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Jacquie Cassette

Practice Head, Director

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.

+27 (0)11 562 1036
jacquie.cassette@cdhlegal.comJohannesburg
Jacquie Cassette

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

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

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

Court confirms the rights of pregnant and lactating women and children under six to free healthcare
Pro Bono & Human Rights

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
Pro Bono & Human Rights

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
Pro Bono & Human Rights

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
Pro Bono & Human Rights Annual Newsletter
Pro Bono & Human Rights

Pro Bono & Human Rights Annual Newsletter

In 2011, as part of its commitment to being a good corporate citizen and to further its strong commitment to promoting access to justice and the rights and values in our Constitution,...
CDH Pro Bono & Human Rights Practice successful in holding the Department of Education accountable
Pro Bono & Human Rights

CDH Pro Bono & Human Rights Practice successful in holding the Department of Education accountable

One of the growing areas of focus of our Pro Bono & Human Rights Practice (Practice) is promoting access to education and the accountability of public officials in the basiceducationsystem. 

The challenges posed to asylum seekers during the COVID-19 lockdown
Pro Bono & Human Rights

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

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

Nationals Schools Moot Competition Seminar hosted by the Pro Bono and Human Rights Practice
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr continues to support the Come Together Home

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...

Hijab-wearing policy at top Jo'burg girls' school in the spotlight
Pro Bono & Human Rights

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...

Recognition

2021-2023

Chambers Global

Chambers Global 2021 - 2023 ranked Jacquie in Band 3 for Administrative & Public Law.

Chambers Global

Chambers Global 2021 - 2023 ranked Jacquie in Band 3 for Administrative & Public Law.

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