Championing justice: Suhail Jadwat's journey in law and advocacy
Passion for justice
Suhail Jadwat and his wife, Sarah Jadwat.
Image: Supplied
Suhail Jadwat, who recently graduated with a Master of Laws (LLM) at UKZN, is already establishing himself as one of the country’s most promising legal minds. This is not only for his courtroom abilities but also for his unwavering commitment to justice, social change, and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable.
Based in Durban and currently completing his legal articles at Legal Aid South Africa, Jadwat works primarily in criminal law, serving communities in Umlazi and Umbumbulu.
"What inspires me is a deeply rooted passion for justice - particularly when it comes to standing up for those who are most vulnerable and often overlooked. Growing up, and through my early legal experiences, I saw first-hand how poverty and inequality affect access to justice, and that left a permanent mark on me," said Jadwat.
His study, titled: “A Critical Review of South Africa’s Response to Cybercrime Forms of Gender-Based Violence”, critically examined how well the South African legal system was equipped to address digital abuse, including online stalking, revenge porn, and cyberbullying.
"I found that while the Cybercrimes Act is a step in the right direction, we are still far behind in giving victims the justice and protection they deserve. Law enforcement lacks the training and tools to respond effectively, and victims often have nowhere to turn. It’s a silent crisis playing out on our phones and computers every day."
Jadwat’s recommendations are bold and actionable, calling for the creation of specialised cybercrime units within the police force, stronger collaboration between government and social media platforms, and the inclusion of digital safety awareness in school curricula.
His commitment extends beyond academic work and courtroom advocacy. Through food schemes, tutoring programmes, and legal education initiatives, he actively engages with his community on the ground.
"My dream is to become a magistrate and eventually lecture full-time at a university, as I believe teaching is powerful. If I ever step into a lecture hall, I don’t want to just teach theory, I want to inspire future lawyers to fall in love with the law and recognise its potential to bring justice where it’s most needed."
As a devoted family man and firm believer in the transformative power of the law, Jadwat’s journey has not been without its challenges. He recalls this period as one of the most difficult seasons of his life.
"Balancing a full-time job as a legal practitioner, completing my Master’s degree, and starting a marriage all at once required tremendous focus and sacrifice but I never gave up. I stayed grounded by my faith, and I kept moving forward."
Jadwat is intending to pursue a PhD in law, with a specific focus on gender-based violence and cyber law.