SUPERIOR COURTS ACT

[Updated to 11 March 2019]

Act 10 of 2013 (G. 36743, c.i.o 23 August 2013 [Proc. R36, G. 36774])
Act 7 of 2017 (G. 42297, c.i.o 11 March 2019 [Proc. R12, G. 42297])
Act 8 of 2017 (G. 41018, c.i.o 2 August 2017)

[Commencement: 23 August 2013 unless otherwise noted]

It is hereby notified that the President has assented to the following Act, which is hereby published for
general information.

______________________________

(English text signed by the President.)

(Assented to 12 August 2013.)

___________________________

ACT

To rationalise, consolidate and amend the laws relating to the Constitutional Court, the
Supreme Court of Appeal and the High Court of South Africa; to make provision for the
administration of the judicial functions of all courts; to make provision for administrative and
budgetary matters relating to the Superior Courts; and to provide for matters incidental
thereto.

PREAMBLE

NOTING THAT section 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides that the
supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law form part of the founding values of the Republic;

AND section 165 of the Constitution provides that—

(a) the judicial authority of the Republic is vested in the courts;

(b) the courts are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law, which they must
apply impartially and without fear, favour or prejudice;

(c) no person or organ of State may interfere with the functioning of the courts;
(d) organs of State, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect the courts to
ensure the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts;

(e) an order or decision by a court binds all persons to whom and all organs of State to which it
applies; and

(f) the Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary and exercises responsibility over the
establishment and monitoring of norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions
of all courts;

AND section 166 of the Constitution provides that the courts are—

(a) the Constitutional Court;

(b) the Supreme Court of Appeal;

(c) the High Court of South Africa;

(d) the Magistrates’ Courts; and

(e) any other court established or recognised in terms of an Act of Parliament, including any court
of a status similar to either the High Court or the Magistrates’ Courts;

AND section 171 of the Constitution provides that all courts function in terms of national legislation,
and their rules and procedures must be provided for in terms of national legislation;

AND section 180 of the Constitution provides that national legislation may provide for any matter
concerning the administration of justice that is not dealt with in the Constitution;

AND item 16(6)(a) of Schedule 6 to the Constitution provides that as soon as practical after the
Constitution took effect all courts, including their structure, composition, functioning and jurisdiction,
and all relevant legislation, must be rationalised with a view to establishing a judicial system suited to
the requirements of the Constitution;

NOTING FURTHER that, with the advent of the democratic constitutional dispensation in 1994, the
Republic inherited a fragmented court structure and infrastructure which were largely derived from our
colonial history and were subsequently further structured to serve the segregation objectives of the
apartheid dispensation;
AND that, before the advent of the democratic constitutional dispensation in 1994, the Magistrates’
Courts were not constitutionally recognised as part of the judicial authority and were largely dealt with
as an extension of the public service;

AND that, since the Constitution provides that the judicial authority is vested in all the courts, it is
desirable to provide for a uniform framework for judicial management, by the judiciary, of the judicial
functions of all courts;

AND RECOGNISING that the rationalisation envisaged by item 16(6)(a) of Schedule 6 to the
Constitution is an on-going process that is likely to result in further legislative and other measures in
order to establish a judicial system suited to the requirements of the Constitution,

PARLIAMENT of the Republic of South Africa enacts, as follows.

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
1. Definitions
2. Objects and interpretation of Act
3. Introduction of legislation dealing with court structures

CHAPTER 2
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL AND HIGH COURT OF SOUTH
AFRICA

4. Constitution and seat of Constitutional Court

5. Constitution and seat of Supreme Court of Appeal
6. Constitution of High Court of South Africa
7. Circuit Courts

CHAPTER 3
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ALL COURTS

8. Judicial management of judicial functions

9. Access to courts, recess periods and attendance at courts
10. Finances
11. Appointment of officers and staff

CHAPTER 4
 MANNER OF ARRIVING AT DECISIONS BY SUPERIOR COURTS

12. Manner of arriving at decisions by Constitutional Court

13. Manner of arriving at decisions by Supreme Court of Appeal
14. Manner of arriving at decisions by Divisions

CHAPTER 5
ORDERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL INVALIDITY, APPEALS AND SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTING
DECISIONS

15. Referral of order of constitutional invalidity to Constitutional Court

16. Appeals generally
17. Leave to appeal
18. Suspension of decision pending appeal
19. Powers of court on hearing of appeals
20. Settlement of conflicting decisions in civil cases

CHAPTER 6
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO HIGH COURT ONLY

21. Persons over whom and matters in relation to which Divisions have jurisdiction
22. Grounds for review of proceedings of Magistrates’ Court
23. Judgment by default
23A. Rescission of judgment with consent of plaintiff or where judgment debt has been paid
24. Time allowed for appearance
25. Circumstances in which security for costs shall not be required
26. Disposal of records and execution of judgments of Circuit Courts
27. Removal of proceedings from one Division to another or from one seat to another in same
Division
28. Prohibition on attachment to found jurisdiction within Republic

CHAPTER 7
RULES OF COURT

29. Rules of Constitutional Court

30. Rules of Supreme Court of Appeal and High Court

CHAPTER 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SUPERIOR COURTS
 Part 1
Nature of courts

31. Nature of courts and seals

32. Proceedings to be carried on in open court
33. More than one court may sit at same time

Part 2
Adducing of evidence and procedural matters

34. Certified copies of court records admissible as evidence

35. Manner of securing attendance of witnesses or production of any document or thing in
proceedings and penalties for failure
36. Manner in which witness may be dealt with on refusal to give evidence or produce documents
37. Witness fees
38. Reference of particular matters for investigation by referee
39. Examination by interrogatories
40. Manner of dealing with commissions rogatoire, letters of request and documents for service
originating from foreign countries
41. Court may order removal of certain persons

