Legal Case Timeline
This is a timeline of our journey through the courts since our arrest in 2010. Our progress has been slow but steady since we were granted a Stay in Prosecution and the end is in sight despite us being in limbo with The Trial of the Plant . We have spent the major part of our campaign creating awareness, garnering support and raising funds.
All legal documents contained in this timeline and pertaining to our case are linked to Fields of Green for ALL Resources / Downloads page under LEGAL. All of these documents are in the public domain and we ask that you sign up for our newsletter in order to download or view them.
November 2017
Groundbreaking Heads Of Argument
When we were first introduced to Adv Don Mahon in his Sandton chambers in 2015, our first reaction was a sense of relief. We were still mourning the loss of
October 2017
The State Answer Our Application for Amicus
In a blistering 88 page document the State lay out their objections as to why Fields Of Green For ALL NPC and the three TOTP plaintiffs should NOT be permitted
Fields of Green for ALL Intervenes at the Constitutional Court
The State's appeal of Judge Davis' judgement in the Western Cape High Court on 31 March 2017 will be heard in the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on 07 November 2017.
Working towards a new trial date for 2018.
After taking a break following the trial, we regroup with Schindlers Attorneys and they confirm that they are corresponding with the defendants in order to secure a date to resume
August 2017
The Trial of the Plant – Written Record
Before the start of the trial, Judge Ranchod requested a transcript of the proceedings and our legal team agreed that this would be very useful. Together with the defendants, we
Trial of the Plant – State petitions the SCA to stop live streaming from FGA website
Fields of Green for ALL asked permission from Judge Ranchod to live stream The Trial of the Plant from our website and make the live stream available to media houses.
The Trial of the Plant
Trial of the Plant - Notes day by day. After 7 years of hard work the trial eventually starts. What follows is a summary of proceedings with links to the
July 2017
Trial of the Plant – Summary of Evidence from Both Sides
With The Trial of the Plant starting today (31 July 2017), summaries of both sides of the argument are available for download. TOTP Summary plaintiffs particulars claim TOTP Summary defendants
April 2017
The State Appeals WCHC Judgement
In a 44 page document, the State lay out their argument as at why the Judge Davis privacy ruling should be overturned. Like many, they believe nothing was resolved with
March 2017
Schindlers Attorneys Reply To DFL
After Doctors For Life demand R2.5 million to defend their medical case, Schindlers Attorneys reply to their demands in no uncertain terms. The fact that they voluntarily requested to be
Doctors For Life Demand R2.5million
It has been nearly five years since Doctors For Life became the 8th Defendant in our High Court Hearing. They invited themselves along claiming to be the medical expertise for
November 2016
The State serves it’s Second Expert Notice
October 2016: On the same day that we handed in our expert summaries, we received the 2nd expert notice from the state. Professor Shabir Banoo is from the Medicines Control
October 2016
Expert Witnesses Finalised and Summaries handed in.
31 October 2016: This is the first time in a long while that we feel like we are getting somewhere. We have secured the best experts we can and we
July 2016
The Dagga Couple Criminal Docket is Discovered
July 2016: As part of of the "discovery" process, the state have to provide our attorneys with our criminal docket from the police. This is the first time we see
February 2016
Our Discovery Affidavit is handed in.
February 2016: "Discovery" is a pre-trial procedure whereby the parties make available the evidence that they will be using in the trial. This takes the form of a summarised affidavit
January 2016
The State Serves it’s first Expert Notice
January 2016: "Know Thine Enemy" says the popular adage. The state will be calling Dr David Bayever, who is Deputy Chair of the Central Drug Authority and a lecturer in
December 2015
Another Pre-Trial Conference and ANOTHER Postponement :(
In December 2015 our Attorneys attended another pre-trial conference with the defendants and it was established that we would need 19 court days for The Trial of the Plant. This is an
Crowdfunding for our Expert Witnesses
During November and December 2015 we ran a campaign to raise funds for expenses related to the Expert Witnesses for The Trail of the Plant. 424 backers donated $25286.00, which has been
November 2015
Advocate Chris Carelse Joins our Legal Team
November 2015: The more the merrier as our legal team gains another great mind. Advocate Carelse will assist Advocate Mahon in preparation and litigation for The Trial of the Plant.
October 2015
A Third Plaintiff Joins Our Case
October 2015: Clifford Thorp joins our case. Clifford suffered a raid at his home east of Johannesburg and subsequently retained the services of Schindlers Attorneys. Upon hearing his story and
July 2015
Advocate Don Mahon Joins Legal Team
July 2015: Schindlers Attorneys introduce us to Advocate Don Mahon who is the new captain of our ship.
May 2015
Farewell to Advocate Robin Stransham-Ford
30 April 2015: We bid farewell to the captain of our ship as Robin loses his battle with cancer. Together with Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, the outspoken author of the Medical Innovation
January 2015
Know Your Rights V 3.0 Published
January 2015: Version three of the Dagga Couple ‘Know Your Rights’ booklet published. This handy pocket guide ensures South African cannabis users understand the mechanics of being arrested, and know
December 2014
JoinTheQueue Launches
December 2014: Fields of Green for ALL launches #JoinTheQueue, a legal service to assist anyone on a Dagga charge to obtain a Stay Of Prosecution, pending the outcome of the
May 2014
Pre Trial Conference in Jhb
May 2014: Our first pre trial conference with the State at Schindlers offices, Johannesburg. It is obvious the State is nowhere near ready for this challenge so a postponement of
