Superior Courts Act

SUPERIORCOURTSACT
NO.10OF2013
[ViewRegulation]
[ASSENTEDTO12AUGUST,2013]
[DATEOFCOMMENCEMENT:23AUGUST,2013]
(Unlessotherwiseindicated)
(EnglishtextsignedbythePresident)
ThisActhasbeenupdatedtoGovernmentGazette36774dated22August,2013.
ACT
Torationalise,consolidateandamendthelawsrelatingtotheConstitutionalCourt,theSupremeCourtof
AppealandtheHighCourtofSouthAfricatomakeprovisionfortheadministrationofthejudicialfunctionsof
allcourtstomakeprovisionforadministrativeandbudgetarymattersrelatingtotheSuperiorCourtsandto
provideformattersincidentalthereto.
Preamble
NOTINGTHATsection1oftheConstitutionoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica,1996,providesthatthesupremacyof
theConstitutionandtheruleoflawformpartofthefoundingvaluesoftheRepublic
ANDsection165oftheConstitutionprovidesthat
(a) thejudicialauthorityoftheRepublicisvestedinthecourts
(b) thecourtsareindependentandsubjectonlytotheConstitutionandthelaw,whichtheymustapply
impartiallyandwithoutfear,favourorprejudice
(c) nopersonororganofstatemayinterferewiththefunctioningofthecourts
(d) organsofstate,throughlegislativeandothermeasures,mustassistandprotectthecourtstoensure
theindependence,impartiality,dignity,accessibilityandeffectivenessofthecourts
(e) anorderordecisionbyacourtbindsallpersonstowhomandallorgansofstatetowhichitapplies
and
(f) theChiefJusticeistheheadofthejudiciaryandexercisesresponsibilityovertheestablishmentand
monitoringofnormsandstandardsfortheexerciseofthejudicialfunctionsofallcourts
ANDsection166oftheConstitutionprovidesthatthecourtsare
(a) theConstitutionalCourt
(b) theSupremeCourtofAppeal
(c) theHighCourtofSouthAfrica
(d) theMagistrates'Courtsand
(e) anyothercourtestablishedorrecognisedintermsofanActofParliament,includinganycourtofa
statussimilartoeithertheHighCourtortheMagistrates'Courts
ANDsection171oftheConstitutionprovidesthatallcourtsfunctionintermsofnationallegislation,andtheir
rulesandproceduresmustbeprovidedforintermsofnationallegislation
ANDsection180oftheConstitutionprovidesthatnationallegislationmayprovideforanymatterconcerningthe
administrationofjusticethatisnotdealtwithintheConstitution
ANDitem16(6)(a)ofSchedule6totheConstitutionprovidesthatassoonaspracticalaftertheConstitution
tookeffectallcourts,includingtheirstructure,composition,functioningandjurisdiction,andallrelevantlegislation,
mustberationalisedwithaviewtoestablishingajudicialsystemsuitedtotherequirementsoftheConstitution
NOTINGFURTHERthat,withtheadventofthedemocraticconstitutionaldispensationin1994,theRepublic
inheritedafragmentedcourtstructureandinfrastructurewhichwerelargelyderivedfromourcolonialhistoryand
weresubsequentlyfurtherstructuredtoservethesegregationobjectivesoftheapartheiddispensation
ANDthat,beforetheadventofthedemocraticconstitutionaldispensationin1994,theMagistrates'Courtswere
notconstitutionallyrecognisedaspartofthejudicialauthorityandwerelargelydealtwithasanextensionofthe
publicservice
ANDthat,sincetheConstitutionprovidesthatthejudicialauthorityisvestedinallthecourts,itisdesirableto
provideforauniformframeworkforjudicialmanagement,bythejudiciary,ofthejudicialfunctionsofallcourts
ANDRECOGNISINGthattherationalisationenvisagedbyitem16(6)(a)ofSchedule6totheConstitutionisan
ongoingprocessthatislikelytoresultinfurtherlegislativeandothermeasuresinordertoestablishajudicial
systemsuitedtotherequirementsoftheConstitution,
PARLIAMENToftheRepublicofSouthAfricaenacts,asfollows:
ARRANGEMENTOFSECTIONS
CHAPTER1
INTRODUCTORYPROVISIONS
1. Definitions
2. ObjectsandinterpretationofAct
3. Introductionoflegislationdealingwithcourtstructures
CHAPTER2
CONSTITUTIONALCOURT,SUPREMECOURTOFAPPEALANDHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA
4. ConstitutionandseatofConstitutionalCourt
5. ConstitutionandseatofSupremeCourtofAppeal
6. ConstitutionofHighCourtofSouthAfrica
7. CircuitCourts
CHAPTER3
GOVERNANCEANDADMINISTRATIONOFALLCOURTS
8. Judicialmanagementofjudicialfunctions
9. Accesstocourts,recessperiodsandattendanceatcourts
10. Finances
11. Appointmentofofficersandstaff
CHAPTER4
MANNEROFARRIVINGATDECISIONSBYSUPERIORCOURTS
12. MannerofarrivingatdecisionsbyConstitutionalCourt
13. MannerofarrivingatdecisionsbySupremeCourtofAppeal
14. MannerofarrivingatdecisionsbyDivisions
CHAPTER5
ORDERSOFCONSTITUTIONALINVALIDITY,APPEALSANDSETTLEMENTOFCONFLICTINGDECISIONS
15. ReferraloforderofconstitutionalinvaliditytoConstitutionalCourt
16. Appealsgenerally
17. Leavetoappeal
18. Suspensionofdecisionpendingappeal
19. Powersofcourtonhearingofappeals
20. Settlementofconflictingdecisionsincivilcases
CHAPTER6
PROVISIONSAPPLICABLETOHIGHCOURTONLY
PersonsoverwhomandmattersinrelationtowhichDivisions
21.
havejurisdiction
22. GroundsforreviewofproceedingsofMagistrates'Court
23. Judgmentbydefault
24. Timeallowedforappearance
25. Circumstancesinwhichsecurityforcostsshallnotberequired
26. DisposalofrecordsandexecutionofjudgmentsofCircuitCourts
RemovalofproceedingsfromoneDivisiontoanotherorfromone
27.
seattoanotherinsameDivision
28. ProhibitiononattachmenttofoundjurisdictionwithinRepublic
CHAPTER7
RULESOFCOURT
29. RulesofConstitutionalCourt
30. RulesofSupremeCourtofAppealandHighCourt
CHAPTER8
GENERALPROVISIONSAPPLICABLETOALLSUPERIORCOURTS
PART1Natureofcourts
31. Natureofcourtsandseals
32. Proceedingstobecarriedoninopencourt
33. Morethanonecourtmaysitatsametime
PART2Adducingofevidenceandproceduralmatters
34. Certifiedcopiesofcourtrecordsadmissibleasevidence
Mannerofsecuringattendanceofwitnessesorproductionofany
35.
documentorthinginproceedingsandpenaltiesforfailure
Mannerinwhichwitnessmaybedealtwithonrefusaltogive
36.
evidenceorproducedocuments
37. Witnessfees
38. Referenceofparticularmattersforinvestigationbyreferee
39. Examinationbyinterrogatories
Mannerofdealingwithcommissionsrogatoire,lettersofrequest
40.
anddocumentsforserviceoriginatingfromforeigncountries
41. Courtmayorderremovalofcertainpersons
PART3ProcessofSuperiorCourts
42. Scopeandexecutionofprocess
43. Executionofprocessbysheriff
Transmissionofsummonses,writsandotherprocessandof
44.
noticeofissuethereof
45. Propertynotliabletobeseizedinexecution
46. Offencesrelatingtoexecution
Issuingofsummonsorsubpoenaincivilproceedingsagainst
47.
judge
48. ActingjudgesofSuperiorCourts
49. Regulations
CHAPTER9
TRANSITIONALPROVISIONS,AMENDMENTANDREPEALOFLAWS,ANDCOMMENCEMENT
50. ExistingHighCourts
51. RulesinexistenceimmediatelybeforecommencementofAct
52. PendingproceedingswhenActcommences
53. Referencesinotherlaws
54. Financialaccountability
55. Repealandamendmentoflaws
56. Shorttitleandcommencement
Schedule1. Lawsrepealed(Section55(1)(a))
Schedule2. Lawsamended(Section55(1)(b))
CHAPTER1
INTRODUCTORYPROVISIONS
1.Definitions.InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiseindicates
"appeal"inChapter5,doesnotincludeanappealinamatterregulatedintermsoftheCriminalProcedureAct,
1977(ActNo.51of1977),orintermsofanyothercriminalprocedurallaw
"businessday"meansadaythatisnotapublicholiday,SaturdayorSunday
"Constitution"meanstheConstitutionoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica,1996
"Department"meanstheDepartmentresponsiblefortheadministrationofjustice
"DirectorGeneral"meanstheDirectorGeneraloftheDepartment
"Division"meansanyDivisionoftheHighCourt
"fullcourt",inrelationtoanyDivision,meansaCourtconsistingofthreejudges
"headofcourt",inrelationto
(i) theConstitutionalCourt,meanstheChiefJustice
(ii) theSupremeCourtofAppeal,meansthePresidentofthatCourt
(iii) anyDivisionoftheHighCourt,meanstheJudgePresidentofthatDivisionand
(iv) anycourtofastatussimilartotheHighCourt,themostseniorjudgeofsuchcourt
"HighCourt"meanstheHighCourtofSouthAfricareferredtoinsection6(1)
"judicialofficer"meansanypersonreferredtoinsection174(1)oftheConstitution
"JudicialServiceCommission"meanstheJudicialServiceCommissionreferredtoinsection178 o f the
Constitution
"Magistrates'Court"meansanycourtestablishedintermsofsection2oftheMagistrates'CourtsAct,1944
(ActNo.32of1944)
"Minister"meanstheCabinetmemberresponsiblefortheadministrationofjustice
"plaintiff"includesanyapplicantorotherpartywhoseeksreliefincivilproceedings
"prescribed"meansprescribedbyregulationmadeintermsofthisAct
"President"meansthePresidentoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica
"registrar"meanstheregistraroftheConstitutionalCourt,theSupremeCourtofAppealoranyDivisionofthe
HighCourt,asthecasemaybe,andincludesanassistantregistrar
"rules"meanstheapplicablerulesofcourt
"RulesBoard"meanstheRulesBoardforCourtsofLaw,establishedbytheRulesBoardforCourtsofLawAct,
1985(ActNo.107of1985)
"SecretaryGeneral"meanstheheadoftheOfficeoftheChiefJustice,referredtoinColumn2ofSchedule1to
thePublicServiceAct,1994(ProclamationNo.103of1994)
"SuperiorCourt"meanstheConstitutionalCourt,theSupremeCourtofAppeal,theHighCourtandanycourt
ofastatussimilartotheHighCourt
"thisAct"includesanyregulation.
2.ObjectsandinterpretationofAct.(1)TheobjectsofthisActare
(a) toconsolidateandrationalisethelawspertainingtoSuperiorCourtsascontemplatedinitem16(6)
ofSchedule6totheConstitution
(b) tobringthestructureoftheSuperiorCourtsinlinewiththeprovisionsofChapter8 a n d t h e
transformationimperativesoftheConstitutionand
(c) tomakeprovisionfortheadministrationofthejudicialfunctionsofallcourts,includinggovernance
issues,overwhichtheChiefJusticeexercisesresponsibility.
(2)ThisActmustbereadinconjunctionwithChapter8 o f theConstitution,whichcontainsthefounding
provisionsforthestructureandjurisdictionoftheSuperiorCourts,theappointmentofjudgesoftheSuperior
CourtsandmattersrelatedtotheSuperiorCourts.
(3)TheprovisionsofthisActrelatingtoSuperiorCourtsotherthantheConstitutionalCourt,theSupreme
CourtofAppealortheHighCourtofSouthAfrica,arecomplementarytoanyspecificlegislationpertainingtosuch
Courts,butintheeventofaconflictbetweenthisActandsuchlegislation,suchlegislationmustprevail.
3.Introductionoflegislationdealingwithcourtstructures.TheMinistermustbeconsultedpriortothe
introductioninParliament,byapersonotherthantheMinister,ofanybill
(a) providingfortheestablishmentofanycourtoflaw
(b) providingfortheestablishmentofanytribunalcontemplatedinsection34oftheConstitution
(c) thatamendsthestructureorfunctionsofanycourtoflawortribunalreferredtoinparagraph(a)or
(b)or
(d) thatassignsfunctionstojudicialofficers,otherthanintermsofthisAct.
CHAPTER2
CONSTITUTIONALCOURT,SUPREMECOURTOFAPPEALANDHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA
4.ConstitutionandseatofConstitutionalCourt.(1)(a)TheConstitutionalCourtconsistsoftheChiefJustice
ofSouthAfrica,theDeputyChiefJusticeofSouthAfricaandnineotherjudgesoftheConstitutionalCourt.
(b)TheseatoftheConstitutionalCourtisinJohannesburg,butwheneveritappearstotheChiefJustice
thatitisexpedientorintheinterestsofjusticetoholditssittingforthehearingofanymatterataplaceelsewhere
thanattheseatoftheCourt,itmayholdsuchsittingatthatplace.
(2)TheDeputyChiefJusticemust
(a) exercisesuchpowersorperformsuchfunctionsoftheChiefJusticeintermsofthisoranyotherlaw
astheChiefJusticemayassigntohimorherand
(b) intheabsenceoftheChiefJustice,oriftheofficeofChiefJusticeisvacant,exercisethepowersor
performthefunctionsoftheChiefJustice,asActingChiefJustice.
5.ConstitutionandseatofSupremeCourtofAppeal.(1)(a)TheSupremeCourtofAppealconsistsof
(i) thePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppeal
(ii) theDeputyPresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealand
(iii) somanyotherjudgesasmaybedeterminedinaccordancewiththeprescribedcriteria,andapproved
bythePresident.
(b) Subjecttosection9(1),theseatoftheSupremeCourtofAppealisinBloemfontein,butwheneverit
appearstothePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealthatitisexpedientorintheinterestsofjusticetoholdits
sittingforthehearingofanymatterataplaceelsewherethanattheseatoftheCourt,itmayholdsuchsittingat
thatplace.
(2)TheDeputyPresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealmust
(a) exercisesuchpowersorperformsuchfunctionsofthePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealin
termsofthisoranyotherlawasthelattermayassigntohimorherand
(b) intheabsenceofthePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppeal,oriftheofficeofPresidentofthe
SupremeCourtofAppealisvacant,performthefunctionsofthePresidentoftheSupremeCourtof
Appeal,asActingPresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppeal.