Part 3
Process of Superior Courts

42. Scope and execution of process

43. Execution of process by sheriff
44. Electronic transmission of summonses, writs and other process
45. Property not liable to be seized in execution
46. Offences relating to execution
47. Issuing of summons or subpoena in civil proceedings against judge
48. Acting judges of Superior Courts
49. Regulations

CHAPTER 9
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS, AMENDMENT AND REPEAL OF LAWS, AND COMMENCEMENT

50. Existing High Courts

51. Rules in existence immediately before commencement of Act
52. Pending proceedings when Act commences
53. References in other laws
54. Financial accountability
55. Repeal and amendment of laws
56. Short title

Schedule 1: Laws repealed

Schedule 2: Laws amended

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
1. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates—

“appeal” in Chapter 5, does not include an appeal in a matter regulated in terms of the
Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977), or in terms of any other criminal procedural
law;

“business day” means a day that is not a public holiday, Saturday or Sunday;

“Constitution” means the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;

“Department” means the Department responsible for the administration of justice;

“Director-General” means the Director-General of the Department;

“Division” means any Division of the High Court;

“full court”, in relation to any Division, means a Court consisting of three judges;

“head of court”, in relation to—

(i) the Constitutional Court, means the Chief Justice;

(ii) the Supreme Court of Appeal, means the President of that Court;

(iii) any Division of the High Court, means the Judge President of that Division; and

(iv) any court of a status similar to the High Court, the most senior judge of such court;
 “High Court” means the High Court of South Africa referred to in section 6(1);

“judicial officer” means any person referred to in section 174(1) of the Constitution;

‘Judicial Service Commission” means the Judicial Service Commission referred to in

section 178 of the Constitution;

“Magistrates’ Court” means any court established in terms of section 2 of the Magistrates’
Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944);

“Minister” means the Cabinet member responsible for the administration of justice;

“plaintiff” includes any applicant or other party who seeks relief in civil proceedings;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulation made in terms of this Act;

“President” means the President of the Republic of South Africa;

“registrar” means the registrar of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal or
any Division of the High Court, as the case may be, and includes an assistant registrar;

“rules” means the applicable rules of court;

“Rules Board” means the Rules Board for Courts of Law, established by the Rules Board for
Courts of Law Act, 1985 (Act 107 of 1985);

“Secretary-General” means the head of the Office of the Chief Justice, referred to in Column
2 of Schedule 1 to the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation 103 of 1994);

“Superior Court” means the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High
Court and any court of a status similar to the High Court;

“this Act” includes any regulation.

2. Objects and interpretation of Act

(1) The objects of this Act are—

(a) to consolidate and rationalise the laws pertaining to Superior Courts as contemplated
in item 16(6) of Schedule 6 to the Constitution;
 (b) to bring the structure of the Superior Courts in line with the provisions of Chapter 8
and the transformation imperatives of the Constitution; and

(c) to make provision for the administration of the judicial functions of all courts, including
governance issues, over which the Chief Justice exercises responsibility.

(2) This Act must be read in conjunction with Chapter 8 of the Constitution, which contains the
founding provisions for the structure and jurisdiction of the Superior Courts, the appointment
of judges of the Superior Courts and matters related to the Superior Courts.

(3) The provisions of this Act relating to Superior Courts other than the Constitutional Court, the
Supreme Court of Appeal or the High Court of South Africa, are complementary to any
specific legislation pertaining to such Courts, but in the event of a conflict between this Act
and such legislation, such legislation must prevail.

3. Introduction of legislation dealing with court structures

The Minister must be consulted prior to the introduction in Parliament, by a person other than
the Minister, of any bill—

(a) providing for the establishment of any court of law;

(b) providing for the establishment of any tribunal contemplated in section 34 of the
Constitution;

(c) that amends the structure or functions of any court of law or tribunal referred to in
paragraph (a) or (b); or

(d) that assigns functions to judicial officers, other than in terms of this Act.

CHAPTER 2
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT, SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL AND HIGH COURT OF SOUTH
AFRICA

4. Constitution and seat of Constitutional Court

(1)
(a) The Constitutional Court consists of the Chief Justice of South Africa, the Deputy
Chief Justice of South Africa and nine other judges of the Constitutional Court.
 (b) The seat of the Constitutional Court is in Johannesburg, but whenever it appears to
the Chief Justice that it is expedient or in the interests of justice to hold its sitting for
the hearing of any matter at a place elsewhere than at the seat of the Court, it may
hold such sitting at that place.

(2) The Deputy Chief Justice must—

(a) exercise such powers or perform such functions of the Chief Justice in terms of this or
any other law as the Chief Justice may assign to him or her; and

(b) in the absence of the Chief Justice, or if the office of Chief Justice is vacant, exercise
the powers or perform the functions of the Chief Justice, as Acting Chief Justice.

5. Constitution and seat of Supreme Court of Appeal

(1)
(a) The Supreme Court of Appeal consists of—

(i) the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal;

(ii) the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal; and

(iii) so many other judges as may be determined in accordance with the

prescribed criteria, and approved by the President.

(b) Subject to section 9(1), the seat of the Supreme Court of Appeal is in Bloemfontein,
but whenever it appears to the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal that it is
expedient or in the interests of justice to hold its sitting for the hearing of any matter at
a place elsewhere than at the seat of the Court, it may hold such sitting at that place.

