VISION MISSION

LEGAL OFFICEVISIONEnsure the realisation of the vision of the University byproviding effi cient legal services to the University.MISSIONTo provide legal advice and services to protect theinterests of the University and to ensure that theUniversity adheres to legal requirements and conductsits business in accordance with a sound legal practiceand framework within the laws of the country and inparticular the University of Swaziland Act and theUniversity Statutes.OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the Legal Offi ce are to:Provide legal advice and ensure legality in decisionmaking and adherence to and compliance with theUniversity of Swaziland Act, Statutes and other legalrequirements;Minimize legal challenges to activities of theUniversity and potential litigation involving theUniversity;Ensure soundness of contracts and other legaldocuments to which the University is a party;Ensure that the University legal framework isupdated; andProvide legal and administrative support in respectof disciplinary matters involving students andpersonnel.SUMMARYThe Legal Office continues to play a pivotal role in theprovision of legal services to all structures of the University.One such crucial role is to ensure that the University legalregime is reviewed and updated to keep apace with thechanging demands of the University. To this extent, theStatutes of the University have been updated; and areas stilloutstanding will be finalised in June 2011. Also, the Officehas spearheaded the process of amending the University ofSwaziland Act, 1983, which is now nearing completion. It ishoped that a Bill incorporating the proposed amendmentswill go through the legislative structures of the countrybefore the end of 2011 and that a new Act will bepromulgated.Ms. G.P. MndzebeleSenior Legal Offi cerThe Offi ce continues to promptly deal with disciplinarymatters involving both students and employees of theUniversity. With no backlog of cases, it is believed that theeffi cient disposal of disciplinary matters will go a long wayin addressing issues of indiscipline among staff membersand students.The Offi ce has been available to give legal advice or opinionson a wide range of issues. The Offi ce has ensured legality indecision-making and this has invariably contributed to thedecline in litigation. There have been a few labour mattersthat have gone as far as the Conciliation, Mediation andArbitration Commission (CMAC) and two have gone asfar as the Industrial Court.In line with its objective of ensuring soundness ofcontracts and other legal instruments, the Offi ce hasbeen able to draft and vet a number of contracts that theUniversity has entered into with other parties. This is forthe purpose of protecting the interests of the Universityat all times.17REPORT OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR