VUYOLWETHU FUTSHANE

Key Performance Areas

Policy Review and Implementation

• Keep up to date with effective policy and practice execution strategies.

Preparation and Research on Related Litigation Matters

• Conduct research that will provide information in preparation for all matters for trial.
• Consult with client departments/ representatives, and witnesses for instructions and documentation for cases to be presented in Court.
• Draft pleadings to provide clear motivation/justification on a particular position about the case.

Mediation Process

• All required steps regarding the mediation process, as governed by the amendment to the rules of court.
• Upon conclusion of the mediation, parties shall inform Registrar and all other parties by a notice that Mediation is completed.
• Parties & Mediator must within 5 days of completion of mediation issue a joint minute indicating.

Represent the Road Accident Fund on all third party claims related litigation matters

• Attend court appearances in all allocated third-party litigation matters.
• Ensure file administration from opening to the conclusion of a legal case including adherence to trial dates.
• Handle appearances at courts, tribunals, mediation hearings and inquiries.
• Coordinate administrative legal actions to ensure compliance.
• Approve instructions to appoint and instruct expert witnesses.

Settle non-litigious matters before they are set down for trial

• Block consultation, early assessment of files, and early instructions to experts and assessors.
• Approve requests to appoint and instruct assessors and expert witnesses.
• Recommend a settlement.

Provision of legal advice to RAF

• Provide legal advice on arising legal matters and contracts.
• Provide well-researched legal advice on matters impacting the organisation.
• Conduct legal research and prepare legal opinions.

Taxation

• Deliver a full range of tax services in compliance with laws and regulations.
• Build relationships and interact with clients to provide consulting and expertise in tax services.
• Provide innovative tax planning and review complex income tax returns

Reporting

• Prepare and submit regulation reports as and when required to provide progress updates and/or inform management decisions.
• Develop functional reporting systems, for management, projects or performance reporting.
• Prepare reports and provide management information both verbally and in report format.

• Consulting with clients
• Attending to preparation of legal action in, Civil, Labour, MVA, Personal Injury Claims, Divorce, Criminal matters
• Attending to preparation for trial, research and drafting for filing and service of court documents
• Attending court
• Facilitating consultations with medico legal experts, briefing Advocates
• Drafting bills and also attending to taxations
• Conducting of research.
• Streamlined office operations for increased efficiency through effective organization and management of files and documents.

• Managed, administered and resolved PAIA requests, internal appeals within legislated timelines
• Improved the escalation process by following up with Hospitals & clinics and providing feedback on reminders
• Escalated medico legal claims to the office of the State Attorney
• Attended to the writing of internal memorandums
• Assisted with HR and Labour matters
• Assisted with MVA claims
• Prepared instruction letters to pay the taxed bill of costs for Attorneys
• Coordinated case flow management support process to the legal administration officer and State Attorney
• Compiled weekly and monthly reports to indicate performance and trends
• Attended to office management, planning and organisation.

• Registered received cases on the system and allocated cases to Deputy Sheriffs for service
• Ensured that received cases are in line with the Court Rules
• Attended to service of both the Magistrate and High Court processes
• Prepared and captured returns of service once the processes had been served
• Ensured that the fee structure is in line with the Court Rules
• Drafted affidavits where required by Attorneys
• Liaised with clients, Attorneys and all stake holders in the reporting of their processes
• Researched cases to ensure that the office is advised of amendments
• Attended to the preparation of auction files, vendue rolls and registration of sales
• Compiled monthly report on cases received and served by the Office.

• Handled arrear accounts with speed and efficiency in order to normalize accounts at litigation with minimal loss to the company
• Met team and business targets
• Monitored Panel attorneys and ensured that they acted in accordance with service level agreements
• Supervised the Para-legal team and conducted team Quality assurance checks including but not limited to Spot Checks, telephone checks and quality of arrangements submitted for management approval
• Perused Attorney Foreclosure reports, Bills and fees checks, surveys, regular meetings and report back sessions
• Ensured compliance with policy and procedures and the relevant legislation where applicable
• Achieved individual targets as set by management and ensured that all accounts assigned, are timeously dealt with
• Attended to auction of the immovable property and followed up on the registration of transfer
• Kept Regular and efficient contact with client, written and verbal
• Maintained effective negotiation and obtain the best rehabilitation solution within the fastest space of time and with minimal loss to the company.

• Established the validity of sale agreements put through by Estate Agent, Clients and Attorneys
• Conducted searches at deeds offices in order to ascertain other priority creditors and to establish if the property to be sold is not endorsed by third parties
• Prepared loss approval calculations for management's approval
• Followed up on the transfer and bond cancellation process by the external Conveyancers to ensure compliance with notes raised by examiners at the deeds offices in order to have deeds registered timeously
• Ensure compliance with Restitution Act, Commission on Restitution of Land Rights and other relevant policies
• Liaising with various stakeholders including management in other departments, private owners, Estate Agents and Conveyancing Attorneys
• Negotiate settlement agreements with various stakeholders.

• Followed up on the administration of deceased estate by Estate Attorneys/Administrators
• Followed up and monitored progress in the matters until the estate had been wound up
• Furnished settlement figures to clients / executors / attorneys in respect of bond settlement
• Assessed the Liquidation and Distribution accounts
• Advised clients on their responsibility in winding up of a deceased estate and each step of the administration of the estate
• Further advised on the foreclosure proceedings
• Understanding of Wills Act 7 of 1953, Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987, Insolvency Act 24 of 1936.

• Attended to criminal law matters, appeared in court and attended to bail applications, pleas and running of criminal trials
• Attended to drafting of Undefended Divorce summons, issuing at court and consultations with clients
• Attended to research of cases and compiled monthly reports.

• Assessing of essays in preparation for Exams
• Consulted with students who needed extra help.