(2) The Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal must—

(a) exercise such powers or perform such functions of the President of the Supreme
Court of Appeal in terms of this or any other law as the latter may assign to him or
her; and

(b) in the absence of the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, or if the office of
President of the Supreme Court of Appeal is vacant, perform the functions of the
President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, as Acting President of the Supreme Court
 of Appeal.

6. Constitution of High Court of South Africa

(1) The High Court of South Africa consists of the following Divisions—

(a) Eastern Cape Division, with its main seat in Grahamstown.

(b) Free State Division, with its main seat in Bloemfontein.

(c) Gauteng Division, with its main seat in Pretoria.

(d) KwaZulu-Natal Division, with its main seat in Pietermaritzburg.

(e) Limpopo Division, with its main seat in Polokwane.

(f) Mpumalanga Division, with its main seat in Nelspruit.

(g) Northern Cape Division, with its main seat in Kimberley.

(h) North West Division, with its main seat in Mahikeng.

(i) Western Cape Division, with its main seat in Cape Town.

(2) Each Division of the High Court consists of—

(a) a Judge President and one or more Deputy Judges President, as determined by the
President, each with specified headquarters within the area under the jurisdiction of
that Division; and

(b) so many other judges as may be determined in accordance with the prescribed
criteria, and approved by the President.

(3)
(a) The Minister must, after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, by notice
in the Gazette, determine the area under the jurisdiction of a Division, and may in the
same manner amend or withdraw such a notice.

(b) The area under the jurisdiction of a Division may comprise any part of one or more
provinces.
 (c) The Minister may, after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, by notice
in the Gazette establish one or more local seats for a Division, in addition to the main
seats referred to in subsection (1), and determine the area under the jurisdiction of
such a local seat, and may in the same manner amend or withdraw such a notice.

(d) The publication of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) does not affect any
proceedings which are pending at the time of such publication.

(4) If a Division has one or more local seats—

(a) the main seat of that Division has concurrent appeal jurisdiction over the area of
jurisdiction of any local seat of that Division, and the Judge President of the Division
may direct that an appeal against a decision of a single judge or of a Magistrates’
Court within that area of jurisdiction may be heard at the main seat of the Division;

(b) the Judge President of that Division must compile a single court roll for that Division;
and

(c) the Judge President of that Division may assign all the judges of that Division within
the Division as he or she deems fit.

(5) If a judge of one Division is to be temporarily assigned to another Division, such assignment
must take place by way of an acting appointment in terms of section 175(2) of the
Constitution.

(6)
(a) Subject to paragraph (b), a Deputy Judge President of a Division must—

(i) exercise such powers or perform such functions of the Judge President in
terms of this or any other law as the latter may assign to him or her; and

(ii) in the absence of the Judge President of that Division, or if the office of the
Judge President is vacant, exercise the powers or perform the functions of
the Judge President, as the Acting Judge President of that Division.

(b) If more than one Deputy Judge President is appointed in respect of a Division, the
most senior Deputy Judge President of that Division must exercise the powers or
perform the functions of the Judge President in the circumstances referred to in
paragraph (a)(ii).
(7) Whenever it appears to the Judge President of a Division that it is expedient or in the interests
of justice to hold a sitting for the hearing of any matter at a place elsewhere than at the seat
or a local seat of the Division, he or she may, after consultation with the Minister, hold such
sitting at that place.

7. Circuit Courts

(1) The Judge President of a Division may by notice in the Gazette within the area under the
jurisdiction of that Division establish circuit districts for the adjudication of civil or criminal
matters, and may by like notice alter the boundaries of any such district.

(2) In each circuit district of a Division there must be held, at least twice a year and at such times
and places as may be determined by the Judge President concerned, a court which must be
presided over by a judge of that Division.

(3) A court referred to in subsection (2) is called a circuit court of the Division in question.

CHAPTER 3
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ALL COURTS

8. Judicial management of judicial functions

(1) For the purpose of any consultation regarding any matter referred to in this section, the Chief
Justice may convene any forum of judicial officers that he or she deems appropriate.

(2) The Chief Justice, as the head of the judiciary as contemplated in section 165(6) of the
Constitution, exercises responsibility over the establishment and monitoring of norms and
standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of all courts.

(3) The Chief Justice may, subject to subsection (5), issue written protocols or directives, or give
guidance or advice, to judicial officers—

(a) in respect of norms and standards for the performance of the judicial functions as
contemplated in subsection (6); and

(b) regarding any matter affecting the dignity, accessibility, effectiveness, efficiency or
functioning of the courts.

(4)
 (a) Any function or any power in terms of this section, vesting in the Chief Justice or any
other head of court, may be delegated to any other judicial officer of the court in
question.

(b) The management of the judicial functions of each court is the responsibility of the
head of that court.

(c) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Judge President of a Division is also
responsible for the co-ordination of the judicial functions of all Magistrates’ Courts
falling within the jurisdiction of that Division.

(5) Any protocol or directive in terms of subsection (3)—

(a) may only be issued by the Chief Justice if it enjoys the majority support of the heads
of those courts on which it would be applicable; and

(b) must be published in the Gazette.

(6) The judicial functions referred to in subsection (2) and subsection (4)(b) include the—

(a) determination of sittings of the specific courts;

(b) assignment of judicial officers to sittings;

(c) assignment of cases and other judicial duties to judicial officers;

(d) determination of the sitting schedules and places of sittings for judicial officers;

(e) management of procedures to be adhered to in respect of—

(i) case flow management;

(ii) the finalisation of any matter before a judicial officer, including any
outstanding judgment, decision or order; and

(iii) recesses of Superior Courts.

