1. Introduction; 2. South Africa: formal law and the constitution; 3. Informal justice: a favourable alternative?; 4. From politics to law-making: NGOs and the state in South Africa; 5. The justice system: space for negotiating human rights; 6. The art of litigation: tactics and impact; 7. Access to justice and NGOs: awareness, guidance and empowerment; 8. Disabling factors for socio-legal development: insights from Egypt; 9. Conclusion.