Mrs Zaida Essop

Mrs. Zadia Essop was appointed as the Director of the UCT Law Clinic in September 2024. With a strong academic and practical foundation in law, she brings a wealth of experience in both legal practice and legal education.

Zaida holds an LLB and an LLM in International Child Law, both of which were obtained from North West University, Potchefstroom Campus. Her academic journey laid the groundwork for her diverse career in the legal field, focusing on family law, civil litigation, and child law.

Before her appointment as Director of the UCT Law Clinic, Zaida served as a Lecturer at North West University, where she taught courses in Civil Procedure and Legal Practice. In this role, she was responsible for imparting critical legal skills to students, preparing them for practical legal careers.

Prior to her lecturing role, Zaida worked as a Clinician at the North West University Law Clinic, where she provided free legal services to marginalized communities in the North West Province. She was actively involved in access to justice initiatives, advocating for vulnerable individuals and families, particularly in family disputes and children’s court matters.

As a Clinician, Zaida’s responsibilities included supervising and mentoring final-year LLB students in practical legal training, particularly in Legal Practice and Law Clinic settings. She also served as Principal Attorney and Supervising Attorney for several Candidate Legal Practitioners, providing guidance and professional development for those entering the legal profession.

Zaida's extensive experience in the field of family law and child protection is particularly notable. She represented clients in a variety of family-related legal disputes, including matters concerning child custody, guardianship, and children’s rights. She was appointed to represent children in Children’s Court proceedings across the North West Province, gaining invaluable experience and a deep understanding of South Africa’s child care and protection systems.

In addition to her practical legal expertise, Zaida is a qualified mediator in family law matters, further reinforcing her commitment to resolving family disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Her research interests lie in several key areas, including Family Law, Child Law, Education Rights of Children, Civil Procedure, Access to Justice, and Clinical Legal Education. Zaida is passionate about advancing legal education, particularly through the use of clinical legal education programs that empower students and provide essential services to communities in need.

Zaida’s diverse experience, commitment to access to justice, and dedication to teaching make her a valuable leader at the Law Clinic, where she continues to make a significant impact on both the academic and practical aspects of legal education and practice.