6.ConstitutionofHighCourtofSouthAfrica.(1)TheHighCourtofSouthAfricaconsistsofthefollowing
Divisions:
(a) EasternCapeDivision,withitsmainseatinGrahamstown.
(b) FreeStateDivision,withitsmainseatinBloemfontein.
(c) GautengDivision,withitsmainseatinPretoria.
(d) KwaZuluNatalDivision,withitsmainseatinPietermaritzburg.
(e) LimpopoDivision,withitsmainseatinPolokwane.
(f) MpumalangaDivision,withitsmainseatinNelspruit.
(g) NorthernCapeDivision,withitsmainseatinKimberley.
(h) NorthWestDivision,withitsmainseatinMahikeng.
(i) WesternCapeDivision,withitsmainseatinCapeTown.
(2)EachDivisionoftheHighCourtconsistsof
(a) aJudgePresidentandoneormoreDeputyJudgesPresident,asdeterminedbythePresident,each
withspecifiedheadquarterswithintheareaunderthejurisdictionofthatDivisionand
(b) somanyotherjudgesasmaybedeterminedinaccordancewiththeprescribedcriteria,andapproved
bythePresident.
(3)(a)TheMinistermust,afterconsultationwiththeJudicialServiceCommission,bynoticeintheGazette,
determinetheareaunderthejurisdictionofaDivision,andmayinthesamemanneramendorwithdrawsucha
notice.
(b)TheareaunderthejurisdictionofaDivisionmaycompriseanypartofoneormoreprovinces.
(c)TheMinistermay,afterconsultationwiththeJudicialServiceCommission,bynoticeintheGazette
establishoneormorelocalseatsforaDivision,inadditiontothemainseatsreferredtoinsubsection(1),and
determinetheareaunderthejurisdictionofsuchalocalseat,andmayinthesamemanneramendorwithdraw
suchanotice.
(d)Thepublicationofanoticereferredtoinparagraph(a)or(c)doesnotaffectanyproceedingswhichare
pendingatthetimeofsuchpublication.
(4)IfaDivisionhasoneormorelocalseats
(a) themainseatofthatDivisionhasconcurrentappealjurisdictionovertheareaofjurisdictionofany
localseatofthatDivision,andtheJudgePresidentoftheDivisionmaydirectthatanappealagainsta
decisionofasinglejudgeorofaMagistrates'Courtwithinthatareaofjurisdictionmaybeheardat
themainseatoftheDivision
(b) theJudgePresidentofthatDivisionmustcompileasinglecourtrollforthatDivisionand
(c) theJudgePresidentofthatDivisionmayassignallthejudgesofthatDivisionwithintheDivisionas
heorshedeemsfit.
(5)IfajudgeofoneDivisionistobetemporarilyassignedtoanotherDivision,suchassignmentmusttake
placebywayofanactingappointmentintermsofsection175(2)oftheConstitution.
(6)(a)Subjecttoparagraph(b),aDeputyJudgePresidentofaDivisionmust
(i) exercisesuchpowersorperformsuchfunctionsoftheJudgePresidentintermsofthisoranyother
lawasthelattermayassigntohimorherand
(ii) intheabsenceoftheJudgePresidentofthatDivision,oriftheofficeoftheJudgePresidentisvacant,
exercisethepowersorperformthefunctionsoftheJudgePresident,astheActingJudgePresidentof
thatDivision.
(b)IfmorethanoneDeputyJudgePresidentisappointedinrespectofaDivision,themostseniorDeputy
JudgePresidentofthatDivisionmustexercisethepowersorperformthefunctionsoftheJudgePresidentinthe
circumstancesreferredtoinparagraph(a)(ii).
(7)WheneveritappearstotheJudgePresidentofaDivisionthatitisexpedientorintheinterestsofjustice
toholdasittingforthehearingofanymatterataplaceelsewherethanattheseatoralocalseatoftheDivision,
heorshemay,afterconsultationwiththeMinister,holdsuchsittingatthatplace.
7.CircuitCourts.(1)TheJudgePresidentofaDivisionmaybynoticeintheGazettewithintheareaunderthe
jurisdictionofthatDivisionestablishcircuitdistrictsfortheadjudicationofcivilorcriminalmatters,andmaybylike
noticealtertheboundariesofanysuchdistrict.
(2)IneachcircuitdistrictofaDivisiontheremustbeheld,atleasttwiceayearandatsuchtimesandplaces
asmaybedeterminedbytheJudgePresidentconcerned,acourtwhichmustbepresidedoverbyajudgeofthat
Division.
(3)Acourtreferredtoinsubsection(2)iscalledacircuitcourtoftheDivisioninquestion.
CHAPTER3
GOVERNANCEANDADMINISTRATIONOFALLCOURTS
8.Judicialmanagementofjudicialfunctions.(1)Forthepurposeofanyconsultationregardinganymatter
referredtointhissection,theChiefJusticemayconveneanyforumofjudicialofficersthatheorshedeems
appropriate.
(2)TheChiefJustice,astheheadofthejudiciaryascontemplatedinsection165(6) o f theConstitution,
exercisesresponsibilityovertheestablishmentandmonitoringofnormsandstandardsfortheexerciseofthe
judicialfunctionsofallcourts.
(3)TheChiefJusticemay,subjecttosubsection(5),issuewrittenprotocolsordirectives,orgiveguidanceor
advice,tojudicialofficers
(a) inrespectofnormsandstandardsfortheperformanceofthejudicialfunctionsascontemplatedin
subsection(6)and
(b) regardinganymatteraffectingthedignity,accessibility,effectiveness,efficiencyorfunctioningofthe
courts.
(4)(a)Anyfunctionoranypowerintermsofthissection,vestingintheChiefJusticeoranyotherheadof
court,maybedelegatedtoanyotherjudicialofficerofthecourtinquestion.
(b)Themanagementofthejudicialfunctionsofeachcourtistheresponsibilityoftheheadofthatcourt.
(c)Subjecttosubsections(2) a n d (3),theJudgePresidentofaDivisionisalsoresponsiblefortheco
ordinationofthejudicialfunctionsofallMagistrates'CourtsfallingwithinthejurisdictionofthatDivision.
(5)Anyprotocolordirectiveintermsofsubsection(3)
(a) mayonlybeissuedbytheChiefJusticeifitenjoysthemajoritysupportoftheheadsofthosecourts
onwhichitwouldbeapplicableand
(b) mustbepublishedintheGazette.
(6)Thejudicialfunctionsreferredtoinsubsection(2)andsubsection(4)(b)includethe
(a) determinationofsittingsofthespecificcourts
(b) assignmentofjudicialofficerstosittings
(c) assignmentofcasesandotherjudicialdutiestojudicialofficers
(d) determinationofthesittingschedulesandplacesofsittingsforjudicialofficers
(e) managementofprocedurestobeadheredtoinrespectof
(i) caseflowmanagement
(ii) thefinalisationofanymatterbeforeajudicialofficer,includinganyoutstandingjudgment,
decisionororderand
(iii) recessesofSuperiorCourts.
(7)TheChiefJusticemaydesignateanyjudgetoassisthimorherinhisorherjudicialleadershipfunctions.
9.Accesstocourts,recessperiodsandattendanceatcourts.(1)AllSuperiorCourts
(a) mustbeopentothepubliceverybusinessdayand
(b) mayperformthefunctionsofthecourtonanySaturday,Sundayorpublicholidayasmayberequired
fromtimetotime.
(2)SuperiorCourtsmayhavesuchrecessperiodsasmaybedeterminedbytheChiefJusticeinconsultation
withtheheadsofcourtandtheMinisterinordertoenablejudgestodoresearchandtoattendtooutstandingor
prospectivejudicialfunctionsthatmaybeassignedtothem.
(3)Duringeachrecessperiod,theheadofeachcourtmustensurethatanadequatenumberofjudgesare
availableinthatcourttodealwithanyjudicialfunctionsthatmayberequired,intheinterestsofjustice,tobedealt
withduringthatrecessperiod.
(4)Subjecttosubsections(1)and(2),theheadofeachSuperiorCourtisresponsibleto
(a) ensurethatsufficientjudgesofthatcourtareavailabletoconductthebusinessofthecourtatall
timesthatthecourtisopenforbusiness
(b) issuedirectionstothejudgesofthatcourtwithrespecttotheirattendanceatthecourtand
absencesfromthecourtduringrecessperiods
(c) approveanyextraordinaryabsenceofajudgefromthecourtand
(d) keeparegister,intheprescribedmannerandform,ofvacationperiodsallocatedto,orextraordinary
absenceapprovedfor,ajudgeofthatcourt.
10.Finances.ExpenditureinconnectionwiththeadministrationandfunctioningoftheSuperiorCourtsmust
bedefrayedfrommoneysappropriatedbyParliament.
11.Appointmentofofficersandstaff.(1)(a)Subjecttoparagraph(b),theMinistermustappointforthe
ConstitutionalCourt,theSupremeCourtofAppealandeachDivisionacourtmanager,oneormoreassistantcourt
managers,aregistrar,assistantregistrarsandotherofficersandstaffwhenevertheymayberequiredforthe
administrationofjusticeortheexecutionofthepowersandauthoritiesofthesaidcourt.
(b)AnyappointmentbytheMinisterintermsofparagraph(a)mustbemade
(i) inconsultationwiththeheadofcourtand
(ii) inaccordancewiththelawsgoverningthepublicservice.
(c)Acourtmanageristheseniorexecutiveofficerofthecourtwhereheorshehasbeenappointed,and
exercisesadministrativecontrolovertheotherpersonsreferredtoinparagraph(a),and,underthecontroland
directionoftheheadofcourtconcernedperformssuchotherfunctionsasmaybedeterminedbytheSecretary
GeneralandtheChiefJustice.
(2)Wheneverbyreasonofabsenceorincapacityanycourtmanager,registrarorassistantregistraris
unabletocarryoutthefunctionsofhisorheroffice,orifhisorherofficebecomesvacant,theMinistermay,after
consultationwiththeheadofcourtconcerned,authoriseanyothercompetentofficerinthepublicservicetoactin
theplaceoftheabsentorincapacitatedofficerduringsuchabsenceorincapacityortoactinthevacantofficeuntil
thevacancyisfilled.
(3)Anypersonappointedundersubsection(1)mayholdmorethanoneoftheofficesmentionedinthat
subsectionsimultaneously.
(4)TheMinistermaydelegateanyofthepowersvestedinhimorherunderthissectiontotheSecretary
General.
CHAPTER4
MANNEROFARRIVINGATDECISIONSBYSUPERIORCOURTS
12.MannerofarrivingatdecisionsbyConstitutionalCourt.(1)Inaccordancewithsection167(2)ofthe
Constitution,anymatterbeforetheConstitutionalCourtmustbeheardbyatleasteightjudges.
(2)If,atanystageafterahearinghascommenced,anyjudgeoftheConstitutionalCourtisabsentor
unabletoperformhisorherfunctions,orifavacancyamongthemembersofthecourtarises,and
(a) theremainingmembersofthecourtarenotlessthaneightinnumber
(i) suchhearingmustcontinuebeforetheremainingjudgesofthecourtand
(ii) thedecisionofthemajorityoftheremainingjudgesofthecourtshall,ifthatmajorityisalsoa
majorityofthejudgesofthecourtbeforewhomthehearingcommenced,bethedecisionofthe
courtor
(b) theremainingmembersofthecourtarefewerthaneightinnumber,theproceedingsmustbe
stoppedandcommenceddenovo.
(3)Nojudgemaysitatthehearingofanappealagainstajudgmentorordergiveninacasewhichwas
heardbeforehimorher.
13.MannerofarrivingatdecisionsbySupremeCourtofAppeal.(1)ProceedingsoftheSupremeCourtof
Appealmustordinarilybepresidedoverbyfivejudges,butthePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealmay
(a) directthatanappealinacriminalorcivilmatterbeheardbeforeacourtconsistingofthreejudgesor
(b) wheneveritappearstohimorherthatanymattershouldinviewofitsimportancebeheardbeforea
courtconsistingofalargernumberofjudges,directthatthematterbeheardbeforeacourt
consistingofsomanyjudgesasheorshemaydetermine.
(2)(a)ThejudgmentofthemajorityofthejudgespresidingatproceedingsbeforetheSupremeCourtof
Appealshallbethejudgmentofthecourt.
(b)Wherethereisnojudgmenttowhichamajorityofsuchjudgesagree,thehearingmustbeadjourned
andcommenceddenovobeforeanewcourtconstitutedinsuchmannerasthePresidentoftheSupremeCourtof
Appealmaydetermine.
(3)If,atanystageafterthehearingofanappealhascommenced,ajudgeoftheSupremeCourtofAppeal
isabsentorunabletoperformhisorherfunctions,orifavacancyamongthemembersofthecourtarises
(a) thehearingmust,wheretheremainingjudgesconstituteamajorityofthejudgesbeforewhomthe
hearingwascommenced,proceedbeforetheremainingjudges,andthedecisionofamajorityofthe
remainingjudgeswhoareinagreementshall,ifthatmajorityisalsoamajorityofthejudgesbefore
whomthehearingwascommenced,bethedecisionofthecourtor
(b) inanyothercase,theappealmustbehearddenovo,unlessallthepartiestotheproceedingsagree
unconditionallyinwritingtoacceptthedecisionofthemajorityoftheremainingjudgesor,ifonlyone
judgeremains,thedecisionofthatjudgeasthedecisionofthecourt.
(4)TwoormorejudgesoftheSupremeCourtofAppeal,designatedbythePresidentoftheSupremeCourt
ofAppeal,havejurisdictiontohearanddetermineapplicationsforinterlocutoryrelief,includingapplicationsfor
condonationandforleavetoproceedinformapauperis,inchambers.
14.MannerofarrivingatdecisionsbyDivisions.(1)(a)SaveasprovidedforinthisActoranyotherlaw,a
courtofaDivisionmustbeconstitutedbeforeasinglejudgewhensittingasacourtoffirstinstanceforthehearing
ofanycivilmatter,buttheJudgePresidentor,intheabsenceofboththeJudgePresidentandtheDeputyJudge
President,thesenioravailablejudge,mayatanytimedirectthatanymatterbeheardbyacourtconsistingofnot
morethanthreejudges,asheorshemaydetermine.
