About

Hello, welcome!

Utanu Maa is my pen name; my legal name is Utanu Mafandala. I am an author, skills mentor, educator, passionate of AI and legal research, and the founder of French Court Skill Academy, the brand that carries my educational books and contents posts. In my books, I provide practical, effective, comprehensive, and easily understandable knowledge on how to leverage AI ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude by using master legal prompts specifically relevant for legal research to access legal information and guidance for self-defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. I also teach practical court proceedings terminology skills, French Legal Communication, leading to becoming a Bilingual Court Clerk & Registrar or Court Client Representative (CCR) or French Court Interpreter for those aspiring to a career at a courthouse.

Drawing from 22 years of a career as firsthand experienced bilingual Court Registrar in charge of daily courtrooms hearings, I create and share educational contents on court proceedings and how to leverage AI legal master prompts to prepare for trial without a lawyer for self-represented defendants who cannot afford legal fees as I witnessed it many times during my career.

Now retired, I am dedicated to writing poetry, educational books and contents, and mostly to using my knowledge and skills as a former Court Registrar to master AI legal prompts and tools that self-defendants, who cannot afford a lawyer and legal fees, can leverage to get equal access to legal information and guidance to prepare their court case.

During my career as a Court Registrar within the Ontario Court of Justice, my responsibilities also included extensive mentoring and training of newly hired Court Clerks & Registrars and Court Client Representative, contributing to their successful integration into the Court Services for which I was honored to receive a Recognition Letter on my 15 years of dedicated public services:

  • A Court Clerk & Registrar and peer mentor responsible of training new employees.
  • A bilingual Court Clerk & Registrar in charge of French and bilingual (English French) court hearings and judge's swearing-in ceremonies.
  • A primary liaison court staff to debrief the presiding judge about the court docket/list. 
  • Court Clerk & Registrar in charge of accused files, sessions and proceedings, judicial orders, and legal documents.
  • Court Personnel working in close relation with judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, law enforcement officers, stakeholders/agencies, witnesses and the public in general.
  • Court staff in charge of opening court, ensuring decorum and court sessions/ proceedings for bail hearings, pleas, trial, preliminary inquiry, motions, pre-enquetes, and much more.
  • A court staff at the front line to welcome lawyers, accused and their families, sureties, witnesses, and any member of the public.
  • Education in French Literature and Civil Law, Common Law Studies (1 year) and Paralegal Studies.

My mission is to write, teach, share contents to empower self-defendants with knowledge and skills on how to leverage AI to conduct legal research to get equal access to legal information and guidance, essential for preparing a court case, navigating the daunting court system, reducing stress and anxiety and fostering confidence in following and understanding courtroom proceedings for those who cannot afford a lawyer and legal fees.

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what people say

Working alongside Utanu as a Court Clerk and Registrar has been a privilege. Her depth of knowledge in court proceedings and terminologies is exceptional, making her an indispensable asset during our court sessions. Utanu is not only proficient in managing the administrative tasks efficiently but also demonstrates a keen understanding of legal matters, which greatly aids in the smooth functioning of our courtroom. Her attention to detail and professionalism contribute significantly to the accuracy and effectiveness of our proceedings. I highly value  Utanu' s contributions and would highly recommend her as a skilled and reliable Court Clerk and Registrar in any court setting.

K.B.

Utanu has been an invaluable asset to our court services team for nearly two decades. As a bilingual, has been an asset to the Court Services for court hearings such as trials. Her expertise in court terminologies and proceedings is unmatched, making her an excellent trainer for new employees. She has a unique ability to impart knowledge effectively, ensuring that our staff members are well-equipped to handle their responsibilities with confidence.

Emily Moore. 

Utanu is not only a skilled bilingual court clerk and registrar but also an outstanding teacher. Her ability to break down complex concepts into understandable chunks is truly impressive. What I appreciated the most was her patience and willingness to guide me through every step of the job training process. She goes above and beyond to ensure that new employees feel confident and capable in their roles. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor.

James Ferre.

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