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ChecklistConstitutional LawMedium
Constitutional Rights Checklist
Prepare a rights-related complaint or legal consultation by organising the right affected, public body or actor involved, evidence, remedies, urgency, and complaint-route options.
Time to prepare2-5 hours
Before you start
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Before complaint or consultation
0/4 completedOn complaint or consultation day
0/3 completedAfterwards
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You believe a right may have been infringed by the state, a public body, or another actor where constitutional rights are relevant.
You need to prepare facts before approaching a lawyer, Chapter 9 institution, regulator, ombud, or court route.
Not For
- Urgent safety, arrest, detention, eviction, or violence situations without immediate legal or emergency help.
- Final advice on whether a constitutional claim exists.
Documents
- ID document
- Decision notices
- Complaint records
- Photos or videos
- Messages
- Medical records
- Police records
- Witness list
- Proof of service requests
- Reference numbers
- Impact evidence
Timeline
- Immediately: record the right affected, actor, and urgent risk.
- Before complaint: collect evidence and previous response proof.
- During escalation: confirm forum and remedy.
- Afterwards: track references and update evidence.
Tips
- Focus on facts, dates, actors, and impact.
- Keep complaint references in one place.
- Use official complaint channels where they fit.
- Get urgent advice if liberty, housing, health, safety, children, or immigration status is affected.
Warning Signs
- There is detention, violence, eviction, or child-safety risk.
- A public body refuses reasons or records.
- Deadlines for appeal or review may be running.
- Evidence may disappear unless preserved quickly.
Official sources
- Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996Bill of Rights and constitutional-rights context.
- South African Human Rights Commission complaintsHuman-rights complaint route context.
- Department of Justice Equality CourtsEquality Court and discrimination-route context.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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