(7) The Chief Justice may designate any judge to assist him or her in his or her judicial
leadership functions.
9. Access to courts, recess periods and attendance at courts

(1) All Superior Courts—

(a) must be open to the public every business day; and

(b) may perform the functions of the court on any Saturday, Sunday or public holiday as
may be required from time to time.

(2) Superior Courts may have such recess periods as may be determined by the Chief Justice in
consultation with the heads of court and the Minister in order to enable judges to do research
and to attend to outstanding or prospective judicial functions that may be assigned to them.

(3) During each recess period, the head of each court must ensure that an adequate number of
judges are available in that court to deal with any judicial functions that may be required, in
the interests of justice, to be dealt with during that recess period.

(4) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), the head of each Superior Court is responsible to—

(a) ensure that sufficient judges of that court are available to conduct the business of the
court at all times that the court is open for business;

(b) issue directions to the judges of that court with respect to their attendance at the court
and absences from the court during recess periods;

(c) approve any extraordinary absence of a judge from the court; and

(d) keep a register, in the prescribed manner and form, of vacation periods allocated to,
or extraordinary absence approved for, a judge of that court.

10. Finances

Expenditure in connection with the administration and functioning of the Superior Courts must
be defrayed from moneys appropriated by Parliament.

11. Appointment of officers and staff

(1)
(a) Subject to paragraph (b), the Minister must appoint for the Constitutional Court, the
Supreme Court of Appeal and each Division a court manager, one or more assistant
 court managers, a registrar, assistant registrars and other officers and staff whenever
they may be required for the administration of justice or the execution of the powers
and authorities of the said court.

(b) Any appointment by the Minister in terms of paragraph (a) must be made—

(i) in consultation with the head of court; and

(ii) in accordance with the laws governing the public service.

(c) A court manager is the senior executive officer of the court where he or she has been
appointed, and exercises administrative control over the other persons referred to in
paragraph (a), and, under the control and direction of the head of court concerned
performs such other functions as may be determined by the Secretary-General and
the Chief Justice.

(2) Whenever by reason of absence or incapacity any court manager, registrar or assistant
registrar is unable to carry out the functions of his or her office, or if his or her office becomes
vacant, the Minister may, after consultation with the head of court concerned, authorise any
other competent officer in the public service to act in the place of the absent or incapacitated
officer during such absence or incapacity or to act in the vacant office until the vacancy is
filled.

(3) Any person appointed under subsection (1) may hold more than one of the offices mentioned
in that subsection simultaneously.

(4) The Minister may delegate any of the powers vested in him or her under this section to the
Secretary-General.

CHAPTER 4
MANNER OF ARRIVING AT DECISIONS BY SUPERIOR COURTS

12. Manner of arriving at decisions by Constitutional Court

(1) In accordance with section 167(2) of the Constitution, any matter before the Constitutional
Court must be heard by at least eight judges.

(2) If, at any stage after a hearing has commenced, any judge of the Constitutional Court is
absent or unable to perform his or her functions, or if a vacancy among the members of the
court arises, and—
 (a) the remaining members of the court are not less than eight in number—

(i) such hearing must continue before the remaining judges of the court; and

(ii) the decision of the majority of the remaining judges of the court shall, if that
majority is also a majority of the judges of the court before whom the hearing
commenced, be the decision of the court; or

(b) the remaining members of the court are fewer than eight in number, the proceedings
must be stopped and commenced de novo.

(3) No judge may sit at the hearing of an appeal against a judgment or order given in a case
which was heard before him or her.

13. Manner of arriving at decisions by Supreme Court of Appeal

(1) Proceedings of the Supreme Court of Appeal must ordinarily be presided over by five judges,
but the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal may—

(a) direct that an appeal in a criminal or civil matter be heard before a court consisting of
three judges; or

(b) whenever it appears to him or her that any matter should in view of its importance be
heard before a court consisting of a larger number of judges, direct that the matter be
heard before a court consisting of so many judges as he or she may determine.

(2)
(a) The judgment of the majority of the judges presiding at proceedings before the
Supreme Court of Appeal shall be the judgment of the court.

(b) Where there is no judgment to which a majority of such judges agree, the hearing
must be adjourned and commenced de novo before a new court constituted in such
manner as the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal may determine.

(3) If, at any stage after the hearing of an appeal has commenced, a judge of the Supreme Court
of Appeal is absent or unable to perform his or her functions, or if a vacancy among the
members of the court arises—

(a) the hearing must, where the remaining judges constitute a majority of the judges
 before whom the hearing was commenced, proceed before the remaining judges, and
the decision of a majority of the remaining judges who are in agreement shall, if that
majority is also a majority of the judges before whom the hearing was commenced,
be the decision of the court; or

(b) in any other case, the appeal must be heard de novo, unless all the parties to the
proceedings agree unconditionally in writing to accept the decision of the majority of
the remaining judges or, if only one judge remains, the decision of that judge as the
decision of the court.

(4) Two or more judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal, designated by the President of the
Supreme Court of Appeal, have jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for
interlocutory relief, including applications for condonation and for leave to proceed in forma
pauperis, in chambers.

(5) No judge may sit at the hearing of an appeal against a judgment or order given in a case
which was heard before him or her.

14. Manner of arriving at decisions by Divisions

(1)
(a) Save as provided for in this Act or any other law, a court of a Division must be
constituted before a single judge when sitting as a court of first instance for the
hearing of any civil matter, but the Judge President or, in the absence of both the
Judge President and the Deputy Judge President, the senior available judge, may at
any time direct that any matter be heard by a court consisting of not more than three
judges, as he or she may determine.

(b) A single judge of a Division may, in consultation with the Judge President or, in the
absence of both the Judge President and the Deputy Judge President, the senior
available judge, at any time discontinue the hearing of any civil matter which is being
heard before him or her and refer it for hearing to the full court of that Division as
contemplated in paragraph (a).