(b)AsinglejudgeofaDivisionmay,inconsultationwiththeJudgePresidentor,intheabsenceofboththe
JudgePresidentandtheDeputyJudgePresident,thesenioravailablejudge,atanytimediscontinuethehearingof
anycivilmatterwhichisbeingheardbeforehimorherandreferitforhearingtothefullcourtofthatDivisionas
contemplatedinparagraph(a).
(2)Forthehearingofanycriminalcaseasacourtoffirstinstance,acourtofaDivisionmustbeconstituted
inthemannerprescribedintheapplicablelawrelatingtoprocedureincriminalmatters.
(3)Exceptwhereitisintermsofanylawrequiredorpermittedtobeotherwiseconstituted,acourtofa
Divisionmustbeconstitutedbeforetwojudgesforthehearingofanycivilorcriminalappeal:Providedthatthe
JudgePresidentor,intheabsenceofboththeJudgePresidentandtheDeputyJudgePresident,thesenior
availablejudge,mayintheeventofthejudgeshearingsuchappealnotbeinginagreement,atanytimebeforea
judgmentishandeddowninsuchappeal,directthatathirdjudgebeaddedtohearthatappeal.
(4)(a)SaveasotherwiseprovidedforinthisActoranyotherlaw,thedecisionofthemajorityofthejudges
ofafullcourtofaDivisionisthedecisionofthecourt.
(b)Wherethemajorityofthejudgesofanysuchcourtarenotinagreement,thehearingmustbe
adjournedandcommenceddenovobeforeacourtconsistingofthreeotherjudges.
(5)If,atanystageduringthehearingofanymatterbyafullcourt,anyjudgeofsuchcourtisabsentor
unabletoperformhisorherfunctions,orifavacancyamongthemembersofthecourtarises,thathearingmust
(a) iftheremainingjudgesconstituteamajorityofthejudgesbeforewhomitwascommenced,proceed
beforesuchremainingjudgesor
(b) iftheremainingjudgesdonotconstitutesuchamajority,orifonlyonejudgeremains,becommenced
denovo,unlessallthepartiestotheproceedingsagreeunconditionallyinwritingtoacceptthe
decisionofthemajorityoftheremainingjudgesoroftheoneremainingjudgeasthedecisionofthe
court.
(6)Theprovisionsofsubsection(4)apply,withthechangesrequiredbythecontext,wheneverinthe
circumstancessetoutinsubsection(5)ahearingproceedsbeforetwoormorejudges.
(7)Duringanyrecessperiod,onejudgedesignatedbytheJudgePresidentshall,notwithstandinganything
containedinthisActoranyotherlaw,butsubjecttosubsection(3),exerciseallthepowers,jurisdictionand
authorityofaDivision.
CHAPTER5
ORDERSOFCONSTITUTIONALINVALIDITY,APPEALSANDSETTLEMENTOFCONFLICTINGDECISIONS
15.ReferraloforderofconstitutionalinvaliditytoConstitutionalCourt.(1)(a)WhenevertheSupreme
CourtofAppeal,aDivisionoftheHighCourtoranycompetentcourtdeclaresanActofParliament,aprovincialAct
orconductofthePresidentinvalidascontemplatedinsection172(2)(a)oftheConstitution,thatcourtmust,in
accordancewiththerules,refertheorderofconstitutionalinvaliditytotheConstitutionalCourtforconfirmation.
(b)Wheneveranypersonororganofstatewithasufficientinterestappealsorappliesdirectlytothe
ConstitutionalCourttoconfirmorvaryanorderofconstitutionalinvaliditybyacourt,ascontemplatedinsection
172(2)(d)oftheConstitution,theCourtmustdealwiththematterinaccordancewiththerules.
(2)IfrequestedbytheChiefJusticetodoso,theMinistermustappointcounseltopresentargumenttothe
ConstitutionalCourtinrespectofanymatterreferredtoinsubsection(1).
16.Appealsgenerally.(1)Subjecttosection15(1),theConstitutionandanyotherlaw
(a) anappealagainstanydecisionofaDivisionasacourtoffirstinstancelies,uponleavehavingbeen
granted
(i) ifthecourtconsistedofasinglejudge,eithertotheSupremeCourtofAppealortoafullcourtof
thatDivision,dependingonthedirectionissuedintermsofsection17(6)or
(ii) ifthecourtconsistedofmorethanonejudge,totheSupremeCourtofAppeal
(b) anappealagainstanydecisionofaDivisiononappealtoit,liestotheSupremeCourtofAppealupon
specialleavehavingbeengrantedbytheSupremeCourtofAppealand
(c) anappealagainstanydecisionofacourtofastatussimilartotheHighCourt,liestotheSupreme
CourtofAppealuponleavehavingbeengrantedbythatcourtortheSupremeCourtofAppeal,and
theprovisionsofsection17applywiththechangesrequiredbythecontext.
(2)(a)(i)Whenatthehearingofanappealtheissuesareofsuchanaturethatthedecisionsoughtwill
havenopracticaleffectorresult,theappealmaybedismissedonthisgroundalone.
(ii)Saveunderexceptionalcircumstances,thequestionwhetherthedecisionwouldhavenopractical
effectorresultistobedeterminedwithoutreferencetoanyconsiderationofcosts.
(b)If,atanytimepriortothehearingofanappeal,thePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealorthe
JudgePresidentorthejudgepresiding,asthecasemaybe,isprimafacieoftheviewthatitwouldbeappropriate
todismisstheappealonthegroundsetoutinparagraph(a),heorshemustcallforwrittenrepresentationsfrom
therespectivepartiesastowhytheappealshouldnotbesodismissed.
(c)Uponreceiptoftherepresentationsor,failingwhich,attheexpiryofthetimedeterminedfortheir
lodging,thePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealortheJudgePresident,asthecasemaybe,mustreferthe
mattertothreejudgesfortheirconsideration.
(d)Thejudgesconsideringthemattermayorderthatthequestionwhethertheappealshouldbe
dismissedonthegroundsetoutinparagraph(a)bearguedbeforethemataplaceandtimeappointed,andmay,
whetherornottheyhavesoordered
(i) orderthattheappealbedismissed,withorwithoutanorderastothecostsincurredinanyofthe
courtsbeloworinrespectofthecostsofappeal,includingthecostsinrespectofthepreparationand
lodgingofthewrittenrepresentationsor
(ii) orderthattheappealproceedintheordinarycourse.
(3)Notwithstandinganyotherlaw,noappealliesfromanyjudgmentororderinproceedingsinconnection
withanapplication
(a) byonespouseagainsttheotherformaintenancependentelite
(b) forcontributiontowardsthecostsofapendingmatrimonialaction
(c) fortheinterimcustodyofachildwhenamatrimonialactionbetweenhisorherparentsispendingor
isabouttobeinstitutedor
(d) byoneparentagainsttheotherforinterimaccesstoachildwhenamatrimonialactionbetweenthe
parentsispendingorabouttobeinstituted.
17.Leavetoappeal.(1)Leavetoappealmayonlybegivenwherethejudgeorjudgesconcernedareofthe
opinionthat
(a) (i) theappealwouldhaveareasonableprospectofsuccessor
(ii) thereissomeothercompellingreasonwhytheappealshouldbeheard,includingconflicting
judgmentsonthematterunderconsideration
(b) thedecisionsoughtonappealdoesnotfallwithintheambitofsection16(2)(a)and
(c) wherethedecisionsoughttobeappealeddoesnotdisposeofalltheissuesinthecase,theappeal
wouldleadtoajustandpromptresolutionoftherealissuesbetweentheparties.
(2)(a)Leavetoappealmaybegrantedbythejudgeorjudgesagainstwhosedecisionanappealistobe
madeor,ifnotreadilyavailable,byanyotherjudgeorjudgesofthesamecourtorDivision.
(b)Ifleavetoappealintermsofparagraph(a)isrefused,itmaybegrantedbytheSupremeCourtof
Appealonapplicationfiledwiththeregistrarofthatcourtwithinonemonthaftersuchrefusal,orsuchlongerperiod
asmayongoodcausebeallowed,andtheSupremeCourtofAppealmayvaryanyorderastocostsmadebythe
judgeorjudgesconcernedinrefusingleave.
(c)Anapplicationreferredtoinparagraph(b)mustbeconsideredbytwojudgesoftheSupremeCourtof
AppealdesignatedbythePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealand,inthecaseofadifferenceofopinion,also
bythePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealoranyotherjudgeoftheSupremeCourtofAppeallikewise
designated.
(d)Thejudgesconsideringanapplicationreferredtoinparagraph(b)maydisposeoftheapplication
withoutthehearingoforalargument,butmay,iftheyareoftheopinionthatthecircumstancessorequire,order
thatitbearguedbeforethematatimeandplaceappointed,andmay,whetherornottheyhavesoordered,grant
orrefusetheapplicationorreferittothecourtforconsideration.
(e)Whereanapplicationhasbeenreferredtothecourtintermsofparagraph(d),thecourtmay
thereupongrantorrefuseit.
(f)Thedecisionofthemajorityofthejudgesconsideringanapplicationreferredtoinparagraph(b),or
thedecisionofthecourt,asthecasemaybe,tograntorrefusetheapplicationshallbefinal:Providedthatthe
PresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealmayinexceptionalcircumstances,whetherofhisorherownaccordoron
applicationfiledwithinonemonthofthedecision,referthedecisiontothecourtforreconsiderationand,if
necessary,variation.
(3)Anapplicationforspecialleavetoappealundersection16(1)(b)maybegrantedbytheSupremeCourt
ofAppealonapplicationfiledwiththeregistrarofthatcourtwithinonemonthafterthedecisionsoughttobe
appealedagainst,orsuchlongerperiodasmayongoodcausebeallowed,andtheprovisionsofsubsection(2)(c)
to(f)shallapplywiththechangesrequiredbythecontext.
(4)Thepowertograntleavetoappeal
(a) isnotlimitedbyreasononlyofthefactthatthematterindisputeisincapableofbeingvaluedin
moneyand
(b) issubjecttotheprovisionsofanyotherlawwhichspecificallylimitsitorspecificallygrantsorlimits
anyrightofappeal.
(5)Anyleavetoappealmaybegrantedsubjecttosuchconditionsasthecourtconcernedmaydetermine,
includingacondition
(a) limitingtheissuesonappealor
(b) thattheappellantpaythecostsoftheappeal.
(6)(a)Ifleaveisgrantedundersubsection(2)(a)or(b)toappealagainstadecisionofaDivisionasacourt
offirstinstanceconsistingofasinglejudge,thejudgeorjudgesgrantingleavemustdirectthattheappealbe
heardbyafullcourtofthatDivision,unlesstheyconsider
(i) thatthedecisiontobeappealedinvolvesaquestionoflawofimportance,whetherbecauseofits
generalapplicationorotherwise,orinrespectofwhichadecisionoftheSupremeCourtofAppealis
requiredtoresolvedifferencesofopinionor
(ii) thattheadministrationofjustice,eithergenerallyorintheparticularcase,requiresconsiderationby
theSupremeCourtofAppealofthedecision,inwhichcasetheymustdirectthattheappealbeheard
bytheSupremeCourtofAppeal.
(b)AnydirectionbythecourtofaDivisionintermsofparagraph(a),maybesetasidebytheSupreme
CourtofAppealofitsownaccord,oronapplicationbyanyinterestedpartyfiledwiththeregistrarwithinonemonth
afterthedirectionwasgiven,orsuchlongerperiodasmayongoodcausebeallowed,andmaybereplacedby
anotherdirectionintermsofparagraph(a).
(7)Subsection(2)(c) t o ( f )applywiththechangesrequiredbythecontexttoanyapplicationtothe
SupremeCourtofAppealrelatingtoanissueconnectedwithanappeal.
18.Suspensionofdecisionpendingappeal.(1)Subjecttosubsections(2) a n d (3),andunlessthecourt
underexceptionalcircumstancesordersotherwise,theoperationandexecutionofadecisionwhichisthesubjectof
anapplicationforleavetoappealorofanappeal,issuspendedpendingthedecisionoftheapplicationorappeal.
(2)Subjecttosubsection(3),unlessthecourtunderexceptionalcircumstancesordersotherwise,the
operationandexecutionofadecisionthatisaninterlocutoryordernothavingtheeffectofafinaljudgment,which
isthesubjectofanapplicationforleavetoappealorofanappeal,isnotsuspendedpendingthedecisionofthe
applicationorappeal.
(3)Acourtmayonlyorderotherwiseascontemplatedinsubsection(1)or(2),ifthepartywhoappliedtothe
courttoorderotherwise,inadditionprovesonabalanceofprobabilitiesthatheorshewillsufferirreparableharm
ifthecourtdoesnotsoorderandthattheotherpartywillnotsufferirreparableharmifthecourtsoorders.
(4)Ifacourtordersotherwise,ascontemplatedinsubsection(1)
(i) thecourtmustimmediatelyrecorditsreasonsfordoingso
(ii) theaggrievedpartyhasanautomaticrightofappealtothenexthighestcourt
(iii) thecourthearingsuchanappealmustdealwithitasamatterofextremeurgencyand
(iv) suchorderwillbeautomaticallysuspended,pendingtheoutcomeofsuchappeal.
(5)Forthepurposesofsubsections(1)and(2),adecisionbecomesthesubjectofanapplicationforleaveto
appealorofanappeal,assoonasanapplicationforleavetoappealoranoticeofappealislodgedwiththe
registrarintermsoftherules.
19.Powersofcourtonhearingofappeals.TheSupremeCourtofAppealoraDivisionexercisingappeal
jurisdictionmay,inadditiontoanypowerasmayspecificallybeprovidedforinanyotherlaw
(a) disposeofanappealwithoutthehearingoforalargument
(b) receivefurtherevidence
(c) remitthecasetothecourtoffirstinstance,ortothecourtwhosedecisionisthesubjectofthe
appeal,forfurtherhearing,withsuchinstructionsasregardsthetakingoffurtherevidenceor
otherwiseastheSupremeCourtofAppealortheDivisiondeemsnecessaryor
(d) confirm,amendorsetasidethedecisionwhichisthesubjectoftheappealandrenderanydecision
whichthecircumstancesmayrequire.
20.Settlementofconflictingdecisionsincivilcases.Wheneveradecisiononaquestionoflawisgivenbya
courtofaDivisionwhichisinconflictwithadecisiononthesamequestionoflawgivenbyacourtofanyother
Division,theMinistermaysubmitsuchconflictingdecisionstotheChiefJustice,whomustcausethemattertobe
arguedbeforetheConstitutionalCourtortheSupremeCourtofAppeal,asthecasemaybe,inordertodetermine
thesaidquestionoflawforguidance.
