Glossary

  • Civil Litigation Division: The division of the Attorney General responsible for litigation and defending of cases against Government and or public officers.
  • State Counsel: An attorney admitted to practice in the courts of Botswana and who is an employee of the Attorney General of Botswana.
  • Defence Unit: It’s responsible for defending matters against the Government and public officials.
  • Claims Unit: A unit in the Civil Litigation Division responsible for recovery of debts owed to Government.
  • Taxation Unit: It’s responsible for recovering legal costs awarded to the Government by the Courts.
  • Civil Matter: An action, suit or other original proceeding.
  • Statutory Notice: A notice to sue Government or a public officer issued in terms of Section 4 of the State Proceedings Act.
  • Judgment: A decree or pronouncement on the rights and obligations of the Parties given by the Judges of the High Court and of the Court of Appeal as well as Magistrates Courts.
  • Court Rules: a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct and procedure of the Magistrate Court and High Court as well as the Court of Appeal. The Rules are adhered to by both parties, whether represented or unrepresented (self-actors).
  • Civil record management unit: It is the unit responsible for receiving all court processes. It thereafter sorts the processes received, locates the files in the system and to which Counsel is seized with the matter.