(2) For the hearing of any criminal case as a court of first instance, a court of a Division must be
constituted in the manner prescribed in the applicable law relating to procedure in criminal
matters.

(3) Except where it is in terms of any law required or permitted to be otherwise constituted, a
court of a Division must be constituted before two judges for the hearing of any civil or
 criminal appeal: Provided that the Judge President or, in the absence of both the Judge
President and the Deputy Judge President, the senior available judge, may in the event of the
judges hearing such appeal not being in agreement, at any time before a judgment is handed
down in such appeal, direct that a third judge be added to hear that appeal.

(4)
(a) Save as otherwise provided for in this Act or any other law, the decision of the
majority of the judges of a full court of a Division is the decision of the court.

(b) Where the majority of the judges of any such court are not in agreement, the hearing
must be adjourned and commenced de novo before a court consisting of three other
judges.

(5) If, at any stage during the hearing of any matter by a full court, any judge of such court is
absent or unable to perform his or her functions, or if a vacancy among the members of the
court arises, that hearing must—

(a) if the remaining judges constitute a majority of the judges before whom it was
commenced, proceed before such remaining judges; or

(b) if the remaining judges do not constitute such a majority, or if only one judge remains,
be commenced de novo, unless all the parties to the proceedings agree
unconditionally in writing to accept the decision of the majority of the remaining
judges or of the one remaining judge as the decision of the court.

(6) The provisions of subsection (4) apply, with the changes required by the context, whenever in
the circumstances set out in subsection (5) a hearing proceeds before two or more judges.

(7) During any recess period, one judge designated by the Judge President shall,
notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law, but subject to subsection (3),
exercise all the powers, jurisdiction and authority of a Division.

(8) No judge may sit at the hearing of an appeal against a judgment or order given in a case
which was heard before him or her.

CHAPTER 5
ORDERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL INVALIDITY, APPEALS AND SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTING
DECISIONS

15. Referral of order of constitutional invalidity to Constitutional Court

(1)
(a) Whenever the Supreme Court of Appeal, a Division of the High Court or any
competent court declares an Act of Parliament, a provincial Act or conduct of the
President invalid as contemplated in section 172(2)(a) of the Constitution, that court
must, in accordance with the rules, refer the order of constitutional invalidity to the
Constitutional Court for confirmation.

(b) Whenever any person or organ of State with a sufficient interest appeals or applies
directly to the Constitutional Court to confirm or vary an order of constitutional
invalidity by a court, as contemplated in section 172(2)(d) of the Constitution, the
Court must deal with the matter in accordance with the rules.

(2) If requested by the Chief Justice to do so, the Minister must appoint counsel to present
argument to the Constitutional Court in respect of any matter referred to in subsection (1).

16. Appeals generally

(1) Subject to section 15(1), the Constitution and any other law—

(a) an appeal against any decision of a Division as a court of first instance lies, upon
leave having been granted—

(i) if the court consisted of a single judge, either to the Supreme Court of Appeal
or to a full court of that Division, depending on the direction issued in terms of
section 17(6); or

(ii) if the court consisted of more than one judge, to the Supreme Court of
Appeal;

(b) an appeal against any decision of a Division on appeal to it, lies to the Supreme Court
of Appeal upon special leave having been granted by the Supreme Court of Appeal;
and

(c) an appeal against any decision of a court of a status similar to the High Court, lies to
the Supreme Court of Appeal upon leave having been granted by that court or the
Supreme Court of Appeal, and the provisions of section 17 apply with the changes
required by the context.

(2)
 (a)
(i) When at the hearing of an appeal the issues are of such a nature that the
decision sought will have no practical effect or result, the appeal may be
dismissed on this ground alone.

(ii) Save under exceptional circumstances, the question whether the decision
would have no practical effect or result is to be determined without reference
to any consideration of costs.

(b) If, at any time prior to the hearing of an appeal, the President of the Supreme Court of
Appeal or the Judge President or the judge presiding, as the case may be, is prima
facie of the view that it would be appropriate to dismiss the appeal on the ground set
out in paragraph (a), he or she must call for written representations from the
respective parties as to why the appeal should not be so dismissed.

(c) Upon receipt of the representations or, failing which, at the expiry of the time
determined for their lodging, the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal or the
Judge President, as the case may be, must refer the matter to three judges for their
consideration.

(d) The judges considering the matter may order that the question whether the appeal
should be dismissed on the ground set out in paragraph (a) be argued before them at
a place and time appointed, and may, whether or not they have so ordered—

(i) order that the appeal be dismissed, with or without an order as to the costs
incurred in any of the courts below or in respect of the costs of appeal,
including the costs in respect of the preparation and lodging of the written
representations; or

(ii) order that the appeal proceed in the ordinary course.

(3) Notwithstanding any other law, no appeal lies from any judgment or order in proceedings in
connection with an application—

(a) by one spouse against the other for maintenance pendente lite;

(b) for contribution towards the costs of a pending matrimonial action;

(c) for the interim custody of a child when a matrimonial action between his or her
parents is pending or is about to be instituted; or
 (d) by one parent against the other for interim access to a child when a matrimonial
action between the parents is pending or about to be instituted.

17. Leave to appeal

(1) Leave to appeal may only be given where the judge or judges concerned are of the opinion
that—

(a)
(i) the appeal would have a reasonable prospect of success; or

(ii) there is some other compelling reason why the appeal should be heard,
including conflicting judgments on the matter under consideration;

(b) the decision sought on appeal does not fall within the ambit of section 16(2)(a); and

(c) where the decision sought to be appealed does not dispose of all the issues in the
case, the appeal would lead to a just and prompt resolution of the real issues
between the parties.