CHAPTER6
PROVISIONSAPPLICABLETOHIGHCOURTONLY
21.PersonsoverwhomandmattersinrelationtowhichDivisionshavejurisdiction.(1)ADivisionhas
jurisdictionoverallpersonsresidingorbeingin,andinrelationtoallcausesarisingandalloffencestriablewithin,
itsareaofjurisdictionandallothermattersofwhichitmayaccordingtolawtakecognisance,andhasthepower
(a) tohearanddetermineappealsfromallMagistrates'Courtswithinitsareaofjurisdiction
(b) toreviewtheproceedingsofallsuchcourts
(c) initsdiscretion,andattheinstanceofanyinterestedperson,toenquireintoanddetermineany
existing,futureorcontingentrightorobligation,notwithstandingthatsuchpersoncannotclaimany
reliefconsequentialuponthedetermination.
(2)ADivisionalsohasjurisdictionoveranypersonresidingorbeingoutsideitsareaofjurisdictionwhois
joinedasapartytoanycauseinrelationtowhichsuchcourthasjurisdictionorwhointermsofathirdpartynotice
becomesapartytosuchacause,ifthesaidpersonresidesoriswithintheareaofjurisdictionofanyotherDivision.
(3)Subjecttosection28andthepowersgrantedundersection4oftheAdmiraltyJurisdictionRegulationAct,
1983(ActNo.105of1983),anyDivisionmayissueanorderforattachmentofpropertytoconfirmjurisdiction.
22.GroundsforreviewofproceedingsofMagistrates'Court.(1)Thegroundsuponwhichtheproceedings
ofanyMagistrates'CourtmaybebroughtunderreviewbeforeacourtofaDivisionare
(a) absenceofjurisdictiononthepartofthecourt
(b) interestinthecause,bias,maliceorcorruptiononthepartofthepresidingjudicialofficer
(c) grossirregularityintheproceedingsand
(d) theadmissionofinadmissibleorincompetentevidenceortherejectionofadmissibleorcompetent
evidence.
(2)Thissectiondoesnotaffecttheprovisionsofanyotherlawrelatingtothereviewofproceedingsin
Magistrates'Courts.
23.Judgmentbydefault.AjudgmentbydefaultmaybegrantedandenteredbytheregistrarofaDivisionin
themannerandinthecircumstancesprescribedintherules,andajudgmentsoenteredisdeemedtobea
judgmentofacourtoftheDivision.
24.Timeallowedforappearance.Thetimeallowedforenteringanappearancetoacivilsummonsserved
outsidetheareaofjurisdictionoftheDivisioninwhichitwasissued,shallbenotlessthan
(a) onemonthifthesummonsistobeservedataplacemorethan150kilometresfromthecourtoutof
whichitwasissuedand
(b) twoweeksinanyothercase.
25.Circumstancesinwhichsecurityforcostsshallnotberequired.Ifaplaintiffincivilproceedingsina
DivisionresideswithintheRepublic,butoutsidetheareaofjurisdictionofthatDivision,heorsheshallnotby
reasononlyofthatfactberequiredtogivesecurityforcostsinthoseproceedings.
26.DisposalofrecordsandexecutionofjudgmentsofCircuitCourts.(1)Withinonemonthafterthe
terminationofthesittingsofanyCircuitCourt,theregistrarthereofmust,subjecttoanydirectionsofthepresiding
judgeorjudges,transmitallrecordsinconnectionwiththeproceedingsinthatcourttotheregistrarofthe
SupremeCourtofAppealortheDivisionconcerned,asthecasemaybe,tobefiledasrecordsofthatCourtor
Division.
(2)Anyjudgment,orderorsentenceofaCircuitCourtmay,subjecttoanyapplicablerulesforthetimebeing
inforce,becarriedintoexecutionbymeansofprocessoftheSupremeCourtofAppealortheDivisionconcerned,as
thecasemaybe.
27.RemovalofproceedingsfromoneDivisiontoanotherorfromoneseattoanotherinsameDivision.
(1)IfanyproceedingshavebeeninstitutedinaDivisionorataseatofaDivision,anditappearstothecourtthat
suchproceedings
(a) shouldhavebeeninstitutedinanotherDivisionoratanotherseatofthatDivisionor
(b) wouldbemoreconvenientlyormoreappropriatelyheardordetermined
(i) atanotherseatofthatDivisionor
(ii) byanotherDivision,
thatcourtmay,uponapplicationbyanypartytheretoandafterhearingallotherpartiesthereto,ordersuch
proceedingstoberemovedtothatotherDivisionorseat,asthecasemaybe.
(2)Anorderforremovalundersubsection(1)mustbetransmittedtotheregistrarofthecourttowhichthe
removalisordered,anduponthereceiptofsuchorderthatcourtmayhearanddeterminetheproceedingsin
question.
28.ProhibitiononattachmenttofoundjurisdictionwithinRepublic.Noattachmentofpropertytofound
jurisdictionshallbeorderedbyaDivisionagainstapersonwhoisresidentintheRepublic.
CHAPTER7
RULESOFCOURT
29.RulesofConstitutionalCourt.(1)TheChiefJustice,afterconsultationwiththeMinister,makesrules
relatingtothemannerinwhichtheConstitutionalCourtmaybeengagedinanymatter,includingthematters
referredtoinsection172oftheConstitution,andallmattersrelatingtotheproceedingsofandbeforetheCourt.
(2)TheMinistermusttableeveryruleandeveryamendmentorrepealthereofinParliamentatleast30days
beforethepublicationthereof.
(3)Therulesmust,whenitisintheinterestsofjusticeandwiththeleaveoftheCourt,allowaperson
(a) tobringamatterdirectlytotheCourtor
(b) toappealdirectlytotheCourtfromanyothercourt.
(Dateofcommencementofs.29tobeproclaimed.)
30.RulesofSupremeCourtofAppealandHighCourt.(1)RulesfortheSupremeCourtofAppeal,theHigh
CourtandtheMagistrates'CourtsaremadeinaccordancewiththeRulesBoardforCourtsofLawAct,1985(ActNo.
107of1985).
(2)Theprovisionsofsection29(2)and(3)alsoapplytorulesreferredtoinsubsection(1).
CHAPTER8
GENERALPROVISIONSAPPLICABLETOALLSUPERIORCOURTS
Part1
Natureofcourts
31.Natureofcourtsandseals.(1)EverySuperiorCourtisacourtofrecord.
(2)EverySuperiorCourtmusthaveforuse,asoccasionmayrequire,asealofsuchdesignasmaybe
prescribedbythePresidentbyproclamationintheGazette.
(3)ThesealofaSuperiorCourtmustbekeptinthecustodyoftheRegistrar.
32.Proceedingstobecarriedoninopencourt.SaveasisotherwiseprovidedforinthisActoranyother
law,allproceedingsinanySuperiorCourtmust,exceptinsofarasanysuchcourtmayinspecialcasesotherwise
direct,becarriedoninopencourt.
33.Morethanonecourtmaysitatsametime.TheSupremeCourtofAppealandanyDivisionmayatany
timesitinsomanycourtsconstitutedinthemannerprovidedforinthisActoranyotherapplicablelawasthe
availablejudgesmayallow.
Part2
Adducingofevidenceandproceduralmatters
34.Certifiedcopiesofcourtrecordsadmissibleasevidence.Wheneverajudgment,orderorotherrecord
ofanySuperiorCourtisrequiredtobeprovedorinspectedorreferredtoinanymanner,acopyofsuchjudgment,
orderorotherrecorddulycertifiedassuchbytheregistrarofthatcourtunderitssealshallbeprimafacieevidence
thereofwithoutproofoftheauthenticityofsuchregistrar'ssignature.
35.Mannerofsecuringattendanceofwitnessesorproductionofanydocumentorthinginproceedings
andpenaltiesforfailure.(1)ApartytoproceedingsbeforeanySuperiorCourtinwhichtheattendanceof
witnessesortheproductionofanydocumentorthingisrequired,mayprocuretheattendanceofanywitnessor
theproductionofanydocumentorthinginthemannerprovidedforintherulesofthatcourt.
(2)Wheneveranypersonsubpoenaedtoattendanyproceedingsasawitnessortoproduceanydocument
orthing
(a) failswithoutreasonableexcusetoobeythesubpoenaanditappearsfromthereturnoftheperson
whoservedsuchsubpoena,orfromevidencegivenunderoath,that
(i) thesubpoenawasserveduponthepersontowhomitisdirectedandthathisorherreasonable
expensescalculatedinaccordancewiththetariffframedundersection37(1)havebeenpaidor
offeredtohimorheror
(ii) heorsheisevadingserviceor
(b) withoutleaveofthecourtfailstoremaininattendance,
thecourtconcernedmayissueawarrantdirectingthatheorshebearrestedandbroughtbeforethecourtata
timeandplacestatedinthewarrantorassoonthereafteraspossible.
(3)Apersonarrestedunderanysuchwarrantmaybedetainedthereunderinanyprisonorotherplaceof
detentionorinthecustodyofthepersonwhoisinchargeofhimorher,withaviewtosecuringhisorherpresence
asawitnessorproductionofanydocumentorthingattheproceedingsconcerned:Providedthatanyjudgeofthe
courtconcernedmayreleasehimorheronarecognisancewithorwithoutsuretiestoattendasawitnessorto
produceanydocumentorthingasrequired.
(4)Anypersonsubpoenaedtoattendanyproceedingsasawitnessortoproduceanydocumentorthing
whofailswithoutreasonableexcusetoobeysuchsubpoena,isguiltyofanoffenceandliableuponconvictiontoa
fineortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingthreemonths.
(5)Ifapersonwhohasenteredintoanyrecognisanceintermsofsubsection(3)toattendsuchproceedings
asawitnessortoproduceanydocumentorthingfailswithoutreasonableexcusesotoattendortoproducesuch
documentorthing,heorsheforfeitshisorherrecognisanceandisguiltyofanoffenceandliableuponconvictionto
afineortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingthreemonths.
36.Mannerinwhichwitnessmaybedealtwithonrefusaltogiveevidenceorproducedocuments.
(1)Wheneveranypersonwhoappearseitherinobediencetoasubpoenaorbyvirtueofawarrantissuedunder
section35orwhoispresentandisverballyrequiredbytheSuperiorCourtconcernedtogiveevidenceinany
proceedings
(a) refusestotakeanoathortomakeanaffirmation
(b) havingtakenanoathorhavingmadeanaffirmation,refusestoanswersuchquestionsasareputto
himorheror
(c) refusesorfailstoproduceanydocumentorthingwhichheorsheisrequiredtoproduce,
withoutanyjustexcuseforsuchrefusalorfailure,thecourtmayadjourntheproceedingsforanyperiodnot
exceedingeightdaysandmay,inthemeantime,bywarrantcommitthepersonsorefusingorfailingtoprison
unlessthepersonconsentstodowhatisrequiredofhimorherbeforeheorsheissocommittedtoprison.
(2)Ifanypersonreferredtoinsubsection(1)againrefusesattheresumedhearingoftheproceedingstodo
whatissorequiredofhimorher,thecourtmayagainadjourntheproceedingsandcommithimorherforalike
periodandsoagainfromtimetotimeuntilsuchpersonconsentstodowhatisrequiredofhimorher.
(3)Nothingcontainedinthissectionpreventsthecourtfromgivingjudgmentinanymatterorotherwise
disposingoftheproceedingsaccordingtoanyothersufficientevidencetaken.
(4)Nopersonisboundtoproduceanydocumentorthingnotspecifiedorotherwisesufficientlydescribedin
thesubpoenaunlessheorsheactuallyhasitincourt.
(5)Whenasubpoenaisissuedtoprocuretheattendanceofanypersonasawitnessortoproduceany
book,paperordocumentinanyproceedings,anditappearsthat
(a) heorsheisunabletogiveanyevidenceortoproduceanybook,paperordocumentwhichwouldbe
relevanttoanyissueinsuchproceedingsor
(b) suchbook,paperordocumentcouldproperlybeproducedbysomeotherpersonor
(c) tocompelhimorhertoattendwouldbeanabuseoftheprocessofthecourt,
anyjudgeofthecourtconcernedmay,notwithstandinganythingcontainedinthissection,afterreasonablenotice
bytheRegistrartothepartywhosuedoutthesubpoenaandafterhearingthatpartyinchambersifheorshe
appears,makeanordercancellingsuchsubpoena.
37.Witnessfees.(1)TheMinistermay,inconsultationwiththeMinisterofFinance,bynoticeintheGazette
prescribeatariffofallowanceswhichmustbepaidtoawitnessincivilproceedingsortoanypersonwhoisto
accompanyanysuchwitnessonaccountoftheyouthorinfirmityduetooldageoranydisabilityofsuchwitness.
(2)Suchnoticemaydifferentiatebetweenpersonsaccordingto
(a) thedistanceswhichtheyhavetotraveltoattendthecourttowhichtheyaresummonedor
subpoenaedor
(b) theirprofessions,callingsoroccupations,
andmayempowersuchofficersintheserviceoftheStateasmaybespecifiedthereintoorderpaymentof
allowancesinaccordancewithahighertariffthanthetariffsoprescribedincaseswherepaymentofallowancesin
accordancewiththeprescribedtariffmaycauseunduehardship.
(3)Notwithstandinganyotherlaw,aSuperiorCourtmayorderthatnoallowancesoronlyaportionofthe
allowancesprescribedshallbepaidtoanywitness.
38.Referenceofparticularmattersforinvestigationbyreferee.(1)TheConstitutionalCourtand,inany
civilproceedings,anyDivisionmay,withtheconsentoftheparties,refer
(a) anymatterwhichrequiresextensiveexaminationofdocumentsorascientific,technicalorlocal
investigationwhichintheopinionofthecourtcannotbeconvenientlyconductedbyitor
(b) anymatterwhichrelateswhollyorinparttoaccountsor
(c) anyothermatterarisinginsuchproceedings,
forenquiryandreporttoarefereeappointedbytheparties,andthecourtmayadoptthereportofanysuch
referee,eitherwhollyorinpart,andeitherwithorwithoutmodifications,ormayremitsuchreportforfurther
enquiryorreportorconsiderationbysuchreferee,ormakesuchotherorderinregardtheretoasmaybenecessary
ordesirable.
(2)Anysuchreportoranypartthereofwhichisadoptedbythecourt,whetherwithorwithoutmodifications,
shallhaveeffectasifitwereafindingbythecourtintheproceedingsinquestion.
