Smuts bids farewell after five decades of legal excellence
Justice Dave Smuts, one of the four judges who served on Namibia's Supreme Court and the founder of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), has stepped down after an illustrious 50-year legal career.
At Smuts' farewell on Monday at the Supreme Court in Windhoek, chief justice Peter Shivute said Smuts authored over 130 reported judgments at the High Court and more than 80 at the Supreme Court.
"As you retire, you leave behind a legacy of intellectual rigour, fairness and commitment to justice. May your retirement be both restful and rewarding".
In response to Smuts’ accomplishments during his long career, Shivute said: "These accomplishments underscore not only his intellect but also his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Born on 17 November 1954, Smuts (70) began his academic journey in South Africa, where he completed his schooling.
He earned his law degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 1977.
In 1983, he continued his studies at the prestigious Harvard Law School, obtaining a Master of Laws degree with the assistance of a Rössing Foundation leadership scholarship and a Fulbright scholarship.
Smuts' academic pursuits did not stop there.
In 1990, he was elected as the Orville Schell, Jr Fellow at Yale Law School in the United States, where he continued to hone his legal skills.
Advocating for justice
Smuts' career began in 1982 when he was admitted as an attorney to the then Supreme Court of South West Africa.
Upon his return from Harvard, he joined Lorentz & Bone, Namibia's oldest law firm, until its closure in March 2006, where he quickly rose to the position of partner.
In 1988, Smuts left the firm to establish the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) as its founding director, marking a significant milestone in his career dedicated to advancing justice and human rights.
New to the Supreme Court
Following justice Smuts' retirement yesterday, Shivute swore in justice Hosea Angula as a Supreme Court judge.
justice Angula, who made history in 2015 as the first deputy judge president, has served as an acting High Court judge since 1996 and was permanently appointed in 2016. Born in Ondangwa, Omusati Region, he earned his law degree from the University of the North in 1982, was admitted as an attorney in 1985, and became a partner at Lorentz & Bone in 1988.
At Smuts' farewell on Monday at the Supreme Court in Windhoek, chief justice Peter Shivute said Smuts authored over 130 reported judgments at the High Court and more than 80 at the Supreme Court.
"As you retire, you leave behind a legacy of intellectual rigour, fairness and commitment to justice. May your retirement be both restful and rewarding".
In response to Smuts’ accomplishments during his long career, Shivute said: "These accomplishments underscore not only his intellect but also his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Born on 17 November 1954, Smuts (70) began his academic journey in South Africa, where he completed his schooling.
He earned his law degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 1977.
In 1983, he continued his studies at the prestigious Harvard Law School, obtaining a Master of Laws degree with the assistance of a Rössing Foundation leadership scholarship and a Fulbright scholarship.
Smuts' academic pursuits did not stop there.
In 1990, he was elected as the Orville Schell, Jr Fellow at Yale Law School in the United States, where he continued to hone his legal skills.
Advocating for justice
Smuts' career began in 1982 when he was admitted as an attorney to the then Supreme Court of South West Africa.
Upon his return from Harvard, he joined Lorentz & Bone, Namibia's oldest law firm, until its closure in March 2006, where he quickly rose to the position of partner.
In 1988, Smuts left the firm to establish the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) as its founding director, marking a significant milestone in his career dedicated to advancing justice and human rights.
New to the Supreme Court
Following justice Smuts' retirement yesterday, Shivute swore in justice Hosea Angula as a Supreme Court judge.
justice Angula, who made history in 2015 as the first deputy judge president, has served as an acting High Court judge since 1996 and was permanently appointed in 2016. Born in Ondangwa, Omusati Region, he earned his law degree from the University of the North in 1982, was admitted as an attorney in 1985, and became a partner at Lorentz & Bone in 1988.
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