(2)
(a) Leave to appeal may be granted by the judge or judges against whose decision an
appeal is to be made or, if not readily available, by any other judge or judges of the
same court or Division.

(b) If leave to appeal in terms of paragraph (a) is refused, it may be granted by the
Supreme Court of Appeal on application filed with the registrar of that court within one
month after such refusal, or such longer period as may on good cause be allowed,
and the Supreme Court of Appeal may vary any order as to costs made by the judge
or judges concerned in refusing leave.

(c) An application referred to in paragraph (b) must be considered by two judges of the
Supreme Court of Appeal designated by the President of the Supreme Court of
Appeal and, in the case of a difference of opinion, also by the President of the
Supreme Court of Appeal or any other judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal likewise
designated.

(d) The judges considering an application referred to in paragraph (b) may dispose of the
application without the hearing of oral argument, but may, if they are of the opinion
 that the circumstances so require, order that it be argued before them at a time and
place appointed, and may, whether or not they have so ordered, grant or refuse the
application or refer it to the court for consideration.

(e) Where an application has been referred to the court in terms of paragraph (d), the
court may thereupon grant or refuse it.

(f) The decision of the majority of the judges considering an application referred to in
paragraph (b), or the decision of the court, as the case may be, to grant or refuse the
application shall be final: Provided that the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal
may in exceptional circumstances, whether of his or her own accord or on application
filed within one month of the decision, refer the decision to the court for
reconsideration and, if necessary, variation.

(3) An application for special leave to appeal under section 16(1)(b) may be granted by the
Supreme Court of Appeal on application filed with the registrar of that court within one month
after the decision sought to be appealed against, or such longer period as may on good
cause be allowed, and the provisions of subsection (2)(c) to (f) shall apply with the changes
required by the context.

(4) The power to grant leave to appeal—

(a) is not limited by reason only of the fact that the matter in dispute is incapable of being
valued in money; and

(b) is subject to the provisions of any other law which specifically limits it or specifically
grants or limits any right of appeal.

(5) Any leave to appeal may be granted subject to such conditions as the court concerned may
determine, including a condition—

(a) limiting the issues on appeal; or

(b) that the appellant pay the costs of the appeal.

(6)
(a) If leave is granted under subsection (2)(a) or (b) to appeal against a decision of a
Division as a court of first instance consisting of a single judge, the judge or judges
granting leave must direct that the appeal be heard by a full court of that Division,
unless they consider—
 (i) that the decision to be appealed involves a question of law of importance,
whether because of its general application or otherwise, or in respect of
which a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal is required to resolve
differences of opinion; or

(ii) that the administration of justice, either generally or in the particular case,
requires consideration by the Supreme Court of Appeal of the decision,

in which case they must direct that the appeal be heard by the Supreme Court of
Appeal.

(b) Any direction by the court of a Division in terms of paragraph (a), may be set aside by
the Supreme Court of Appeal of its own accord, or on application by any interested
party filed with the registrar within one month after the direction was given, or such
longer period as may on good cause be allowed, and may be replaced by another
direction in terms of paragraph (a).

(7) Subsection (2)(c) to (f) apply with the changes required by the context to any application to
the Supreme Court of Appeal relating to an issue connected with an appeal.

18. Suspension of decision pending appeal

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), and unless the court under exceptional circumstances
orders otherwise, the operation and execution of a decision which is the subject of an
application for leave to appeal or of an appeal, is suspended pending the decision of the
application or appeal.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), unless the court under exceptional circumstances orders otherwise,
the operation and execution of a decision that is an interlocutory order not having the effect of
a final judgment, which is the subject of an application for leave to appeal or of an appeal, is
not suspended pending the decision of the application or appeal.

(3) A court may only order otherwise as contemplated in subsection (1) or (2), if the party who
applied to the court to order otherwise, in addition proves on a balance of probabilities that he
or she will suffer irreparable harm if the court does not so order and that the other party will
not suffer irreparable harm if the court so orders.

(4) If a court orders otherwise, as contemplated in subsection (1)—

 (i) the court must immediately record its reasons for doing so;

(ii) the aggrieved party has an automatic right of appeal to the next highest court;

(iii) the court hearing such an appeal must deal with it as a matter of extreme urgency;
and

(iv) such order will be automatically suspended, pending the outcome of such appeal.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), a decision becomes the subject of an application
for leave to appeal or of an appeal, as soon as an application for leave to appeal or a notice
of appeal is lodged with the registrar in terms of the rules.

19. Powers of court on hearing of appeals

The Supreme Court of Appeal or a Division exercising appeal jurisdiction may, in addition to
any power as may specifically be provided for in any other law—

(a) dispose of an appeal without the hearing of oral argument;

(b) receive further evidence;

(c) remit the case to the court of first instance, or to the court whose decision is the
subject of the appeal, for further hearing, with such instructions as regards the taking
of further evidence or otherwise as the Supreme Court of Appeal or the Division
deems necessary; or

(d) confirm, amend or set aside the decision which is the subject of the appeal and
render any decision which the circumstances may require.

20. Settlement of conflicting decisions in civil cases

Whenever a decision on a question of law is given by a court of a Division which is in conflict

with a decision on the same question of law given by a court of any other Division, the
Minister may submit such conflicting decisions to the Chief Justice, who must cause the
matter to be argued before the Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court of Appeal, as the
case may be, in order to determine the said question of law for guidance.

