Legal Activities

Doctors For Life (DFL) liaises with, and recruits, legal professionals to be an effective voice when Christian ethics and sound science are at stake. Involvement in the legal realm is vital for the preservation of moral values and integrity within society and the medical profession. DFL also stands for the rights of its healthcare workers in relation to medical ethical issues and for the freedom of conscientious objection within medical practice.

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Legal advocacy is undertaken in the form of court actions, submissions to parliament and representation in public forums. Extensive research is conducted to procure expert evidence for court cases. With the support of various legal counsels and international experts, DFL is committed to providing ethical advice and evidence-based information to members and the broader community.

The legal team working with DFL to oppose the legalisation of Dagga
(From left: Helen Davidtsz, Christo van Eeden, Julie-Anne Harwood, Reg Willis, Mpati Qofa, Tererai Mafukidze)

The legal team working with DFL to oppose the legalisation of Dagga
(From left: Helen Davidtsz, Christo van Eeden, Julie-Anne Harwood, Reg Willis, Mpati Qofa, Tererai Mafukidze)

DFL has been involved in approximately 15 landmark court cases in South Africa including:

  • Prince v President of Law Society (2000). DFL provided evidence of the harmful effects of cannabis (dagga). The Constitutional court ruled that dagga remain illegal.
  • Jordan case (2001). DFL successfully opposed the legalisation of prostitution.
  • De Reuck case (2003). The court ruled child pornography remain illegal.
  • Top TV/StarSat case (2014). DFL successfully opposed the introduction of dedicated pornography TV channels in South Africa.
  • Stransham-Ford case (2015). Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that Euthanasia remain illegal.
  • Stobbs & Clark Dagga case (2017).
  • Prince Constitutional Dagga case (2017).

High Court to hear Dr De Vos Application against HPCSA

February 1, 2022

Media Release Embargo: Immediate release                                   Enquiries:   Doctors For Life Int. Date:      01 February 2022                                         Telephone:   032 481 5550 The Review Application of Dr De Vos against the Health Professions Council of South Africa is to heard on 1 February 2022 in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Dr De Vos is asking the High Court … Read more

PRO-LIFE DOCTOR TAKES HPCSA TO COURT

January 25, 2021

Media Release Embargo: Immediate release                                   Enquiries:   Doctors For Life Int. Date:      22 January 2021                                         Telephone:   032 481 5550 Dr Jacques de Vos, whose professional conduct hearing has been delayed by the HPCSA since 2017, has applied to the North Gauteng High Court to compel the HPCSA to finalise the hearing against him. In 2017 … Read more

HPCSA drops all charges against Pro-life doctor

October 6, 2020

The HPCSA has withdrawn all charges against Dr Jacques de Vos after more than two years of delays and postponements. Dr De Vos’ legal team has responded to the HPCSA, stating that Dr De Vos has been punished unduly and should be acquitted. The Disciplinary Committee has been requested to suggest to the HPCSA to … Read more

Pro-life doctor’s hearing to resume after more delays

September 9, 2020

MEDIA RELEASE Embargo: Immediate release                                      Enquiries:  Doctors For Life Int. Date:        09 September 2020                                    Telephone: 032 481 5550 The hearing of Dr De Vos (charged by the HPCSA for advising that an unborn baby is a human life), will hopefully resume within the next three to four weeks. In November 2019 the … Read more

US PROFESSOR TO TESTIFY IN TRIAL OF PRO-LIFE DOCTOR

March 7, 2020

US PROFESSOR TO TESTIFY IN TRIAL OF PRO-LIFE DOCTOR