Joy Van Der Heyde
LLB
Senior Associate
Joy was admitted as an attorney to the High Court of South Africa (Cape Law Society) in 2003, where after she left practice and gained valuable experience in applying her legal qualifications as a Professional Assistant with the Disciplinary Department of the Cape Law Society, a Project Manager, and as a Deputy Director within the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development. During her 10 year tenure with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, she managed approximately 23 projects relating to the implementation of various pieces of legislation in the Courts, such as the Domestic Violence Act, Maintenance Act, Children’s Act, Child Justice Act, etc. As part of managing the various pieces of legislation for which the Department was responsible for, she had to make inputs into the recent amendments to and drafting of the various pieces of legislation. She was also responsible for ensuring that the community at large was informed of their constitutional rights and on how to enforce their rights at the courts. Her experience with the Department has made her a valuable member of the firm as not only does she have extensive knowledge of Child Law, but also intimate knowledge of the court’s processes. Since her return to private practice, Joy became a litigator to be reconned with. She has successfully defended various children in need of care and protection. Besides the everyday and very complicated divores she handled, she has also been highly successful in applying for and defending parents that wanted to relocate with the children overseas. The latest relocation matter she handled is the first judgement where a non custodian parent is allowed to relocate with the children overseas. Joy is an excellent drafter of court documents which saves the clients enormous amounts of legal cost. From her interactions with the community members during the public outreach sessions, Joy has gained first-hand knowledge on the pressures that family life is subjected to by the difficulties of modern society. Her focus is therefore on helping to protect the integrity of the family and ensuring that the best interests of the children are upheld.
Afrikaans, English
845658692