CHAPTER 6
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO HIGH COURT ONLY
21. Persons over whom and matters in relation to which Divisions have jurisdiction

(1) A Division has jurisdiction over all persons residing or being in, and in relation to all causes
arising and all offences triable within, its area of jurisdiction and all other matters of which it
may according to law take cognisance, and has the power—

(a) to hear and determine appeals from all Magistrates’ Courts within its area of
jurisdiction;

(b) to review the proceedings of all such courts;

(c) in its discretion, and at the instance of any interested person, to enquire into and
determine any existing, future or contingent right or obligation, notwithstanding that
such person cannot claim any relief consequential upon the determination.

(2) A Division also has jurisdiction over any person residing or being outside its area of
jurisdiction who is joined as a party to any cause in relation to which such court has
jurisdiction or who in terms of a third party notice becomes a party to such a cause, if the said
person resides or is within the area of jurisdiction of any other Division.

(3) Subject to section 28 and the powers granted under section 4 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction
Regulation Act, 1983 (Act 105 of 1983), any Division may issue an order for attachment of
property to confirm jurisdiction.

22. Grounds for review of proceedings of Magistrates’ Court

(1) The grounds upon which the proceedings of any Magistrates’ Court may be brought under
review before a court of a Division are—

(a) absence of jurisdiction on the part of the court;

(b) interest in the cause, bias, malice or corruption on the part of the presiding judicial
officer;

(c) gross irregularity in the proceedings; and

(d) the admission of inadmissible or incompetent evidence or the rejection of admissible

or competent evidence.
(2) This section does not affect the provisions of any other law relating to the review of
proceedings in Magistrates’ Courts.

23. Judgment by default

A judgment by default may be granted and entered by the registrar of a Division in the
manner and in the circumstances prescribed in the rules, and a judgment so entered is
deemed to be a judgment of a court of the Division.

23A. Rescission of judgment with consent of plaintiff or where judgment debt has been paid

(1) If a plaintiff in whose favour a default judgment has been granted has consented in writing
that the judgment be rescinded, a court may rescind such judgment on application by any
person affected by it.

(2)
(a) Where a judgment debt, the interest thereon at the rate granted in the judgment and
the costs have been paid, whether the consent of the judgment creditor for the
rescission of the judgment has been obtained or not, a court may, on application by
the judgment debtor or any other person affected by the judgment, rescind that
judgment.

(b) The application contemplated in paragraph (a)—

(i) must be made on a form which corresponds substantially with the form
prescribed in the rules;

(ii) must be accompanied by reasonable proof that the judgment debt, the
interest thereon and the costs have been paid;

(iii) must be accompanied by proof that the application has been served on the
judgment creditor, at least 10 business days prior to the hearing of the
intended application;

(iv) may be set down for hearing on any day, not less than 10 business days after
service thereof; and

(v) may be heard by a judge in chambers.

(c) A court may make any cost order it deems fit with regard to an application
 contemplated in paragraph (a).
[S 23A ins by s 14 of Act 7 of 2017, wef 11 March 2019.]

24. Time allowed for appearance

The time allowed for entering an appearance to a civil summons served outside the area of
jurisdiction of the Division in which it was issued, shall be not less than—

(a) one month if the summons is to be served at a place more than 150 km from the
court out of which it was issued; and

(b) two weeks in any other case.

25. Circumstances in which security for costs shall not be required

If a plaintiff in civil proceedings in a Division resides within the Republic, but outside the area
of jurisdiction of that Division, he or she shall not by reason only of that fact be required to
give security for costs in those proceedings.

26. Disposal of records and execution of judgments of Circuit Courts

(1) Within one month after the termination of the sittings of any Circuit Court, the registrar thereof
must, subject to any directions of the presiding judge or judges, transmit all records in
connection with the proceedings in that court to the registrar of the Supreme Court of Appeal
or the Division concerned, as the case may be, to be filed as records of that Court or Division.

(2) Any judgment, order or sentence of a Circuit Court may, subject to any applicable rules for the
time being in force, be carried into execution by means of process of the Supreme Court of
Appeal or the Division concerned, as the case may be.

27. Removal of proceedings from one Division to another or from one seat to another in
same Division

(1) If any proceedings have been instituted in a Division or at a seat of a Division, and it appears
to the court that such proceedings—

(a) should have been instituted in another Division or at another seat of that Division; or

(b) would be more conveniently or more appropriately heard or determined—

 (i) at another seat of that Division; or

(ii) by another Division,

that court may, upon application by any party thereto and after hearing all other
parties thereto, order such proceedings to be removed to that other Division or seat,
as the case may be.

(2) An order for removal under subsection (1) must be transmitted to the registrar of the court to
which the removal is ordered, and upon the receipt of such order that court may hear and
determine the proceedings in question.

28. Prohibition on attachment to found jurisdiction within Republic

No attachment of property to found jurisdiction shall be ordered by a Division against a person

who is resident in the Republic.

CHAPTER 7
RULES OF COURT

29. Rules of Constitutional Court

(1) The Chief Justice, after consultation with the Minister, makes rules relating to the manner in
which the Constitutional Court may be engaged in any matter, including the matters referred
to in section 172 of the Constitution, and all matters relating to the proceedings of and before
the Court.

(2) The Minister must table every rule and every amendment or repeal thereof in Parliament at
least 30 days before the publication thereof.

(3) The rules must, when it is in the interests of justice and with the leave of the Court, allow a
person—

(a) to bring a matter directly to the Court; or

(b) to appeal directly to the Court from any other court.

[Commencement of s 29: not in force.]

30. Rules of Supreme Court of Appeal and High Court

(1) Rules for the Supreme Court of Appeal, the High Court and the Magistrates’ Courts are made
in accordance with the Rules Board for Courts of Law Act, 1985 (Act 107 of 1985).

