Stephanie Naidoo

I am a legal professional with 11 years of legal work experience of which 3 years and 6 months in a supervisory capacity. 

I believe in the rule of law.  I also firmly believe in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom.  It is my view that all perpetrators who commit crime inter alia fraud and corruption should be identified, investigated and prosecuted without fear or favour. 

My experience and knowledge places me in a very good position to be able to execute my tasks and functions effectively and efficiently.  I am competent and proficient in the use of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, LexisNexis, Juta law and Sabinet online products.  This will enable me to perform my tasks without difficulty. 

I am hard working, diligent and can execute instructions and take guidance from my Superiors.  I can work in a team as well as independently and exercise my own initiative.  I have good writing and communication skills in English.  I have an excellent academic record and work experience which will assist me in achieving my goals.  I possess critical and analytical skills, which will enable me to accomplish my tasks effectively and efficiently. 

I am of the view that I am both academically and practically qualified to execute myself well in a wide range of legal capacities.

LegalWise - Pretoria – Legal Adviser-

2008–2011 (Vacation Work)

Legal administration.  Legal advice   Assisting clients with Litigation in civil matters.  Assisting clients with criminal and civil matters.  Conduct legal research in criminal and civil matters.  Drafting legal documents such as letters of demand, agreements, and acknowledgements of debts. 

LegalWise - Pretoria - Legal Advisor

2012–2013 (1 Year contract)

Legal administration.  Legal advice. Assisting clients with Litigation in civil matters. Assisting clients with criminal and civil matters.  Conduct legal research in criminal and civil matters.  Drafting legal documents such as letters of demand, agreements, and acknowledgements of debts. 

Morris Pokroy Attorneys - Candidate Attorney

2013–2014

Court attendance in civil matters.  Drafting of legal documents. Provided legal advice and assistance to clients.  Assisted counsel in preparation of legal matters.  Attend and participate in Pre-Trial conferences.  Conduct legal research.  Analyze and interpret legislation in legal matters. Legal administration.  Serving and filing of legal documents in court processes.  Assisted in re-registration of mineral rights and lodging memorandum of incorporation at the company’s office (CIPC).

Parabis (UK company) - Pre-litigation claims handler

1 June 2014 –6 November 2014 (Contract)

Handling personal injury claims and analyze medical reports. 

Quantifying the value of the client’s claims.  Reviewing UK case laws and legislation in personal injury claims.  Investigation liability and indemnity.  Conduct work on case system program (UK system).  Negotiate settlement offers with third party insurance.  Analyze witness statement.  Provide telephonic advice to clients.  Interrogate diagrams of accident scenes. 

UNISA – Marker and e-tutor

January 2015 – June 2018 (Part-time on contract)

E-tutor for criminal law.  Marking of assignments and examinations in Criminal and Procedural law. 

Durban University of Technology - Lecturer

1st Semester February – March 2016 (Part time contract)

Lecturer in the applied law commercial law.  Researching and preparing course content.  Invigilation of exams.  Assessing assignments and examination. 

Health’s Professions Council - Legal Assessor and Community Representative 

November 2016 – 30 June 2018

Served on the professional conduct disciplinary committee (PCC) in the capacity of Legal Assessor and Community Representative. Advised the committee on legislative and evidentiary aspects of proceedings. 

Pearson’s Institute for Higher Education - Lecturer

January 2017–February 2018 

Module Leader/Coordinator - This position entailed supervision of law lecturers at 11 campuses regarding standardization of course content as well as giving guidance and assisting in legal impetration and case law for a period of 1 year.  Setting online assessments.  Engaging in face-to-face lecturing in labour law, entrepreneurial law, negotiable instruments, and intellectual property law.

Office of the Chief Justice – High Court Pretoria – Law Researcher to the Judges of the High Court (5 Years)

1 July 2018–Current 

Perform legal research functions for the Judges and other Court officials. Preparation and writing of comprehensive legal memoranda. Proofreading and editing services of draft judgments.  Apprising the Judges of this Division up to date on recent developments in case law, practice directives and legislation through formal reports.  Prioritizing urgent tasks and setting reasonable deadlines to accomplish research tasks (time management).  Performed additional duties for the office of Deputy Judge President Ledwaba with the preferential trial role and long duration matters.  Acting Senior Legal Researcher on an ad hoc basis since 2018 until 30 June 2023 (2 years 6 months) which entailed receipt/co-ordination/planning of all research tasks received from Judges and court officials. Ensuring that research conducted by other law researchers meet the quality standards.  Supervising legal Interns from February 2023 to date (6 months) in training, advising, and discussing complex legal matters, time management and all duties of a legal researcher such as proofreading and editing draft judgments.  Acting Senior Legal Researcher on a 6-week rotational basis commencing 14 August 2023.  Daily utilization of electronic information resources and online retrieval products (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Juta stat, Sabinet, Case lines and Court online) in the execution of research tasks. 

University of Pretoria: LLM (NQF LEVEL 9) - Research master’s in public law (Criminal Law) - 2012 – 2016

Research Topic:  The South African criminal law’s response to the crimes of fraud and corruption within local government 

In depth analysis to detect the crimes of fraud and corruption within the municipalities. Forensic investigative methods adopted in order to produce the standard of proof required in our courts of law to successfully prosecute these crimes.  Obtained a 70% pass mark.