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.
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
November 2013
Fields of Green For ALL is Registered
November 2013: After a year of applications and paperwork, South Africa's first Cannabis non profit company is registered. Fields Of Green For ALL . FGA will become the umbrella for all
August 2013
Advocate Robin Stransham-Ford Joins Legal Team
August 2013: Advocate Robin Stransham-Ford joins our legal team to steer our Constitutional Challenge. We are delighted such an esteemed legal mind has taken up the gauntlet and is skippering the ship.
Schindlers Attorneys Come On Board
August 2013: After two years of knocking on door after door looking for a legal team up to the challenge of taking us to the Constitutional Court, we found one. Actually,
June 2013
Thank You Ferdi
In June 2013 we say goodbye to Ferdi Hartzenburg, the Pretoria based attorney who steered us in the right direction to achieve a precedent in South African law. The challenge
October 2012
Doctors for Life
October 2012: Doctors For Life International apply to the Pretoria high Court to be defendant number 8 for the State in our case. You can download DFL's affidavit here. We
February 2012
Defendants File Their Plea
February 2012: After some delays, the defendants file their plea. This is their reply to our founding affidavit. This set of court papers are a bit obtuse so we have made
November 2011
Defendants File Their Intention
28 October 2011: The defendants file their intention to defend our charges. The Department of Trade & Industry file their intention to abide by the decision of the court. The
July 2011
Stay of Prosecution granted at the Pretoria High Court
16 May 2011: Our Founding Affidavit is handed in at the Pretoria High Court on the same day as we appear in the Magistrate’s Court for the 2nd time. The
February 2011
Magistrate’s Court Appearance
On 14 Febraury 2011 we appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court. We asked that our case be postponed so that we could get the ball rolling to take our case
August 2010
The Dagga Couple Are Raided, Arrested & Charged
In August 2010, we had a very heavy handed visit from the South African Police Service (SAPS) who, acting on a tip off, raided our property in search of a