(3)Anysuchrefereeshallforthepurposeofsuchenquiryhavesuchpowersandmustconducttheenquiryin
suchmannerasmaybeprescribedbyaspecialorderofthecourtorbytherulesofthecourt.
(4)Forthepurposeofprocuringtheattendanceofanywitness(includinganywitnessdetainedincustody
underanylaw)andtheproductionofanydocumentorthingbeforeareferee,anenquiryunderthissectionshallbe
deemedtobecivilproceedings.
(5)(a)Anypersonsummonedtoattendasawitnessortoproduceanydocumentorthingbeforeareferee
andwho,withoutsufficientcause
(i) failstoattendatthetimeandplacespecified
(ii) failstoremaininattendanceuntiltheconclusionoftheenquiryoruntilheorsheisexcusedbythe
refereefromfurtherattendance
(iii) refusestotakeanoathortomakeanaffirmationasawitnessor
(iv) havingtakenanoathormadeanaffirmation,failsto
(aa) answerfullyandsatisfactorilyanyquestionputtohimorheror
(bb) produceanydocumentorthinginhisorherpossessionorcustody,orunderhisorhercontrol,
whichheorshewassummonedtoproduce,
isguiltyofanoffenceandliableonconvictiontoafineortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingthreemonths.
(b)Anypersonwho,afterhavingtakenanoathorhavingmadeanaffirmation,givesfalseevidencebefore
arefereeatanenquiry,knowingsuchevidencetobefalseornotknowingorbelievingittobetrue,isguiltyofan
offenceandliableonconvictiontothepenaltiesprescribedbylawforperjury.
(6)Anyrefereeisentitledtosuchremunerationasmaybeprescribedbytherulesor,ifnosuch
remunerationhasbeensoprescribed,asthecourtmaydetermineandtoanyreasonableexpenditureincurredby
himorherforthepurposesoftheenquiry,andanysuchremunerationandexpendituremustbetaxedbythe
taxingmasterofthecourtandshallbecostsinthecause.
39.Examinationbyinterrogatories.(1)TheConstitutionalCourtand,inconnectionwithanycivil
proceedingspendingbeforeit,anyDivision,mayorderthattheevidenceofapersonbetakenbymeansof
interrogatoriesif
(a) inthecaseoftheConstitutionalCourt,thecourtdeemsitintheinterestsofjusticeor
(b) inthecaseofaDivision,thatpersonresidesorisforthetimebeingoutsidetheareaofjurisdictionof
thecourt.
(2)Wheneveranorderismadeundersubsection(1),theregistrarofthecourtmustcertifythatfactand
transmitacopyofhisorhercertificatetoacommissionerofthecourt,togetherwithanyinterrogatoriesdulyand
lawfullyframedwhichitisdesiredtoputtothesaidpersonandthefeesandtheamountoftheexpensespayable
tothesaidpersonforhisorherappearanceashereinafterprovided.
(3)Uponreceiptofthecertificate,theinterrogatoriesandtheamountscontemplatedinsubsection(2),the
commissionermust,inrespectofthepersonconcerned
(a) summonthatpersontoappearbeforehimorher
(b) uponhisorherappearance,takethatperson'sevidenceasifheorshewasawitnessinacivilcase
inthesaidcourt
(c) puttohimorherthesaidinterrogatories,withanyotherquestionscalculatedtoobtainfullandtrue
answerstothesaidinterrogatories
(d) takedownorcausetobetakendowntheevidencesoobtainedand
(e) transmittheevidence,certifiedascorrect,totheregistrarofthecourtwhereintheproceedingsin
questionarepending.
(4)Thecommissionermustfurthertransmittothesaidregistraracertificateshowingtheamountpaidtothe
personconcernedinrespectoftheexpensesofhisorherappearance,andthecostoftheissueandserviceofthe
processforsummoningsuchpersonbeforehimorher.
(5)Anypersonsummonedtoappearintermsofsubsection(3)whowithoutreasonableexcusefailsto
appearatthetimeandplacementionedinthesummons,isguiltyofanoffenceandliableonconvictiontoafineor
toimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingthreemonths.
(6)Anyinterrogatoriestakenandcertifiedundertheprovisionsofthissectionshall,subjecttoalllawful
exceptions,bereceivedasevidenceintheproceedingsconcerned.
40.Mannerofdealingwithcommissionsrogatoire,lettersofrequestanddocumentsforservice
originatingfromforeigncountries.(1)Wheneveracommissionrogatoireorletterofrequestinconnectionwith
anycivilproceedingsreceivedfromanystateorterritoryorcourtoutsidetheRepublic,istransmittedtothe
registrarofaDivisionbytheDirectorGeneraloftheDepartment,togetherwithatranslationinEnglishiftheoriginal
isinanyotherlanguage,andanintimationthattheMinisterconsidersitdesirablethateffectshouldbegiven
theretowithoutrequiringanapplicationtobemadetosuchcourtbytheagents,ifany,ofthepartiestotheaction
ormatter,theregistrarmustsubmitthesametoajudgeinchambersinordertogiveeffecttosuchcommission
rogatoireorletterofrequest.
(2)WheneverarequestfortheserviceonapersonintheRepublicofanycivilprocessorcitationreceived
fromanystate,territoryorcourtoutsidetheRepublic,istransmittedtotheregistrarofaDivisionbytheDirector
GeneraloftheDepartment,togetherwithatranslationinEnglishiftheoriginalisinanyotherlanguage,andan
intimationthattheMinisterconsidersitdesirablethateffectshouldbegiventhereto,theregistrarmustcause
serviceofthesaidprocessorcitationtobeeffectedinaccordancewiththerulesbythesherifforadeputysheriffor
anypersonspeciallyappointedtheretobyajudgeofthecourtconcerned.
(3)Theregistrarconcernedmust,aftereffecthasbeengiventoanysuchcommissionrogatoire,letterof
request,processorcitation,returnallrelevantdocuments,dulyverifiedinaccordancewiththerulesofcourt,tothe
DirectorGeneraloftheDepartmentfortransmission.
(4)ExceptwheretheMinisterdirectsotherwise,nofeesotherthandisbursementsshallberecoveredfrom
anystate,territoryorcourtonwhosebehalfanyservicereferredtointhissectionhasbeenperformed.
41.Courtmayorderremovalofcertainpersons.(1)Anypersonwho,duringthesittingofanySuperior
Court
(a) wilfullyinsultsanymemberofthecourtoranyofficerofthecourtpresentatthesitting,orwho
wilfullyhindersorobstructsanymemberofanySuperiorCourtoranyofficerthereofintheexerciseof
hisorherpowersortheperformanceofhisorherduties
(b) wilfullyinterruptstheproceedingsofthecourtorotherwisemisbehaveshimselforherselfintheplace
wherethesittingofthecourtisheldor
(c) doesanythingcalculatedimproperlytoinfluenceanycourtinrespectofanymatterbeingortobe
consideredbythecourt,
may,byorderofthecourt,beremovedanddetainedincustodyuntilthecourtadjourns.
(2)Removalanddetentionintermsofsubsection(1)doesnotprecludetheprosecutioninacourtoflawof
thepersonconcernedonachargeofcontemptofcourt.
Part3
ProcessofSuperiorCourts
42.Scopeandexecutionofprocess.(1)TheprocessoftheConstitutionalCourtandtheSupremeCourtof
AppealrunsthroughouttheRepublic,andtheirjudgmentsandordersmust,subjecttoanyapplicablerulesofcourt,
beexecutedinanyareainlikemannerasiftheywerejudgmentsorordersoftheDivisionortheMagistrates'Court
havingjurisdictioninsucharea.
(2)ThecivilprocessofaDivisionrunsthroughouttheRepublicandmaybeservedorexecutedwithinthe
jurisdictionofanyDivision.
(3)Anywarrantorotherprocessfortheexecutionofajudgmentgivenororderissuedagainstanyjuristic
person,partnershiporfirmmaybeexecutedbyattachmentofthepropertyorassetsofsuchjuristicperson,
partnershiporfirm.
43.Executionofprocessbysheriff.(1)Thesheriffmust,subjecttotheapplicablerules,executeall
sentences,judgments,writs,summonses,rules,orders,warrants,commandsandprocessesofanySuperiorCourt
directedtothesheriffandmustmakereturnofthemannerofexecutionthereoftothecourtandtothepartyat
whoseinstancetheywereissued.
(2)Thereturnofthesherifforadeputysheriffofwhathasbeendoneuponanyprocessofacourt,shallbe
primafacieevidenceofthemattersthereinstated.
(3)Thesheriffmustreceiveandcausetobedetainedallpersonsarrestedbyorderofthecourtorcommitted
tohisorhercustodybyanycompetentauthority.
(4)Arefusalbythesherifforadeputysherifftodoanyactwhichheorsheisbylawrequiredtodo,is
subjecttoreviewbythecourtconcernedonapplicationexparteoronnoticeasthecircumstancesmayrequire.
44.Transmissionofsummonses,writsandotherprocessandofnoticeofissuethereof.(1)(a)Inanycivil
proceedingsbeforeaSuperiorCourt,anysummons,writ,warrant,rule,order,notice,documentorotherprocessof
aSuperiorCourt,oranyothercommunicationwhichbyanylaw,ruleoragreementofpartiesisrequiredordirected
tobeservedorexecuteduponanyperson,orleftatthehouseorplaceofabodeorbusinessofanyperson,in
orderthatsuchpersonmaybeaffectedthereby,maybetransmittedbyfaxorbymeansofanyotherelectronic
mediumasprovidedbytherules.
(b)Thedocumentreceivedorprintedasaresultofthetransmissioncontemplatedinparagraph(a)isof
thesameforceandeffectasiftheoriginalhadbeenshowntooracopythereofservedorexecuteduponthe
personconcerned,orleftasaforesaid,asthecasemaybe.
(2)Anoticesentbyfax,oranyotherelectronicmediumauthorisedbytherules
(a) fromanyjudicialorpoliceofficer,registrar,assistantregistrar,sheriff,deputysherifforclerkofthe
courtand
(b) statingthatawarrantorwrithasbeenissuedforthearrestorapprehensionofanypersonrequired
toappearinortoansweranycivilsuit,actionorproceeding,
issufficientauthoritytoanyofficerauthorisedbylawtoexecuteanysuchwarrantorwritforthearrestand
detentionofsuchperson.
(3)(a)Apersonarrestedascontemplatedinsubsection(2)maybedetainedfortheshortestperiod
reasonablynecessary,butnotexceeding48hours,inordertobringthepersonbeforeajudgeofaSuperiorCourt.
(b)Thejudgereferredtoinparagraph(a)mustmakeanorderregardingtheattendancebythepersonin
questionofanyfurthercourtproceedingsandwarnthepersonthatanyfailuretoabidebytheorderisanoffence
punishablebyafineorbyimprisonmentnotexceedingoneyear.
(c)Anypersonwhofailstoabidebyanorderreferredtoinparagraph(b),isguiltyofanoffenceandliable
onconvictiontoafineortoimprisonmentnotexceedingoneyear.
45.Propertynotliabletobeseizedinexecution.Thesherifforadeputysheriffmaynotseizeinexecutionof
anyprocesssuchbelongingsofthedebtorasprescribed,buttheCourtconcernedmayinexceptionalcircumstances
andonsuchconditionsasitmaydetermine,initsdiscretionallowaspecificdeviationfromtheprescribed
provisions.
46.Offencesrelatingtoexecution.Anypersonwho
(a) obstructsasheriffordeputysheriffintheexecutionofhisorherduty
(b) beingawarethatgoodsareunderarrest,interdictorattachmentbyaSuperiorCourt,destroysor
disposesofthosegoodsinamannernotauthorisedbylaw,orknowinglypermitsthosegoods,ifin
hisorherpossessionorunderhisorhercontrol,tobedestroyedordisposedofinsuchamanner
(c) beingajudgmentdebtorandbeingrequiredbyasheriffordeputysherifftopointoutpropertyto
satisfyawarrantissuedinexecutionofjudgmentagainstthatperson
(i) falselydeclarestothesheriffordeputysheriffthatheorshepossessesnopropertyor
insufficientpropertytosatisfythewarrantor
(ii) althoughknowingofsuchproperty,neglectsorrefusestopointoutthatpropertyortodeliverit
tothesheriffordeputysheriffwhenrequestedtodosoor
(d) beingajudgmentdebtor,refusesorneglectstocomplywithanyrequirementofasheriffordeputy
sheriffinregardtothedeliveryofdocumentsinhisorherpossessionorunderhisorhercontrol
relatingtothetitleofimmovablepropertyunderexecution,
isguiltyofanoffenceandliableonconvictiontoafineortoimprisonmentforaperiodnotexceedingoneyear.
47.Issuingofsummonsorsubpoenaincivilproceedingsagainstjudge.(1)Notwithstandinganyotherlaw,
nocivilproceedingsbywayofsummonsornoticeofmotionmaybeinstitutedagainstanyjudgeofaSuperiorCourt,
andnosubpoenainrespectofcivilproceedingsmaybeservedonanyjudgeofaSuperiorCourt,exceptwiththe
consentoftheheadofthatcourtor,inthecaseofaheadofcourtortheChiefJustice,withtheconsentoftheChief
JusticeorthePresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppeal,asthecasemaybe.
(2)Wheretheissuingofasummonsorsubpoenaagainstajudgetoappearinacivilactionhasbeen
consentedto,thedateuponwhichsuchjudgemustattendcourtmustbedeterminedinconsultationwiththe
relevantheadofcourt.
48.ActingjudgesofSuperiorCourts.AnypersonwhohasbeenappointedasanactingjudgeofaSuperior
Courtmustberegardedashavingbeenappointedalsoforanyperiodduringwhichheorsheisnecessarily
engagedinthedisposalofanyproceedingsinwhichheorshehasparticipatedassuchajudge,includingan
applicationforleavetoappealthathasnotyetbeendisposedofattheexpiryofhisorherperiodofappointment.
49.Regulations.(1)TheMinistermay,ontheadviceoftheChiefJustice,makeregulationsregarding
(a) anymatterthatmaybenecessaryorexpedienttoprescriberegardingtheadministrativefunctionsof
courtsandtheefficientandeffectivefunctioningandadministrationofthecourts,includingthe
furnishingofperiodicalreturnsofstatisticsrelatingtoanyaspectofthefunctioningand
administrationofcourtsandtheperformanceofjudicialfunctions
(b) thecriteriatobeappliedfordeterminingthenumberofjudgestobeappointedtotheSupremeCourt
ofAppealandtoanyspecificDivision
(c) anyprotocoltobeobservedinrespectofanyprocessofconsultationrequiredintermsofthisAct
(d) thedeterminationofrecessperiodsoftheSuperiorCourts
(e) propertynotliabletobeseizedinexecution,ascontemplatedinsection45
(f) themannerinwhichrepresentativesofthemagistracymustbeengagedintheapplicationofsection
8.
