Jacquie Cassette
Jacquie Cassette is a Director and Head of our Pro Bono & Human Rights practice. Jacquie is responsible for the management of the firm's pro bono and human rights practice, both with regard to its existing projects and individual matters, as well as the identification of future projects. She practiced as an advocate at the Johannesburg Bar for a number of years before she joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. At the bar she practiced mostly in the fields of constitutional and administrative law (public law), pension fund law as well as general commercial law. She also has experience in the advertising industry, having acted as the Chair of the Advertising Industry Tribunal for a few years.
About Jacquie
About Jacquie
Jacquie previously taught at the Wits Law School for a few years before obtaining an LLM in International Human Rights Law at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana USA. After her year at Notre Dame she spent a year as an intern in the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICTY and ICTR in The Hague. Jacquie subsequently returned to South Africa to serve as a research assistant to Justice Goldstone at the Constitutional Court. From there she was employed as a senior investigator at the Office of the Public Protector for two years, before joining the Johannesburg Bar where she practiced from 2001 to 2013. She joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Director in 2014.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- BA LLB, University of the Witwatersrand
- LLM (International Human Rights Law), University of Notre Dame (USA)
- Year of admission as an advocate: 2000
- Year of admission as a member of the Johannesburg Bar: 2001
Languages
Languages
- English
About Jacquie
Jacquie previously taught at the Wits Law School for a few years before obtaining an LLM in International Human Rights Law at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana USA. After her year at Notre Dame she spent a year as an intern in the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICTY and ICTR in The Hague. Jacquie subsequently returned to South Africa to serve as a research assistant to Justice Goldstone at the Constitutional Court. From there she was employed as a senior investigator at the Office of the Public Protector for two years, before joining the Johannesburg Bar where she practiced from 2001 to 2013. She joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Director in 2014.
Credentials
Education
- BA LLB, University of the Witwatersrand
- LLM (International Human Rights Law), University of Notre Dame (USA)
- Year of admission as an advocate: 2000
- Year of admission as a member of the Johannesburg Bar: 2001
Languages
- English
Experience
In 2011 while still at the Bar and in her capacity as a member of the CCCAA (the Constitutional Court Clerks Alumni Association) Jacquie was instrumental in establishing a training project which offers training on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to members of the Alexandra community in Gauteng and the Mitchells Plain community in the Western Cape. The project, which is conducted on a pro bono basis, is a collaborative one between members of the CCCAA and Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs. The training programme comprised of full day seminars developed and facilitated by members of the CCCAA on various aspects of the Constitution and human rights. From 2011-2013 Jacquie assisted with the development and implementation of the programme which was initially piloted in Alexandra and then also rolled out in Mitchell's Plein.
While at the Bar Jacquie was a member of her Group's pro bono Sub-Committee and was involved in various public interest law matters.
News
A municipality found in contempt of court opens the door for a possible award of constitutional damages for ongoing violation of socio-economic rights
” The commitment to transform our society into one which respects and observes the values of human dignity, freedom and equality lies at the heart of our constitutional order .” –...
Traditional Khoi-San Leadership Act: The importance of meaningful public participation during the law-making process
“This case is about the significance of participatory democracy for millions of South Africans who for the most part live away from the centres of power, in rural areas and some of...
Court confirms the rights of pregnant and lactating women and children under six to free healthcare
On Friday, 14 April CDH’s Pro Bono & Human Rights practice celebrated victory in one of its long-standing matters concerning the enforcement of the rights of pregnant and lactating...
Automatic abandonment of asylum application: An analysis of the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town v Minister of Home Affairs judgment
The process of applying for asylum in South Africa is governed by the Refugees Act 130 of 1998 (Refugees Act). Sections 22(12) and 22(13) were introduced into the Refugees Act by the...
In loco parentis: Schools’ liability and duty to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to learners under their care
“ After the event, even a fool is wise. But it is not the hindsight of a fool; it is the foresight of a reasonable man which can determine responsibility ” – Viscount Simonds
Video | The significant impact of our Pro Bono & Human Rights practice
As we commemorate Human Rights Day on Thursday, 21 March, one of the ways CDH demonstrates our commitment to the transformation of our society is through our dedicated Pro Bono & Human...
The challenges posed to asylum seekers during the COVID-19 lockdown
Pro Bono and Human Rights Director Jacquie Cassette recently joined Newzroom Afrika to unpack the challenges posed to asylum seekers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The landscape for women in law
National Practice Head and Director in the Pro Bono & Human Rights practice, Jacquie Cassette, recently joined SABC's Morning Live to discuss the landscape for women in law.
Nationals Schools Moot Competition Seminar hosted by the Pro Bono and Human Rights Practice
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr continues to support the Come Together Home
Come Together is a key project in Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio. We have seen the Come Together project flourish over the years. We are proud to...
Justice and Public Interest on the Mic – Episode 1
Since 2013, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's (CDH) Pro Bono & Human Rights Practice (Pro Bono Practice) has been at the heart of our firm's commitment to making a real difference.
Hijab-wearing policy at top Jo'burg girls' school in the spotlight
Director and Head of Pro Bono and Human Rights, Jacquie Cassette, joined Radio 702's Joanne Joseph to discuss a complaint by hijab-wearing pupils at Jeppe Girls' High who were disciplined...
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2021 - 2024 ranked Jacquie in Band 3 for Administrative & Public Law.
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2021 - 2024 ranked Jacquie in Band 3 for Administrative & Public Law.