The LRC's Vision

Inspired by our history, the Constitution and international human rights standards, the LRC is committed to a fully democratic society based on the principle of substantive equality and to ensure that the principles, rights, and responsibilities enshrined in our national Constitution are respected, promoted, protected and fulfilled.

The LRC's Mission

To strive, both for itself and in its work, for a fully democratic society based on the principle of substantive equality and to ensure that the principles, rights, and responsibilities enshrined in our national Constitution are respected, promoted, protected and fulfilled.

To function as an independent, client-based, non-profit public interest law clinic which uses law as an instrument of justice and provide legal services for the vulnerable and marginalised, including the poor, homeless, and landless people and communities of South Africa who suffer discrimination by reason of race, class, gender, disability or by reason of social, economic, and historical circumstances.

To work for a fully democratic society and to build respect for the rule of law and constitutional democracy; enable the vulnerable and marginalised to assert and develop their rights; promote gender and racial equality and oppose all forms of unfair discrimination; and contribute to the development of a human rights jurisprudence and to the social and economic transformation of society.

The LRC seeks creative and effective solutions by using a range of strategies, including impact litigation, law reform, participation in partnerships and development processes, education and networking within South Africa, the African continent and at the international level.

New Book Notification Land, Power & Custom, edited by Aninka Claassens and Ben Cousins, a joint project with the Legal Resources Centre, was launched in Johannesburg on 21st August 2008 and in Cape Town on the 25th August 2008. The controversies generated by the Act include the reform of communal land tenure and its impacts on power and gender relations, especially for people in the rural communities of South Africa. ../more Speeches given at the Cape Town book launch of Land, Power & Custom Custom and Democracy in Post-Apartheid South Africa (Women and "Living" Customary Law) Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town Custom and Democracy, The case of Hosi Phillia Shilubana Lydia Ngwenya, MP Foreword to Land, Power & Custom by Janet Love, Director of the Legal Resources Centre.

Intern Programme

What are you doing this summer? Ever thought of interning at the LRC. more

Newsroom

LRC in the media

• 2008 10 24: Families of Cradock Four Argue for a Trial - Business Day
• 2008 10 18: A Water Project in Mpumalanga is Unlikely to Please All Users - Weekender
• 2008 10 17: New land Act Like Apartheid - Mail and Guardian

LRC Press Statements

• 2008 11 19: The difficulties faced by economic migrants in South Africa
• 2008 10 09: Traditional Communities Challenge the Communal Land Rights Act
  • 1st respondent's head of argument
  • 2nd and 14th respondents' heads of argument
  • 12th and 13th respondent's heads of argument
  • Applicant's head of argument
• 2008 09 19: Press Statement on Xolobeni Mining – update issued by the LRC

Others News

• 2008 11 10: How to transform the judiciary - Mail & Guardian Online
• 2008 10 14: Shelter for the poor in landmark eviction ruling - Business Day
• 2008 10 13: Constitutional Court hopefuls face JSC grilling - Business Day

Strategy document of the LRC: "Advancing Human Rights in South Africa & Africa, Strategic Direction for 2008 - 2012"