(2)Anyregulationmadeundersubsection(1)mustbesubmittedtoParliamentbeforepublicationthereofin
theGazette.
CHAPTER9
TRANSITIONALPROVISIONS,AMENDMENTANDREPEALOFLAWS,ANDCOMMENCEMENT
50.ExistingHighCourts.(1)OnthedateofthecommencementofthisAct,butsubjecttotheissuingofany
noticereferredtoinsection6(3)(a)or(c),the
(a) EasternCapeHighCourt,Bhisho,becomesalocalseatoftheEasternCapeDivision
(b) EasternCapeHighCourt,Grahamstown,becomesthemainseatoftheEasternCapeDivision
(c) EasternCapeHighCourt,Mthatha,becomesalocalseatoftheEasternCapeDivision
(d) EasternCapeHighCourt,PortElizabeth,becomesalocalseatoftheEasternCapeDivision
(e) FreeStateHighCourt,Bloemfontein,becomesthemainseatoftheFreeStateDivision
(f) KwaZuluNatalHighCourt,Durban,becomesalocalseatoftheKwaZuluNatalDivision
(g) KwaZuluNatalHighCourt,Pietermaritzburg,becomesthemainseatoftheKwaZuluNatalDivision
(h) LimpopoHighCourt,Thohoyandou,subjecttosubsection(2),becomesalocalseatoftheLimpopo
Division
(i) NorthernCapeHighCourt,Kimberley,becomesthemainseatoftheNorthernCapeDivision
(j) NorthGautengHighCourt,Pretoria,becomesthemainseatoftheGautengDivision
(k) NorthWestHighCourt,Mahikeng,becomesthemainseatoftheNorthWestDivision
(l) SouthGautengHighCourt,Johannesburg,becomesalocalseatoftheGautengDivisionand
(m) WesternCapeHighCourt,CapeTown,becomesthemainseatoftheWesternCapeDivision,
oftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica,andtheareaofjurisdictionofeachofthosecourtsbecomestheareaof
jurisdictionorpartoftheareaofjurisdiction,asthecasemaybe,oftheDivisioninquestion.
(2)Notwithstandingsection6(1),theGautengDivisionshallalsofunctionastheLimpopoandMpumalanga
Divisions,respectively,untilanoticepublishedintermsofsection6(3)inrespectofthoseDivisionscomesinto
operation.
(3)AnycircuitcourtestablishedunderanylawrepealedbythisActandinexistenceimmediatelybeforethe
commencementofthisAct,shallbedeemedtohavebeendulyestablishedintermsofthisActasaCircuitCourtof
theDivisionconcerned.
(4)AnypersonholdingofficeastheJudgePresident,aDeputyJudgePresidentorajudgeofaHighCourt
referredtoinsubsection(1)whenthisActtakeseffect,becomestheJudgePresident,aDeputyJudgePresidentor
ajudgeoftheDivisioninquestion,asthecasemaybe.
(5)ThePresidentmay,withtheviewtofacilitatingandpromotingtheeffectiveandefficientadministrationof
justiceintheDivisionsestablishedintermsofthisAct,afterconsultationwiththeChiefJusticeandtheMinister,and
withtheconsentofthejudgeconcerned,transferanyjudgeofaDivisiontotheLimpopo,MpumalangaorNorth
WestDivision.
51.RulesinexistenceimmediatelybeforecommencementofAct.TherulesapplicabletotheConstitutional
Court,SupremeCourtofAppealandthevariousHighCourtsimmediatelybeforethecommencementofthissection
remaininforcetotheextentthattheyarenotinconsistentwiththisAct,untilrepealedoramended.
52.PendingproceedingswhenActcommences.(1)Subjecttosection27,proceedingspendinginanycourt
atthecommencementofthisAct,mustbecontinuedandconcludedasifthisActhadnotbeenpassed.
(2)Proceedingsmust,forthepurposesofthissection,bedeemedtobependingif,atthecommencementof
thisAct,asummonshadbeenissuedbutjudgmenthadnotbeenpassed.
(3)Subsections(1)and(2)arealsoapplicable,withthechangesrequiredbythecontext,inrespectof
proceedingspendingonthedatewhenanoticecontemplatedinsection50(2)comesintooperation.
53.Referencesinotherlaws.Anyreferenceinanylaw
(a) totheSupremeCourtAct,1959,oraprovisionofthesaidAct,mustbeconstruedasareferenceto
thisActoracorrespondingprovisionofthisAct
(b) toaSupremeCourt,aHighCourt,oraprovincialorlocaldivisionofaSupremeCourt,mustbe
construedasareferencetotheHighCourtofSouthAfricaoraDivisionreferredtointhisAct,asthe
contextmayrequireand
(c) totheAppellateDivisionofaSupremeCourt,mustbeconstruedasareferencetotheSupremeCourt
ofAppeal.
54.Financialaccountability.(1)TheMinistermustconsiderandaddressrequestsforfundsneededforthe
administrationandfunctioningoftheSuperiorCourts,asdeterminedbytheChiefJusticeafterconsultationwiththe
otherheadsofCourt,inthemannerprescribedforthebudgetaryprocessesofdepartmentsofstate.
(2)TheSecretaryGeneral,asaccountingofficeroftheOfficeoftheChiefJusticeintermsofthePublic
FinanceManagementAct,1999(ActNo.1of1999),ischargedwiththeresponsibilityofaccountingformoney
receivedorpaidoutfororonaccountoftheadministrationandfunctioningoftheSuperiorCourts,andmustcause
thenecessaryaccountingandotherrelatedrecordstobekept,intermsofthatAct.
55.Repealandamendmentoflaws.(1)Thelawsmentioned
(a) inSchedule1areherebyrepealedtotheextentsetoutinthefourthcolumnofthatSchedule
(b) inSchedule2areherebyamendedtotheextentsetoutinthefourthcolumnofthatSchedule.
(2)Anythingdoneunderanyprovisionofalawrepealedoramendedbysubsection(1),shall,insofarasit
maybenecessaryorappropriate,bedeemedtohavebeendoneunderthecorrespondingprovisionofthisAct.
56.Shorttitleandcommencement.ThisActiscalledtheSuperiorCourtsAct,2013,andcomesintooperation
onadatefixedbythePresidentbyproclamationintheGazette.
COMMENCEMENTOFTHISACT
Dateof
Dateof ThewholeAct/ Proclamation Government
Government
commencement Sections No. Gazette
Gazette
ThewholeAct,
exceptss.29,
37and45and
ItemsNo.11
ofSch.1inso
22August,
23August,2013 farasit R.36 36774
2013
repealss.16
ofActNo.13
of1995and
No.1.1of
Schedule2
ThisActwaspublishedinGovernmentGazette36743dated12August,2013.
SCHEDULE1
Lawsrepealed(Section55(1)(a))
Item
No.andyearoflaw Shorttitle Extentofrepeal
No.
1 ActNo.59of1959 SupremeCourtAct,1959 Thewhole
ActNo.59of1959
2 SupremeCourtAct,1959 Thewhole
(Venda)
Establishmentofthe
NorthernCapeDivisionof
3 ActNo.15of1969 Thewhole
theSupremeCourtof
SouthAfricaAct,1969
ActNo.15of1976 RepublicofTranskei Sections44uptoand
4
(Transkei) ConstitutionAct,1976 including53
Republicof
ActNo.18of1977 Sections59uptoand
5 Bophuthatswana
(Bophuthatswana) including67
ConstitutionAct,1977
RepublicofVenda Sections42uptoand
6 ActNo.9of1979(Venda)
ConstitutionAct,1979 includingsection52
SupremeCourtof
ActNo.32of1982
7 BophuthatswanaAct, Thewhole
(Bophuthatswana)
1982
ActNo.5of1983
8 SupremeCourtAct,1983 Thewhole
(Transkei)
DecreeNo.43of1990 SupremeCourtDecree,
9 Thewhole
(Ciskei) 1990
DecreeNo.45of1990 RepublicofCiskei
10 Sections27and28
(Ciskei) ConstitutionDecree,1990
ConstitutionalCourt
11 ActNo.13of1995 ComplementaryAct, Thewhole
1995
(EditorialNote:PleasenotethatalthoughtheConstitutionalCourtComplementaryAct,No.
13of1995,hasbeenrepealedasawhole,section16remainsineffectasper
ProclamationNo.R.36ofGovernmentGazette36774dated22August,2013.)
InterimRationalisationof
12 ActNo.41of2001 JurisdictionofHighCourts Thewhole
Act,2001
RenamingofHighCourts
13 ActNo.30of2008 Thewhole
Act,2008
SCHEDULE2
Lawsamended(Section55(1)(b))
Item
No.andyearoflaw Shorttitle Extentofamendment
No.
* 1. A m e n d m e n t o f section3 b y t h e
substitutionforparagraph(a)ofsubsection
RulesBoardfor (1)ofthefollowingparagraph:
1 ActNo.107of1985 CourtsofLaw "(a) theChiefJusticeasthe
Act,1985 chairperson".
(Dateofcommencementtobe
proclaimed.)
* 2.Amendssection6.
* 1to3inclusive.Amendsections
LabourRelations
2 ActNo.66of1995 151,154and170,respectivelysee
Act,1995
titleLABOUR.
SUPERIORCOURTSACT
10OF2013
PleasenotethatalthoughSchedule1oftheSuperiorCourtsAct,No.10of2013repealsthewholeofthe
SupremeCourtAct,No.59of1959andtheConstitutionalCourtComplementaryAct,No.13of1995,section
51oftheSuperiorCourtsAct,No.10of2013statesthattherulesapplicabletotheConstitutionalCourt,
SupremeCourtofAppealandthevariousHighCourtsimmediatelybeforethecommencementofthissection
remaininforcetotheextentthattheyarenotinconsistentwiththisAct,untilrepealedoramended.
TABLEOFCONTENTS
NOTICES
GN147of28February2014
Normsandstandardsfortheperformanceofjudicialfunctions
(GovernmentGazetteNo.37390)
RenamingofCourtsintermsofsection6oftheAct
Determinationofsittingsofthespecificcourts
GN743of5September2014:
MojalefaHansRampai
Proc35of14August2015
NewlyEstablishedPhuthaditjhabaCircuitCourt
GN30of15January2016
DeterminationofareasunderthejurisdictionofdivisionsoftheHighCourtofSouth
Africa
GN31of15January2016
WithdrawalofanoticedeterminingtheareasunderjurisdictionofDivisionsofthe
HighCourt,SouthAfrica
TABLEOFWITHDRAWALS
Thefollowingnoticeshaveherebybeenwithdrawn:
WithdrawnNotices Aswithdrawnby
GN1266of21December2015 GN31of15January2016
Determinationofareasunderthe Withdrawalofanoticedeterminingthe
jurisdictionofdivisionsoftheHigh areasunderjurisdictionofDivisionsof
CourtofSouthAfrica theHighCourt,SouthAfrica
(GovernmentGazetteNo.39540) (GovernmentGazetteNo.39601)
NOTICES
GN147of28February2014:Normsandstandardsfortheperformanceofjudicialfunctions
DEPARTMENTOFJUSTICEANDCONSTITUTIONALDEVELOPMENT
Byvirtueofthepowersvestedinmeintermsofsection165(6)oftheConstitutionreadwithsection8ofthe
SuperiorCourtsAct,2013(ActNo.10of2013)(theAct)I,MogoengMogoeng,theChiefJusticeoftheRepublicof
SouthAfrica,herebyissuethefollowingdirective:
Intermsofsection8(3)theattachednormsandstandardsfortheexerciseofjudicialfunctionsofallcourts
areattached.
ThisdirectiveisissuedandpublishedintheGazetteandenjoysthemajoritysupportoftheHeadsofSuperior
CourtsandHeadsofMagistrates'Court.
(Signed)
MogoengMogoeng
ChiefJusticeoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica

OFFICEOFTHECHIEFJUSTICE
REPUBLICOFSOUTHAFRICA
NORMSANDSTANDARDS
ISSUEDBYTHECHIEFJUSTICEOFTHEREPUBLICOFSOUTHAFRICAINTERMSOFSECTION8OFTHE
SUPERIORCOURTSACTNO.10OF2013READWITHSECTION165(6)OFTHECONSTITUTION
TABLEOFCONTENTS
1. PREAMBLE
2. OBJECTIVES
3. COREVALUES
4. MANAGEMENTOFJUDICIALFUNCTIONS
5. NORMSANDSTANDARDS
6. MONITORINGANDIMPLEMENTATION
1.PREAMBLE
Whereassection165(1)oftheConstitutionprovidesthatthejudicialauthorityoftheRepublicisvestedinthe
courts
ANDWhereastheConstitutionfurtherprovidesthat
(i) thecourtsareindependentandsubjectonlytotheConstitutionandthelaw,whichtheymustapply
impartiallyandwithoutfear,favourorprejudice[section165(2)]
(ii) nopersonororganofstatemayinterferewiththefunctioningofthecourts[section165(3)]
(iii) organsofstate,throughlegislativeandothermeasures,mustassistandprotectthecourtstoensure
theindependence,impartiality,dignity,accessibilityandeffectivenessofthecourts[section165(4)]
(iv) everyonehastherighttohaveanydisputethatcanberesolvedbytheapplicationoflawdecidedin
afairpublichearingbeforeacourt[section34]and
(v) everyoneisequalbeforethelawandhastherighttoequalprotectionandbenefitofthelaw[section
9(1)]
ANDWhereassection165(6)oftheConstitutionreadwithsection8oftheSuperiorCourtsAct,No.10of
2013,providesthattheChiefJusticeisresponsiblefortheestablishmentandmonitoringofnormsand
standardsfortheexerciseofthejudicialfunctionsofallcourts,andenjoinstheChiefJusticetoissuewritten
protocolsordirectives,togiveguidanceoradvicetoJudicialOfficers(JudgesandMagistrates)
ANDWhereassection12(5)oftheJudicialServiceCommissionAct,1994(ActNo.9of1994)providesforthe
CodeofJudicialConducttoserveastheprevailingstandardofjudicialconductwhichJudgesmustadhereto
ANDWhereasRegulation54AoftheRegulationsforJudicialOfficersinLowerCourts,1994promulgatedunder
theMagistratesAct,1993,(ActNo.90of1993)providesforaCodeofConductforMagistrates
NowthereforetheChiefJusticeherebyissuesthenormsandstandardscontainedhereinfortheperformance
ofjudicialfunctions.ThesenormsandstandardsarebindingonallJudicialOfficersandapplytoallCourtsinthe
RepublicofSouthAfrica,subjecttoappropriatemodificationsoradaptationsnecessitatedbythenatureofthe
Courtorspecialcircumstances.
