Taswell Papier

Taswell Papier, born November 6, 1961, died of pancreatic cancer April 7, 2026, at age 64.

Taswell Papier was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in 2014. He was a rare kind of lawyer and judge. Known for his unwavering conviction that the law must serve those least able to navigate it, Papier spent four decades championing access to justice in South Africa. He grew up in Cape Town’s Cape Flats, studied law at the University of the Western Cape amid turbulent times, and dedicated his life to defending the marginalized, often at no cost.

After founding a community-centered legal practice in Mitchells Plain and pioneering pro bono legal work, Papier went on to serve as a judge of the Western Cape Division of the High Court. He was respected for his humility, generosity, and tireless mentorship of younger lawyers. His legacy endures in the lives he touched and the principle he upheld: the law must bend toward those with the least power. 

Taswell Papier is survived by his wife, Professor Joy Papier, their son Roscoe, daughter Kayla, and his parents and sister.