Legal guidance,
built for survivors.
Hosted by Rise Against Domestic Violence SA and Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ). Free. Online. Confidential. For survivors based in South Africa.
If you are based in South Africa and need legal guidance but do not know where to start, this is for you.
Our Law Clinic is free, online, confidential, and designed for survivors. Whether you are dealing with abuse, harassment, separation, or parenting concerns, we are here to help you take the next step safely.
Please note that this clinic is not a training space for professionals or advocates. It is specifically intended to support survivors of domestic violence and gender based violence who are seeking guidance and assistance.
Areas of legal guidance.
Our legal team provides guidance across the matters survivors most often face when navigating abuse, separation, and parenting decisions.
Semester One sessions.
Each clinic runs from 09:00 to 12:00 and is hosted online via scheduled video appointments.
If your matter meets clinic criteria.
Bookings are not guaranteed. Spaces are limited and reviewed against criteria.
Email us.
Send a brief description of your matter to the Rise Law Clinic. We review whether it falls within our clinic criteria.
Intake and documents.
If your matter meets criteria, we send the intake form. Complete the form and email any supporting documents related to your matter.
Review and outcome.
Your intake and documents are reviewed against clinic criteria. If your matter qualifies, we send the date, time, and Zoom link. Spaces are limited. Bookings are not guaranteed.
Email the Rise Law Clinic.
Email us with a brief description of your matter. If it falls within our clinic criteria, we send the intake form. Completing the intake does not confirm a spot. Spots are limited and reviewed against criteria.
lawclinic@riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.zaRead this before you book.
- This clinic is open to anyone in South Africa.
- It is fully online and run via scheduled video appointments.
- You cannot already have legal representation to qualify.
- Spaces are limited and strictly by booking only.
- Terms and conditions apply.
The Rise Legal Team.
Volunteer attorneys, advocates, and candidate attorneys giving their time to support survivors who do not have legal representation.
Jay Govender
Advocate, Head Legal Volunteer
Whitney Premchand
Attorney, Legal Volunteer
Mohammed Beni
Attorney, Legal Volunteer
Catelyn Albertus
Candidate Attorney, Legal Volunteer
Jason Clark
Jason Clark Associates, Legal Volunteer
Eugene Opperman
Oppermans Inc, Legal Volunteer
This is a real opportunity to receive legal support in a safe and respectful space, without fear or judgement. Rise is here for survivors. Always.
Partnership update.
The online Domestic Violence Law Clinic partnership between Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) and Rise Against Domestic Violence SA has been a meaningful success throughout the first and second semesters of 2025.
Through this collaboration, survivors were able to access guidance, support, and information in a safe and compassionate environment.
As we move forward, we are proud to begin the second year of the online law clinic for Semester One, continuing our shared commitment to making legal knowledge and support more accessible to survivors of domestic violence and gender based violence.
Rise Online Law Clinic.
By booking a consultation through the Rise Online Law Clinic, you agree to the following terms.
1. Free and Voluntary Participation
The Rise Law Clinic is offered free of charge and participation is entirely voluntary. Services are provided as part of a collaborative effort between Rise Against Domestic Violence SA and Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ).
2. Eligibility Criteria
You must currently reside in South Africa.
You must not be represented by a private attorney or law firm in relation to the legal issue for which you are seeking help.
Rise reserves the right to decline participation where a conflict of interest exists or if the matter falls outside the scope of the clinic.
3. Intake Requirement
A mandatory intake form must be completed for any matter to be considered. Completing the intake does not confirm a booking. Spaces are limited and reviewed against clinic criteria. The intake ensures our legal team is adequately informed to offer appropriate support should your matter qualify.
4. Scope of Services
The clinic provides legal information, guidance, and support focused on the following matters: parenting plans, divorce matters, child and spousal maintenance, harassment, protection orders, domestic violence, stalking, digital abuse, and cybercrime. Services do not constitute formal legal representation or the establishment of an attorney client relationship.
5. Confidentiality
All sessions are conducted with respect for your privacy. Information shared will remain confidential within the clinic team, except where disclosure is required by law or where your safety is at risk.
6. Use of Online Platforms
All consultations are conducted online via scheduled video sessions. You are responsible for ensuring you have access to a secure internet connection and private space during your session.
7. No Emergency Services
This clinic is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, please contact SAPS or relevant emergency helplines.
8. Disclaimer
The Rise Online Law Clinic provides general legal information and guidance only. This does not constitute formal legal representation, nor does it establish an attorney client relationship between you and any volunteer, law student, Rise Against Domestic Violence SA (NPC), or Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ).
All advice offered is based solely on the information you provide during your session. You are responsible for verifying any information, seeking independent legal advice where necessary, and making your own informed decisions regarding your legal matters.
Rise Against Domestic Violence SA, SLSJ, all participating legal volunteers, attorneys, advocates, and law students accept no liability whatsoever for any actions taken, decisions made, or outcomes arising from the guidance provided during clinic sessions.
By booking and attending a consultation, you acknowledge that you understand and accept full responsibility for any decisions you make based on the information provided.