In areas where people live in close proximity to one another, disputes usually ensue. Community advice offices (CAOs) are the first point of call for people living in townships and rural areas to access justice.

The Constitutional Court is located in Gauteng, but for people to really access their constitutional rights at grassroots level they need the free information, advice and help that the CAOs can give.

In this province, community advice offices often deal with labour issues, domestic violence cases and civil claims. They have extensive experience in dispute resolution. Gauteng is the financial capital of the continent, but many people in the province struggle with debt. CAOs give guidance on these matters.

Gauteng also has one of the biggest hospitals on the continent, namely Chris Hani Baragwanath. Rights relating to HIV is another subject that CAOs often deal with.

The Gauteng Paralegal Advice Office Forum aims to support these CAOs to ensure that people who do not have the money to visit lawyers are able to access free legal advice.

Established in November 2009, one of the Forum's goals is to improve the quality of service offered by community-based paralegals at CAOs by contributing to the development of a curriculum for paralegals, sharing best practice and securing training opportunities. The professionalisation of the sector is important to the Forum.

The Gauteng Paralegal Advice Office Forum partners with Legal Aid South Africa, Probono.org, the Legal Resource Centre and the Department of Justice to further its goals.