ThesenormsandstandardsincorporatethepracticedirectivesforallSuperiorCourts,RegionalCourts,District
Courtsandallothercourts,whichtheChiefJusticewillissuefromtimetotime.Allprotocolsanddirectives
currentlyinoperationwillremainextant.Thevariouspracticedirectivesthereforeencapsulateandexpandthe
broadoutlinecontainedinthesenormsandstandardsandsimilarlyseektoattaintheobjectivesoutlined
aboveandassetoutinsection8(3)(b)oftheSuperiorCourtsAct.Intheeventofaconflictbetweenthese
normsandstandardsandanypracticedirectives,theformerwillprevail.UniformPracticeDirectiveswillasfar
aspracticablebedevelopedfortheSuperiorCourts,RegionalCourts,DistrictCourtsandallothercourtsand
willbeissuedbytheChiefJusticeinconsultationwiththeHeadsofCourt,theRegionalPresidentsForumand
theChiefMagistrate'sForum,asthecasemaybe.
2.OBJECTIVES
Thesenormsandstandardsseektoachievetheenhancementofaccesstoqualityjusticeforalltoaffirmthe
dignityofallusersofthecourtsystemandtoensuretheeffective,efficientandexpeditiousadjudicationand
resolutionofalldisputesthroughthecourts,whereapplicable.Theseobjectivescanonlybeattainedthrough
thecommitmentandcooperationofallJudicialOfficersinkeepingwiththeiroathorsolemnaffirmationto
upholdandprotecttheConstitutionandthehumanrightsentrenchedinitandtodeliverjusticetoallpersons
alikewithoutfear,favourorprejudiceinaccordancewiththeConstitutionandthelaw.
3.COREVALUES
Thenormsandstandardssetoutinthisdocumentareunderpinnedbythefollowingcorevalues
(i) TheindependenceoftheJudiciaryandtheconcomitantimperativesofintegrityandimpartialityofall
JudicialOfficers.
(ii) Equalityandfairness.
(iii) Accessibility.
(iv) Transparency.
(v) Responsiveness.
(vi) Diligence.
4.MANAGEMENTOFJUDICIALFUNCTIONS
Theoverallresponsibilityofmanagingjudicialfunctionsandforoverseeingtheimplementationofthesenorms
andstandardsvestsintheChiefJusticeasHeadoftheJudiciaryintermsofsection165(6)oftheConstitution
andsection8(2)oftheSuperiorCourtsAct.
ThecoordinationofthejudicialfunctionsofallMagistrates'CourtsfallingwithinthejurisdictionoftheDivision
oftheHighCourtistheresponsibilityoftheJudgePresidentofthatDivision.TheHeadsofthevariousCourts
willmanagethejudicialfunctionsandensurethatallJudicialOfficersperformtheirjudicialfunctionsefficiently.
InthecaseoftheMagistrates'Court,theHeads,whoaretheRegionalCourtPresidentsandtheHeadsofthe
AdministrativeRegionswillaccountforsuchmanagementtotherelevantJudgePresident.ThePresidentofthe
SupremeCourtofAppealaswellaseachJudgePresidentwillaccounttotheChiefJusticeforthemanagement
ofhisorhercourtand,inthecaseofJudgesPresident,themanagementoftheMagistrates'Courtsfalling
withinhisorherjurisdiction.
TheChiefJusticemaydesignateanyJudgetoassisthimorherinhisorherjudicialorleadershipfunctions.
Thelistofjudicialfunctionsenvisagedinsection8(6)oftheSuperiorCourtsAct(aswellassection165ofthe
Constitution),whichisnotexhaustive,issetoutbelow
(i) Determinationofsittingsofthespecificcourts
(ii) AssignmentofJudicialOfficerstosittings
(iii) AssignmentofcasesandotherjudicialdutiestoJudicialOfficers
(iv) DeterminationofsittingschedulesandplacesofsittingsforJudicialOfficers
(v) Managementofprocedurestobeadheredtoinrespectof
(a) Caseflowmanagement
(b) ThefinalisationofanymatterbeforeaJudicialOfficer(includinganyoutstandingjudgment,
decisionororder)
(c) RecessesofSuperiorCourts.1
Footnotes
1. ThislistofJudicialfunctionsisalsocontainedinsection8(6)oftheSuperiorCourtsAct.
5.NORMSANDSTANDARDS
5.1 NORMS
Thefollowingnormsareherebyestablished
(i) JudicialOfficersmustatalltimesactinaccordancewiththecorevaluesstatedabove.
(ii) EveryJudicialOfficermustdisposeofhisorhercasesefficiently,effectivelyandexpeditiously.
(iii) TheHeadsofallCourtsmusttakeallnecessaryinitiativestoensureathrivingnormativeand
standardisedcultureofleadershipandmustensurethatthesecorevaluesareadheredto.
(iv) TheHeadsofallcourtsshouldengenderanopenandtransparentpolicyofcommunicationboth
internallyandexternally.CollegialityamongstJudicialOfficersshouldbefosteredand
encouraged.
(v) TheHeadofeachCourtshouldencourageJudicialOfficerstoensurethatallcourtsandrelated
servicesshouldbeopenandaccessible.
(vi) JudicialOfficersshouldmakeoptimaluseofavailableresourcesandtimeandstrivetoprevent
fruitlessandwastefulexpenditureatalltimes.
(vii) JudicialOfficersshouldatalltimesbecourteousandresponsivetothepublicandaccordrespect
toallwithwhomtheycomeintocontact.
(viii) JudicialOfficersshouldstriveforandadheretoahighlevelofcompetenceandexcellenceandto
thisendareencouragedtoparticipateinregulartrainingundertheauspicesoftheSouthAfrican
JudicialEducationInstitute.
5.2 STANDARDS
Thefollowingstandardsareherebyestablished:
5.2.1 DETERMINATIONOFSITTINGSOFTHESPECIFICCOURTS
(i) JudicialOfficersshallatalltimesstrivetodeliverqualityjusticeasexpeditiouslyas
possibleinallcases.
(ii) Itisnotedthatthereisasignificantdifferenceinthemannerinwhichcourtsandthe
ConstitutionalCourt,theSupremeCourtofAppealandSpecialistCourts(theLabour
Courts,LabourAppealCourts,LandClaimsCourtandtheCompetitionAppealCourt)
performtheirwork,aswellasthecaseloadstheycarry,thestandardssetoutherein
mustbeappliedwithinthatcontext.TheHeadofeachCourtmustensurethatJudicial
Officersarealwaysavailabletohandlecases.
(iii) TheHeadofeachCourtwillberesponsiblefordeterminingthesittingsofeachcourt,
subjecttothedirectivesandoversightoftheChiefJustice.
(iv) Trialcourtsshouldstrivetositforaminimumof4.5hoursperdayandallJudicialOfficers
shouldstrictlycomplywithcourthours,savewhere,forgoodreason,thiscannotbe
done.
(v) IntheeventthataJudicialOfficershouldbecomeavailablee.g.wheretherollcollapses,
theJudicialOfficershouldmakehimorherselfavailabletobeallocatedotherworkby
theHeadoftheCourtoradesignatedJudicialOfficer.
5.2.2 ASSIGNMENTOFJUDICIALOFFICERSTOSITTINGS
(i) TheHeadofeachCourtmustassignJudicialOfficersforthehearingofcases.Such
allocationmustbedoneinanequitable,fairandbalancedmannerandmustasfaras
practicable,beeffectedinatransparentandopenmanner.Exchangeofcasesbetween
JudicialOfficersistobedonethrough,orinconsultationwith,theHeadofCourtora
SeniorJudicialOfficerassignedforthatpurpose.
(ii) TheHeadofeachCourtmustensurethatthereareJudicialOfficersassignedforall
sittingssothatcasesaredisposedofefficiently,effectivelyandexpeditiously.
(iii) EveryeffortmustthereforebemadetoensurethatanadequatenumberofJudicial
Officersisavailableinallcourtstoconductthecourts'business.
(iv) TheHeadofeachcourtmustensurethatawrittenrecordiskeptofvacationandother
leave,orextraordinaryabsenceaffordedtoallJudicialOfficers.
(v) Whereapplicable,duringeachrecessperiodtheHeadofcourtmustensurethatan
adequatenumberofJudicialOfficersareavailableinthatcourttodealwithanyjudicial
functionsthatneedtobedealtwith.
(vi) RecommendationsfortheappointmentofactingJudicialOfficerstoacourtmustbemade
ininstanceswhereaJudicialOfficerisnotavailabletoconductthedutiesofthatcourt
forwhateverreason,orastheneedmayarise,forexampletoaddressthebacklogs.
(vii) TheHeadofaCourtmayfromtimetotimeassignotherjudicialorrelateddutiesto
anotherJudicialOfficer.
(viii) AJudicialOfficershallnotabsenthimorherselfwithoutthepermissionoftheHeadof
theCourtoradesignatedJudicialOfficerwhereapplicable.
5.2.3 DETERMINATIONOFTHESITTINGSCHEDULESANDPLACEOFSITTINGFORJUDICIAL
OFFICERS
TheHeadofaCourtshalldeterminethesittingschedulesandplacesofsittingforJudicial
Officers.Withoutderogatingfromtheabovementionedgeneralstandard,presidingJudicial
Officersshallretainthediscretiontoarrangesittingsinthecasesbeforethemtomakeefficient
useofcourttime.
5.2.4 JUDICIALCASEFLOWMANAGEMENT
(i) Caseflowmanagementshallbedirectedatenhancingservicedeliveryandaccessto
qualityjusticethroughthespeedyfinalisationofallmatters.
(ii) TheNationalEfficiencyEnhancementCommittee,chairedbytheChiefJustice,shallco
ordinatecaseflowmanagementatnationallevel.EachProvinceshallhaveonlyone
ProvincialEfficiencyEnhancementCommittee,ledbytheJudgePresidentthatreportsto
theChiefJustice.
(iii) EveryCourtmustestablishacasemanagementforumchairedbytheHeadofthatCourt
tooverseetheimplementationofcaseflowmanagement.
(iv) JudicialOfficersshalltakecontrolofthemanagementofcasesattheearliestpossible
opportunity.
(v) JudicialOfficersshouldtakeactiveandprimaryresponsibilityfortheprogressofcases
frominitiationtoconclusiontoensurethatcasesareconcludedwithoutunnecessary
delay.
(vi) TheHeadofeachCourtshallensurethatJudicialOfficersconductpretrialconferences
asearlyandasregularlyasmayberequiredtoachievetheexpeditiousfinalisationof
cases.
(vii) NomattermaybeenrolledforhearingunlessitiscertifiedtrialreadybyaJudicialOfficer.
(viii) JudicialOfficersmustensurethatthereiscompliancewithallapplicabletimelimits.
5.2.5 FINALISATIONOFALLMATTERSBEFOREAJUDICIALOFFICER
AllJudicialOfficersmuststrivetofinaliseallmatters,includingoutstandingjudgments,
decisionsorordersasexpeditiouslyaspossible.Itisnotedthatsomecasesmay,duetothe
complexityandmagnitudethereof,takelongertofinalisethanthenormssetoutherein.
(i) Finalisationofcivilcases:
(a) HighCourtwithin1yearfromthedateofissueofsummons.
(b) Magistrates'Courtswithin9monthsfromthedateofissueofsummons.
(ii) Finalisationofcriminalcases:
(a) Inordertogiveeffecttoanaccusedperson'srighttoaspeedytrialenshrinedin
theConstitution,everyeffortshallbemadetobringtheaccusedtotrialassoon
aspossibleaftertheaccused'sarrestandfirstappearanceincourt.
(b) TheJudicialOfficermustensurethateveryaccusedpersonpleadstothecharge
within3monthsfromthedateoffirstappearanceintheMagistrates'court.Tothis
endJudicialOfficersshallstrivetofinalisecriminalmatterswithin6monthsafter
theaccusedhaspleadedtothecharge.
(c) AllJudicialOfficersareenjoinedtotakeaproactivestancetoinvokeallrelevant
legislationtoavoidlengthyperiodsofincarcerationofaccusedpersonswhilst
awaitingtrial.
5.2.6 DELIVERYOFJUDGMENTS
Judgments,inbothcivilandcriminalmatters,shouldgenerallynotbereservedwithoutafixed
dateforhandingdown.JudicialOfficershaveachoicetoreservejudgmentssinediewherethe
circumstancesaresuchthatthedeliveryofajudgmentonafixeddateisnotpossible.Savein
exceptionalcaseswhereitisnotpossibletodoso,everyeffortshallbemadetohanddown
judgmentsnolaterthan3monthsafterthelasthearing.
5.2.7 RECESSES
RecessesoftheSuperiorCourtsshallberegulatedassetoutinsections9(2),(3)and(4)of
theSuperiorCourtsAct.
6.MONITORINGANDIMPLEMENTATION
(i) TheChiefJusticeastheHeadoftheJudiciaryshallexerciseresponsibilityoverthemonitoringand
evaluationoftheperformanceofeachJudicialOfficeraswellasthemonitoringandimplementationof
normsandstandardsfortheexerciseofleadershipandjudicialfunctionsofallcourts.
(ii) EverythingreasonablypossibleshouldbedonetoensurethatJudicialOfficershavealltheresources
andtoolsoftradeavailedtothemtoenablethemtoperformtheirjudicialfunctionsefficientlyand
effectively.Reportingisanessentialandintegralpartofensuringeffectivemonitoringand
implementationofthenormsandstandards.AllJudicialOfficersshallsubmitdataontheir
performanceandtheworkflowofcasesforcollatingandanalysisfollowinguponwhicha
comprehensivereportbytheHeadofCourtwillbecompiled.
