Irish training programme for South African attorneys draws to a close

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI), which provides the Commercial Law Training Programme in partnership with the Law Society of South Africa, said it hoped that it could continue in the future.

The programme first began in 2002 and aims to build the capacity of targeted attorneys and enable them to undertake commercial work.

IRLI has thanked Irish firms A&L Goodbody, Philip Lee and Hayes Solicitors for supporting the programme in 2015/16.

Attorneys Loyiso Phantshwa, Vusi Tembe and Naeema Gabru - all sole practitioners - each spent two months working with these firms and gaining a deeper understanding about the practicalities of working in the commercial sector.

Upon completion of her placement, Ms Gabru said: “In addition to the knowledge and skills that I gained from the Programme, I found that the internship and placement in Ireland has afforded me the opportunity to experience working in a team environment. It has taught me how to network and be self-confident.”

The programme has been funded by Irish Aid and the Irish Embassy in South Africa, but also supported by firms who offered placement opportunities as part of the practical element of the programme.

Focusing specifically on the previous four-year cycle, the programme benefited over 80 South Africa attorneys, twelve of whom undertook placements in Ireland.

IRLI said the achievement would not have been possible without the involvement of the Irish firms and also the Irish solicitors and barristers who travelled each year to provide pro-bono training as part of the overall Commercial Law Training Programme.

It also said there was scope for replicating the programme’s model in neighbouring African countries where there is also a need to strengthen the legal structures and practices of the commercial sector.