pretoria Mar. 2013)

The Centre for Child Law at the University of Pretoria supports two models of representation – the client- directed and the best interest models. Each model has to be selected based on the capacity of the child to give instructions and not the type of case. It may even occur that one has to apply both models in the same case because a child may be able to give instructions on some points (use the client directed model) but not on others, either because the child is unable or unwilling (follow the best interest model on those points).

Apart from explaining the difference between the models, the Centre also lists the general obligations of an LP in each instance. (Contact the Centre for a copy).

COMPARISON OF TWO MODELS

Client directed LPBest interests LP
1. Child directs litigation1. Child does not give instructions – child’s interests are paramount
2. Suitable for children who are of sufficient age and maturity to express a view and give instructions2. Child either too young or immature or unable due to an ongoing health (mental or physical or both) condition to give instructions, although may be able to express a view/wish. LP must elicit and take it into account
3. The child may participate directly in the3. LP stays independent and does not align to
proceedings if child wants to and is able toanother party’s position or does not appear to advance another party’s position
4. Standard LP-client relationship exists as discussion and negotiation between client and LP take place4. LP has more contact with parents and other role players
5. Parent’s involvement to be limited as early as possible. The reason is that the LP is that of the child and not of the parent5. Recommendations are based on legal considerations and examination of factual and expert evidence. NOT to make intuitive assumptions and decisions
6. Best interests determination is left for the court to make6. Best interests determination is left for the court to make

In conclusion, consider following these next steps in dealing with a referral from ProBono.Org to represent a child by asking yourself:

  1. What model should I follow? (Either of the two, depending on the child’s capacity to give instructions, and sometimes both models as explained above).
  2. When would it be a hybrid approach? (Determine if the child is able to give instructions on some points (use the client directed model) but not on others, either because child is unable or unwilling (follow the best interest model on those points).
  3. Is my role to determine the capacity of the child? (No, but to consider if a child is willing and developmentally able to express a view as to the direction of the litigation.)
  4. If it is a matter of “care and contact”, which court should I approach? (Generally, you have a choice – either the High Court or the Children’s Court. If the Children’s Act makes provision for a certain class of people, like the unmarried fathers or grandparents, the most appropriate court is the Children’s Court).

5. If it is a matter of “care and protection”, which court should I then approach? (Only the Children’s Court).

For more information on COVID-19 and government regulation: Click here