(iii) ThereportmustbesubmittedtotheHeadofaCourtwhowill,inthecaseofRegionalandDistrict
Courts,firstsubmittotheRegionalCourtPresidentandtheHeadoftheAdministrativeRegion,whoin
turnwillsubmitittotheJudgePresidentconcernedforfurthersubmissiontotheChiefJusticeto
assessthefunctioningandtheefficiencyofthecourts.EachHeadofCourtshallmonitorandevaluate
performanceoftheJudicialOfficersservinginhisorhercourtonadailybasistoensureoptimal
utilisationandproductivity.
Thesenormsandstandardsfortheexerciseofjudicialfunctionsofallcourtswereunanimouslyadoptedatthe
meetingsoftheHeadsoftheSuperiorCourts2 heldinCapeTownon13February2014andHeadsofMagistrates'
Court3 heldinCapeTownon14February2014.
GivenundermyhandinCapeTownonthisthe14thdayofFebruary2014.
(Signed)
MogoengMogoeng
Footnotes
2. TheHeadofCourtpresentatusemeetingwere:
MagoengCJ,ChiefJusticeoftheRepublicofSouthAfricaMpatiP,PresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealMthiyane
DP,DeputyPresidentoftheSupremeCourtofAppealandHeadoftheElectoralCourtKgomoJP,JudgePresidentofthe
NorthernCapeDivisionoftheHighCourtMusiJP,JudgePresidentoftheFreeStateDivisionoftheHighCourtMlambo
JP,JudgePresidentoftheGautengDivisionoftheHighCourtLeeuwJP,JudgePresidentoftheNorthWestDivisionof
theHighCourtWaglayJP,JudgePresidentoftheLabourCourtandLabourAppealCourtMeerAJP,ActingJudge
PresidentoftheLandClaimsCourtJappieDJP,DeputyJudgePresidentoftheKwaZuluNatalDivisionoftheHighCourt
PakadeADJP,ActingDeputyJudgePresidentoftheEasternCapeDivisionoftheHighCourtErasmusAJPActingJudge
PresidentoftheFreeStateDivisionoftheHighCourt.
3. TheHeadsofMagistratesCourtpresentatthemeetingwere:MsJJIkaneng,ViceChairpersonoftheMagistrates
CommissionMrKMNqadala,RegionalCourtPresidentNorthernCapeMsJHWessels,RegionalCourtPresident,
LimpopoMsNAEngelbrecht,RegionalCourtPresident,MpumalangaMsSRMonaledi,RegionalCourtPresidentNorth
WestMrBMGLanga,RegionalCourtPresidentWesternCapeMrMMaharaj,ActingRegionalCourtPresident,KwaZulu
NatalMrMaqubela,ActingRegionalCourtPresident,EasternCapeMrMDjaje,RegionalCourtPresident,GautengMs
JJIkaneng,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,NorthWestMrZMbalo,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,EasternCapeCluster
BMrDHinxa,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,FreestateClusterAMsAMotlekar,HeadofAdministraticeRegion,Free
stateClusterBMrETMashile,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,GautengMsCRingane,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,
PolokwaneMrEBNgubane,ActingHeadofAdministrativeRegion,KwaZuluNatalClusterAMsMMonyemore,Headof
AdministrativeRegion,KwaZuluNatalClusterBMrDNgobeni,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,MpumalangaMrO
Krieling,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,NorthernCapeMrDimbaza,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,WesternCape
ClusterAMsHAlman,HeadofAdministrativeRegion,WesternCapeClusterB.
GN148of28February2014:RenamingofCourtsintermsofsection6oftheAct
Byvirtueofthepowersvestedinmeintermsofsection8oftheSuperiorCourtsAct,2013(ActNo.10of2013)(the
Act)I,MogoengMogoeng,theChiefJusticeoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica,herebyissuethefollowingdirective:
TheActcreatedasingleHighCourt,withvariousdivisionsconstitutedintermsofsection6oftheAct.Inthisregard
allcourtprocessesintheHighCourtshallbeheadedinaccordancewiththeActandallcourtprocessesshallbeas
headedasfollows:
(a) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
EASTERNCAPEDIVISION,GRAHAMSTOWN
(b) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
EASTERNCAPELOCALDIVISION,BHISHO
(c) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
EASTERNCAPELOCALDIVISION,MTHATHA
(d) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
EASTERNCAPELOCALDIVISION,PORTELIZABETH
(e) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
FREESTATEDIVISION,BLOEMFONTEIN
(f) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
GAUTENGDIVISION,PRETORIA
(g) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
GAUTENGLOCALDIVISION,JOHANNESBURG
(h) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
GAUTENGDIVISION,PRETORIA(FunctioningasLIMPOPODIVISION,POLOKWANE)
(i) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
GAUTENGDIVISION,PRETORIA(FunctioningasLIMPOPOLOCALDIVISION,THOHOYANDOU)
(j) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
GAUTENGDIVISION,PRETORIA(FunctioningasMPUMALANGADIVISION,NELSPRUIT)
(k) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
KWAZULUNATALDIVISION,PIETERMARITZBURG
(l) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
KWAZULUNATALLOCALDIVISION,DURBAN
(m ) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
NORTHERNCAPEDIVISION,KIMBERLEY
(n) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
NORTHWESTDIVISION,MAHIKENG
(o) "INTHEHIGHCOURTOFSOUTHAFRICA"
WESTERNCAPEDIVISION,CAPETOWN
ThisdirectiveisissuedandpublishedintheGazetteandenjoysthemajoritysupportoftheHeadsofCourtas
requiredinsection8(5)oftheAct.
(Signed)
MogoengMogoeng
GN149of21February2014:Determinationofsittingsofthespecificcourts
Byvirtueofthepowersvestedinmeintermsofsection8oftheSuperiorCourtsAct,2013(ActNo.10of2013)(the
Act)I,MogoengMogoeng,theChiefJusticeoftheRepublicofSouthAfrica,herebyissuethefollowingdirective:
"Intermsofsection8(6) oftheSuperiorCourtsActthecourttermsoftheSuperiorCourtsshallbein
accordancewiththeattachedschedule."
ThisdirectiveisissuedandpublishedintheGazetteandenjoysthemajoritysupportoftheHeadsofSuperiorCourt
andHeadsofMagistratesCourt.
(Signed)
MogoengMogoeng
2014
No.ofweeksin
TERMS No.ofweeksinTerm RECESS
Recess
27Jan30March 9 31March13Apr 2
14April29June 11 30June27July 4
28July21Sept 8 22Sept5Oct 2
6Oct14Dec 10 15Dec25Jan2015 6
2015
No.ofweeksin
Recess
26Jan29March 9 30Mar12April 2
2016
No.ofweeksin
Recess
25Jan3April 10 4April17April 2
2017
No.ofweeksin
Recess
17April2July 11 3July30July 4
2018
No.ofweeksin
Recess
16April1July 11 2July29July 4
2018
No.ofweeksin
Recess
28Jan31March 9 1April14April 2
15April30June 11 1July28July 4
7Oct15Dec 10 16Dec26Jan 6
2020
No.ofweeksin
Recess
27Jan29March 9 30March12April 2
GN743of5September2014:MojalefaHansRampai
DEPARTMENTOFJUSTICEANDCORRECTIONALSERVICES
BEITHEREBYKNOWNTHAT:
I,
MOJALEFAHANSRAMPAI,
inmycapacityastheactingjudgepresidentoftheFreeStateProvincialDivisionoftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica,
herebyproclaimBotshabeloMagistrateCourtintheMotheoDistrictMunicipalityintheFreeStateProvince,tobe
oneofthecircuitcourtvenuesoftheFreeStateDivision.ThenewlyestablishedBotshabeloCircuitCourtwillserve
communitiesofthefollowingmagisterialdistrictswitheffectfromMonday6October2014:
Botshabelo,ThabaNchuandVerkeerdevlei.
Iissuethispublicnoticebyvirtueofthepowersvestedinmeintermsofsection7SupremeCourtAct59of1959.
SIGNEDinBLOEMFONTEINonFRIDAY22AUGUST2014.
(Signed)
JUDGEM.H.RAMPAI
Proc35of14August2015:NewlyEstablishedPhuthaditjhabaCircuitCourt
BEITHEREBYKNOWNTHAT:
I,
MAHUBEBETTYMOLEMELA,
inmycapacityasJudgePresidentoftheFreeStateDivisionoftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica,
herebyproclaimPhuthaditjhabaintheFreeStateProvincetobeoneofthecircuitcourtvenuesoftheFreeState
Division.ThenewlyestablishedPhuthaditjhabaCircuitCourtwillservecommunitiesofthefollowingmagisterial
districtswitheffectfrom1October2015:
Phuthaditjhaba,Makwane,TsekiandTsheseng.
I.issuethispublicnoticebyvirtueofthepowersvestedinmeintermsofsection7oftheSuperiorCourtsAct10of
2013.
SIGNEDatBLOEMFONTEINonMONDAY22JUNE2015.
(Signed)
MBMOLEMELA
JUDGEPRESIDENT
GN30of15January2016:DeterminationofareasunderthejurisdictionofdivisionsoftheHighCourtof
SouthAfrica
I,TshililoMichaelMasutha,MinisterofJusticeandCorrectionalServices,actingundersection6(3)(a)and(c)ofthe
SuperiorCourtsAct,2013(ActNo.10of2013),hereby,afterconsultationwiththeJudicialServiceCommission,with
effectfrom25January2016
(a) establishLephalale(Magistrate'sCourt)asalocalseatoftheLimpopoDivisionoftheHighCourtof
SouthAfricaand
(b) determinetheareasofjurisdictionofcertainDivisionsoftheHighCourtofSouthAfricaasreflected
undereachitemintheSchedule.
GivenundermyhandatPRETORIAonthisthe13thdayofJANUARYTwoThousandandSixteen.
(Signed)
TMMASUTHA
MINISTEROFJUSTICEANDCORRECTIONALSERVICES
SCHEDULE
Nameof Areaunderthejurisdictionofthe Areaofjurisdictionofthelocal

Item MainSeat Localseat
Division Division seat
Thefollowingmagisterialdistricts Thefollowingmagisterial
andsubdistrictswithintheLimpopo districtsandsubdistricts:Bela
Provinceasdescribedintermsof Bela,Lephalale(andPhalala
1. Limpopo Polokwane Lephalale
section2oftheMagistratesCourts subdistrict),Modimolle,and
Act,1944(ActNo.32of1944):Ba Thabazimbi(andNortharm
Phalaborwa(andNamakgaleand subdistrict).
Lulekanisubdistricts),Blouberg,
EliasMotsoaledi(andMoutsesub
ditsrict),Letaba,LepelleNkumpi, Thefollowingmagisterial
Makhuduthamaga(andSekhukhune districts:Giyani,Makhado(and
subdistrict),Mogalakwena(and Dzanani,Hlanganani,
Mokopanesubdistrict),Molemole, ThsilwavusikuandTshitalesub
Thohoyandou
Mookgophong,Polokwane(and districts),Malamulele(and
MankwengandSeshegosub TiyaniandVuwanisub
districts),TubatseandTzaneen districts),Mutale,Musina,and
(andLenyenyeandTzaneensub Thulamela.
districts).
Thefollowingmagisterialdistricts
andsubdistrictswithintheGauteng
Provinceasdescribedintermsof
section2oftheMagistratesCourts
Act,1944(ActNo.32of1944):
EkurhuleniCentral(andGermiston
subdistrict),EkurhuleniEast(and
Nigelsubdistrict),EkurhuleniNorth
(andBoksburgandTembisasub
districts),EkurhuleniSouthEast
Thelocalseathasconcurrent
(andBrakpan,Daveytonand
jurisdictionwiththemainseat
Tsakanesubdistricts),Emfuleni
untilsuchtimethattheareaof
(andSebokengandVereeniging
2. Gauteng Pretoria Johannesburg jurisdictionofthelocalseatis
subdistricts),JohannesburgCentral
determinedintermsofsection
(andSowetosubdistrict),
6(3)(c)oftheSuperiorCourts
JohannesburgNorth(andAlexandra
Act,2013(ActNo.10of2013).
subdistrict),JohannesburgWest,
Lesedi,Merafong(andFochville
subdistrict),Midvaal,MogaleCity
(andKagisosubdistrict),Tshwane
Central(andAtteridgevilleand
Mamelodisubdistricts),Tshwane
East(andBronkhorstspruitsub
district),TshwaneNorth(and
Soshanguvesubdistrict),
Randfontein,andWestonaria.
andsubdistrictswithinthe
MpumalangaProvinceasdescribed
intermsofsection2ofthe
MagistratesCourtsAct,1944(Act
No.32of1944):Bushbuckridge
(andMhalasubdistrict),Chief
AlbertLuthuli(andCarolinasub
district),Dipaleseng,DrJSMoroka
(andMbibanasubdistrict),Dr
PixleyKaIsakaSeme(and
AmersfoortandWakkerstroomsub
districts),Emalahleni(andKrieland
Vosmansubdistricts),Emakhazeni

(andWatervalBovensubdistrict),
GovanMbeki(andBethaland
Secundasubdistricts),Lekwa,
Mbombela(andNsikaziandWhite
Riversubdistricts),Mkhondo(and
Amsterdamsubdistrict),
Msukaligwa(andBreytensub
district),Nkomazi(andKomatipoort
subdistrict),SteveTshwete(and
Hendrinasubdistrict),Thaba
Chweu(andGraskopandSabie
subdistricts),ThembisileHani(and
KwaMhlangasubdistrict),Umjindi
andVictorKhanye,
andsubdistrictsintheNorthWest
ProvinceMadibeng(withthe
exclusionoftheGaRankuwasub
district),Tlokwe(andOrkneyand
Stilfonteinsubdistricts)and
Ventersdorp.
AreasunderthejurisdictionoftheoutstandingDivisionsoftheHighCourtwillbedeterminedgraduallyconcomitant
withtherationalisationprocessintheprovincesconcerned.
GN31of15January2016:WithdrawalofanoticedeterminingtheareasunderjurisdictionofDivisionsofthe
HighCourt,SouthAfrica
I,TshililoMichaelMasutha,MinisterofJusticeandCorrectionalServices,actingundersection6(3)(a) o f t h e
SuperiorCourtsAct,2013(ActNo.10of2013,)herebywithdrawGovernmentNoticeNo.1266publishedin
GovernmentGazetteNo.39540dated21December2015determiningtheareasunderthejurisdictionofthe
DivisionsoftheHighCourtofSouthAfrica.
GivenundermyhandatPRETORIAonthisthe13thdayofJANUARYTwoThousandandSixteen.
(Signed)
TMMASUTHA
MINISTEROFJUSTICEANDCORRECTIONALSERVICES

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