The pursuit of fairness

The Constitution of South Africa has been hailed worldwide for its inclusivity. However, it is not what it espouses that matters the most, but how equitably the country’s judicial system applies the laws that it comprises with no biases based on status, colour or creed does.
Bartlett Hewu, as Attorneys, Conveyancers and Notaries, ensure that the law is applied impartially in matters involving its clients, who are drawn from diverse backgrounds. A level 1 BBBEE contributor, the firm provides legal services in the following areas: corporate/commercial law, dispute resolution, employment law, property and gambling law.
Established in 2011, Bartlett Hewu is owned by Mr. Bartlett Hewu, who, in his 40s, is a consummate legal specialist.  He possesses the following qualifications:  B.Juris, LLB, H Dip Tax, H Dip International Tax, Certificate In Advanced Corporate Law and Securities Law, Finance for Non-Financial Managers. He says his love and passion for the practice of law led him to establish a law firm.
Barlett Hewu’s precious commodity are its eight employees, who are highly experienced and qualified. Nonetheless, considering that, in the fast evolving legal landscape, new innovations are emerging, the firm invests in the further education and skills development of its staff. Hewu clarifisd that staff do not contribute anything towards this initiative, as it forms part of the firm’s organic Corporate Social Investment (CSI).
The external component of its CSI initiative is geared towards the indigent persons from Diepsloot and Cosmo City Communities. There is definitely a big scope for the initiative’s expansion.
Barlett Hewu is very conscious about service excellence and also realistic about its capabilities when it comes to delivery, Hewu discloses.
“We do not compromise on service excellence and are not shy to advise clients when we do not have capacity to undertake their instructions. We have adopted a stakeholder approach to our business where we request feedback from clients to enable us to improve our service offering,” he says.
From his experience as the owner of a relatively new entity, Hewu debunks the popular belief that law firms are flush with cash. As other entrepreneurs have confided to Transform SA Online, he says that he has discovered that the availability of work does not necessarily translate to healthy cash flows. “This stems from late payment of invoices, with some being paid over 150 days”, he says, revealing that the company is going all out to resolve the challenge.
Summing up the organisation’s future plan, Hewu says: “We aim to be the legal services provider of choice, in addition, to grow the corporate and blue chip client base of the firm and to employ more skilled and experienced practitioners.”
For those that want to open their own law firms, he has a few valuable words:  “Integrity and service excellence are non- negotiable. Excel in what you do, love what you and continue to seek more knowledge. Businesses are built on relationships, thus it is important to invest in long lasting mutually beneficial relationships.”
Barlett Hewu Attorneys, Conveyancers and Notaries are based in Fourways, Fourways Office Park, Cnr Fourways Boulevard & Roos Street, 2191