PAC2602
Assignment 1 Semester 1
Unique No: 285356
Due 31 March 2026
, QUESTION 1
1.1 What test does Legal Aid South Africa apply to assess whether a person
qualifies for legal assistance, and what criteria are evaluated in this test?
Legal Aid South Africa applies a means test to determine whether a person qualifies for
legal assistance. The aim of the test is to establish whether the applicant has the
financial ability to afford private legal representation.
The means test evaluates two key criteria.
Income assessment This includes all sources of income such as salaries, wages,
business earnings, social grants, pensions, and financial support from others. If the
applicant’s income falls below the threshold set by Legal Aid South Africa, they may
qualify. For example, an unemployed person relying only on a disability grant would
likely meet the income requirement.
Asset assessment This considers property ownership, vehicles, savings, investments,
and other valuable assets. A person may earn little but still be disqualified if they own
significant assets. For example, someone with low monthly income but multiple rental
properties may not qualify because they have access to resources.
Legal Aid South Africa also considers the merits of the case. The matter must fall
within their mandate and have reasonable prospects of success. This ensures public
resources are used for cases where legal assistance is justified (Legal Aid South Africa
Act 39 of 2014; Legal Aid South Africa, 2023).
1.2 Given the digital divide between rural households and urban areas, how can
paralegals promote digital inclusion within the communities they serve?
Paralegals play an important role in bridging the digital divide by helping communities
access and use digital tools that improve access to justice and services.
Providing digital literacy training Paralegals can run simple workshops showing
community members how to use smartphones, email, and online platforms. For
Assignment 1 Semester 1
Unique No: 285356
Due 31 March 2026
, QUESTION 1
1.1 What test does Legal Aid South Africa apply to assess whether a person
qualifies for legal assistance, and what criteria are evaluated in this test?
Legal Aid South Africa applies a means test to determine whether a person qualifies for
legal assistance. The aim of the test is to establish whether the applicant has the
financial ability to afford private legal representation.
The means test evaluates two key criteria.
Income assessment This includes all sources of income such as salaries, wages,
business earnings, social grants, pensions, and financial support from others. If the
applicant’s income falls below the threshold set by Legal Aid South Africa, they may
qualify. For example, an unemployed person relying only on a disability grant would
likely meet the income requirement.
Asset assessment This considers property ownership, vehicles, savings, investments,
and other valuable assets. A person may earn little but still be disqualified if they own
significant assets. For example, someone with low monthly income but multiple rental
properties may not qualify because they have access to resources.
Legal Aid South Africa also considers the merits of the case. The matter must fall
within their mandate and have reasonable prospects of success. This ensures public
resources are used for cases where legal assistance is justified (Legal Aid South Africa
Act 39 of 2014; Legal Aid South Africa, 2023).
1.2 Given the digital divide between rural households and urban areas, how can
paralegals promote digital inclusion within the communities they serve?
Paralegals play an important role in bridging the digital divide by helping communities
access and use digital tools that improve access to justice and services.
Providing digital literacy training Paralegals can run simple workshops showing
community members how to use smartphones, email, and online platforms. For
