Power Singh Inc. was founded by two public interest lawyers with a vision to facilitate access to justice and develop a sustainable private-public interest law model.
Working alongside social movements and civil society, we seek to protect and promote fundamental rights and freedoms, hold public and private sector actors to account, facilitate advocacy and activism, and work towards realising South Africa’s constitutional vision.
Power Singh Inc. was founded by two public interest lawyers with a vision to facilitate access to justice and develop a sustainable private-public interest law model.
Working alongside social movements and civil society, we seek to protect and promote fundamental rights and freedoms, hold public and private sector actors to account, facilitate advocacy and activism, and work towards realising South Africa’s constitutional vision.
Protecting and promoting fundamental rights and freedoms
What is public interest law?
Public interest law refers to the legal practice of representing underrepresented people or causes to effect changes in laws and policies which are beneficial to the public.
Instead of serving solely commercial or economic interests, public interest law operates through a human rights lens and aims to achieve the full realisation of fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure the lawful and accountable administration of the public and private sector.
Public interest law can find application through strategic and test case litigation, advocacy and activism, public participation, and research.
What is public interest law?
Public interest law refers to the legal practice of representing underrepresented people or causes to effect changes in laws and policies which are beneficial to the public.
Instead of serving solely commercial or economic interests, public interest law operates through a human rights lens and aims to achieve the full realisation of fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure the lawful and accountable administration of the public and private sector.
Public interest law can find application through strategic and test case litigation, advocacy and activism, public participation, and research.
Ensuring public and private sector accountability
The private-public interest law model
Power Singh Inc., in association with ALT Advisory, seeks to self-fund public interest projects and litigation and develop the private-public interest law model to facilitate access to justice and legal services in South Africa, and on the African continent.
The model is premised on an understanding that there are constraints on donor funding for traditional public interest law organisations and that new funding mechanisms for strategic and test case litigation are needed.
Accordingly, in developing the private-public law firm model, ALT Advisory, which is managed by the same Directors as Power Singh Inc., contributes a large percentage of its annual profits to funding public interest projects and litigation within Power Singh Inc.
Equally, Power Singh Inc. itself relies on multiple fee structures, including pro bono litigation, to facilitate access to justice and legal services.
The private-public interest law model
Power Singh Inc., in association with ALT Advisory, seeks to self-fund public interest projects and litigation and develop the private-public interest law model to facilitate access to justice and legal services in South Africa, and on the African continent.
The model is premised on an understanding that there are constraints on donor funding for traditional public interest law organisations and that new funding mechanisms for strategic and test case litigation are needed.
Accordingly, in developing the private-public law firm model, ALT Advisory, which is managed by the same Directors as Power Singh Inc., contributes a large percentage of its annual profits to funding public interest projects and litigation within Power Singh Inc.
Equally, Power Singh Inc. itself relies on multiple fee structures, including pro bono litigation, to facilitate access to justice and legal services.
Representing underrepresented people and causes
Opportunities
Learn about current opportunities at Power Singh Inc.
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Applications for the Power Singh Inc. Candidate Legal Practitioner Programme 2023-24 are now closed.
Application dates for the 2024-25 Programme will be communicated in due course.
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None.
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Power Singh Inc. offers legal and research internships for periods of between three and six months to law students or graduates who want to pursue careers in public interest law.
Our next available internship opportunities are for:
- April – June 2023.
To apply for the Power Singh Inc. Internship Programme, please e-mail the following information to [email protected]:
- a cover letter expressing an interest and commitment to public interest law;
- a brief curriculum vitae;
- contactable referees; and
- available academic transcripts and / or degree certificates.
Kindly note that in certain circumstances Power Singh Inc. may be able to provide a stipend for the duration of the internship.
Power Singh Inc. strives for employment equity. We encourage applications from previously disadvantaged and marginalised persons.
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To assist law students in making decisions about their futures in the legal profession and the practice of public interest law, Power Singh Inc. offers job shadowing to law students for periods of between one and two weeks.
To apply for job shadowing, please e-mail the following information to [email protected]:
- a motivational letter expressing an interest and commitment in public interest law;
- a brief curriculum vitae; and
- available academic transcripts and / or degree certificates.
Power Singh Inc. strives for employment equity. We encourage applications from previously disadvantaged and marginalised persons.
We regret that due to the high volume of applications that we receive, Power Singh Inc. is not always able to respond to applicants individually. If you have not heard back from us within three weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Developing constitutional and international law
Registration Details
Power Singh Inc. is a law firm registered with the Legal Practice Council of the Republic of South Africa (LPC), and a personal liability company registered in the Republic of South Africa.
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The Director of Power Singh Inc., Michael Power (LPC Membership Number: 37241), is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa (with Right of Appearance), in good standing with the LPC, and in possession of a valid Legal Practitioner’s Fidelity Fund Certificate in compliance with section 84 of the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014.
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Law Firm Registration Number: F18433.
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Company Registration Number: 2018 / 071686 / 21.
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Power Singh Inc. is audited by Nolands.
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Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is an initiative by the South African Government that seeks to redress previous patterns of disadvantage in the South African economy.
In terms of the revised B-BBEE Codes, Power Singh Inc. has a Level 4 BEE Status with 100% procurement recognition.
Power Singh Inc.’s BEE certification is available on request.
Contact us
+2710 822 7860
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