Wilma Ewest Incorporated

PAIA Manual

Last updated: 11 October 2026

Manual of Wilma Ewest Incorporated, trading as Wilma Ewest Attorneys, in terms of section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (PAIA), as amended by the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

1. Purpose of this manual

This manual explains what records the firm holds, which of them are available without a formal request, how to ask for access to the others, and how the firm processes personal information. Wilma Ewest Incorporated is a firm of attorneys, conveyancers and notaries practising from Boksburg, Gauteng.

2. Contact details

  • Head of the private body and Information Officer: Wilma Ewest
  • Physical address: 658 Trichardts Road, Beyers Park, Boksburg, 1459
  • Postal address: P.O. Box 14568, Farrarmere, 1518
  • Telephone: 011 894 4267
  • Email: info@wilmaewestatt.co.za
  • Website: wilmaewestatt.co.za

3. The guide on how to use PAIA

The Information Regulator has published a guide, in terms of section 10 of PAIA, to help anyone who wishes to exercise a right under PAIA or POPIA. It explains, among other things, how to make a request, the fees that may apply, and the remedies available if a request is refused. The guide is available in the official languages from the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za, by email at enquiries@inforegulator.org.za, and a copy may be inspected at our offices during business hours.

4. Records available without a request

The following are available without a formal request under PAIA: the information published on this website, including our privacy policy, cookie policy, terms and conditions and this manual.

5. Records kept in terms of other legislation

The firm keeps records, where applicable, in terms of the following legislation. Access to them is available only as those Acts allow.

  • Legal Practice Act, 28 of 2014, and the rules made under it
  • Companies Act, 71 of 2008
  • Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 38 of 2001
  • Deeds Registries Act, 47 of 1937
  • Sectional Titles Act, 95 of 1986, and Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act, 8 of 2011
  • Wills Act, 7 of 1953, and Administration of Estates Act, 66 of 1965
  • Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, Value-Added Tax Act, 89 of 1991, and Tax Administration Act, 28 of 2011
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997, and Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995
  • Unemployment Insurance Act, 63 of 2001, and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 130 of 1993
  • Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013
  • Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 25 of 2002

6. Subjects and categories of records held

  • The firm: incorporation and statutory records, directors' records, Legal Practice Council and Fidelity Fund records, and internal policies.
  • Clients and matters: mandates and instructions, correspondence, identity and FICA verification records, conveyancing and transfer files, bond and deeds documents, notarial deeds, wills and estate planning documents, and other matter files.
  • Financial: accounting records, trust account records, invoices and statements, and tax records.
  • Employees, where applicable: employment contracts, payroll and leave records, and records kept under employment legislation.
  • Suppliers and service providers: agreements, correspondence and invoices.
  • Website: enquiries and comments received through this website.

Many client records are subject to legal professional privilege and the duty of confidentiality, and may be refused on those grounds (section 9 below).

7. How the firm processes personal information

Purposes. To provide legal, conveyancing and notarial services; to verify clients and comply with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act and other law; to register transactions and lodge documents; to keep accounting and trust records and to bill; to employ staff; to manage suppliers; and to answer enquiries.

Categories of people and information. Clients (names, identity numbers, contact details, marital status, and the financial and property information a matter needs); other parties to a transaction, such as sellers, purchasers, banks and estate agents (identity and contact details and transaction information); employees (information needed for employment); suppliers (contact, banking and contract details); and website visitors (as set out in the privacy policy).

Who it may be shared with. Only as a matter or the law requires: the Deeds Office, the Master of the High Court, banks and other attorneys acting in the same transaction, municipalities, the South African Revenue Service, the Legal Practice Council and the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund, the Financial Intelligence Centre, and the firm's own service providers (such as IT, email and website hosting), who process it only on the firm's instructions.

Information sent outside South Africa. Some of the firm's service providers (for example email and website hosting) may store information on servers outside South Africa. The firm uses providers bound by recognised data-protection laws and agreements.

Security. The firm applies reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, damage and unauthorised access, including restricting access to those who need it.

8. How to request access to a record

A request must be made on the prescribed request form under the PAIA Regulations, 2021, available from the Information Regulator's website and from the Information Officer. Send it to the Information Officer at the address or email in section 2. Give enough detail to identify the record, say how you want access, and give an email address, postal address or fax number for the reply. If you request on behalf of someone else, show your authority to do so.

  • Fees. A request fee and, if access is granted, an access fee may be payable, at the amounts prescribed in the PAIA Regulations. No request fee applies when you ask for records about yourself. A deposit may be asked for where the search will take long; it is refunded if access is refused.
  • Time. You will be told the decision within 30 days of receiving the request. That period may be extended once, by up to 30 days, in the circumstances PAIA allows; you will be told why.
  • Decision. If access is refused you will be given reasons, and told that you may complain to the Information Regulator or apply to court.

9. Grounds for refusal

The firm may refuse access on the grounds set out in Chapter 4 of Part 3 of PAIA, including where:

  • the record is privileged from production in legal proceedings, unless the privilege is waived;
  • disclosure would unreasonably disclose personal information about a third party, including a deceased person;
  • disclosure would breach a duty of confidence owed to a third party;
  • the record contains commercial information of the firm or a third party whose disclosure would cause harm;
  • disclosure would endanger anybody's life or safety, or the security of property;
  • the record is a computer program, or concerns research being carried out.

10. Records that cannot be found, and third parties

If a record cannot be found or does not exist, you will be told so by affidavit or affirmation, with the steps taken to find it. If a record concerns a third party, the firm will tell that party of the request and consider any representations they make before deciding.

11. Complaints

If you are not satisfied with a decision, you may complain to the Information Regulator at PAIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za or through inforegulator.org.za, or apply to court.

12. Availability and updating of this manual

This manual is published on this website and may be inspected at 658 Trichardts Road, Beyers Park, Boksburg, 1459 during business hours. A copy is given to the Information Regulator on request. It is updated whenever the firm's details or practices change, with the date at the top.