Midrand attorney’s article wins 2016 LexisNexis prize

Midrand attorney Dineo Peta’s article has won the 2016 LexisNexis prize for a legal practitioners competition for the best article by a practising attorney published in leading legal journal, De Rebus.

The article was on the effect of the ‘once empowered always empowered’ rule in the mining industry. Peta said she was compelled to research the matter following the release of the draft Reviewed Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry on 15 April last year.

“The rule of ‘once empowered always empowered’ can have no legal standing in a constitutional democracy with a founding value of equality,” she concluded.

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She explained that when the draft amendments to the mining charter were published and received resistance from the industry, it became thought-provoking as to what the constitutional effect of this rule would be, further considering relevant international and national laws.

“I wanted to conduct research on the issue because I felt the rule impeded transformation, which is the primary objective of the Charter in question,” she added.

The 35-year-old Peta runs her own legal practice, which specialises in mining law, energy law, environmental law and commercial law. Her prize from LexisNexis includes a Lenovo Tablet, as well as one year’s free access to one practice area of LexisNexis Practical Guidance, valued at over R11 500.

“I am sincerely humbled to have won and to receive recognition of this nature. The inclination to write the article was based purely on how passionately I felt about the application of certain legal considerations. It didn’t cross my mind it would be considered for an award. I am grateful to De Rebus as the award is quite empowering and a great accolade to myself and my firm,” said Peta.

Entries are open for this year’s submissions. Interested attorneys are encouraged to submit an article not exceeding 2 000 words, which should comply with the general De Rebus publication guidelines. The article must be published between 1 January and 31 December this year. 2017.

Peta’s complete piece, The effect of the ‘once empowered always empowered’ rule on the mining industry, can be read at https://www.derebus.org.za/effect-empowered-always-empowered-rule-mining-industry/

Edited by Beryl Knipe

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