(2) The provisions of section 29(2) and (3) also apply to rules referred to in subsection (1).

CHAPTER 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL SUPERIOR COURTS

Part 1
Nature of courts

31. Nature of courts and seals

(1) Every Superior Court is a court of record.

(2) Every Superior Court must have for use, as occasion may require, a seal of such design as
may be prescribed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.

(3) The seal of a Superior Court must be kept in the custody of the Registrar.

32. Proceedings to be carried on in open court

Save as is otherwise provided for in this Act or any other law, all proceedings in any Superior
Court must, except in so far as any such court may in special cases otherwise direct, be
carried on in open court.

33. More than one court may sit at same time

The Supreme Court of Appeal and any Division may at any time sit in so many courts
constituted in the manner provided for in this Act or any other applicable law as the available
judges may allow.

Part 2
Adducing of evidence and procedural matters

34. Certified copies of court records admissible as evidence

Whenever a judgment, order or other record of any Superior Court is required to be proved or
inspected or referred to in any manner, a copy of such judgment, order or other record duly
certified as such by the registrar of that court under its seal shall be prima facie evidence
 thereof without proof of the authenticity of such registrar’s signature.

35. Manner of securing attendance of witnesses or production of any document or thing in

proceedings and penalties for failure

(1) A party to proceedings before any Superior Court in which the attendance of witnesses or the
production of any document or thing is required, may procure the attendance of any witness
or the production of any document or thing in the manner provided for in the rules of that
court.

(2) Whenever any person subpoenaed to attend any proceedings as a witness or to produce any
document or thing—

(a) fails without reasonable excuse to obey the subpoena and it appears from the return
of the person who served such subpoena, or from evidence given under oath, that—

(i) the subpoena was served upon the person to whom it is directed and that his
or her reasonable expenses calculated in accordance with the tariff framed
under section 37(1) have been paid or offered to him or her; or

(ii) he or she is evading service; or

(b) without leave of the court fails to remain in attendance,

the court concerned may issue a warrant directing that he or she be arrested and brought
before the court at a time and place stated in the warrant or as soon thereafter as possible.

(3) A person arrested under any such warrant may be detained thereunder in any prison or other
place of detention or in the custody of the person who is in charge of him or her, with a view
to securing his or her presence as a witness or production of any document or thing at the
proceedings concerned: Provided that any judge of the court concerned may release him or
her on a recognisance with or without sureties to attend as a witness or to produce any
document or thing as required.

(4) Any person subpoenaed to attend any proceedings as a witness or to produce any document
or thing who fails without reasonable excuse to obey such subpoena, is guilty of an offence
and liable upon conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three
months.
(5) If a person who has entered into any recognisance in terms of subsection (3) to attend such
proceedings as a witness or to produce any document or thing fails without reasonable
excuse so to attend or to produce such document or thing, he or she forfeits his or her
recognisance and is guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.

36. Manner in which witness may be dealt with on refusal to give evidence or produce
documents

(1) Whenever any person who appears either in obedience to a subpoena or by virtue of a
warrant issued under section 35 or who is present and is verbally required by the Superior
Court concerned to give evidence in any proceedings—

(a) refuses to take an oath or to make an affirmation;

(b) having taken an oath or having made an affirmation, refuses to answer such
questions as are put to him or her; or

(c) refuses or fails to produce any document or thing which he or she is required to
produce,

without any just excuse for such refusal or failure, the court may adjourn the proceedings for
any period not exceeding eight days and may, in the meantime, by warrant commit the person
so refusing or failing to prison unless the person consents to do what is required of him or her
before he or she is so committed to prison.

(2) If any person referred to in subsection (1) again refuses at the resumed hearing of the
proceedings to do what is so required of him or her, the court may again adjourn the
proceedings and commit him or her for a like period and so again from time to time until such
person consents to do what is required of him or her.

(3) Nothing contained in this section prevents the court from giving judgment in any matter or
otherwise disposing of the proceedings according to any other sufficient evidence taken.

(4) No person is bound to produce any document or thing not specified or otherwise sufficiently
described in the subpoena unless he or she actually has it in court.

(5) When a subpoena is issued to procure the attendance of any person as a witness or to
produce any book, paper or document in any proceedings, and it appears that—
 (a) he or she is unable to give any evidence or to produce any book, paper or document
which would be relevant to any issue in such proceedings; or

(b) such book, paper or document could properly be produced by some other person; or

(c) to compel him or her to attend would be an abuse of the process of the court,

any judge of the court concerned may, notwithstanding anything contained in this section,
after reasonable notice by the Registrar to the party who sued out the subpoena and after
hearing that party in chambers if he or she appears, make an order cancelling such
subpoena.

37. Witness fees

(1) The Minister may, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, by notice in
the Gazette prescribe a tariff of allowances which must be paid to a witness in civil
proceedings or to any person who is to accompany any such witness on account of the youth
or infirmity due to old age or any disability of such witness.

(2) Such notice may differentiate between persons according to—

(a) the distances which they have to travel to attend the court to which they are
summoned or subpoenaed; or

(b) their professions, callings or occupations,

and may empower such officers in the service of the State as may be specified therein to
order payment of allowances in accordance with a higher tariff than the tariff so prescribed in
cases where payment of allowances in accordance with the prescribed tariff may cause
undue hardship.

(3) Notwithstanding any other law, a Superior Court may order that no allowances or only a
portion of the allowances prescribed shall be paid to any witness.
[Commencement of s 37: not in force.]

38. Reference of particular matters for investigation by referee

(1) The Constitutional Court and, in any civil proceedings, any Division may, with the consent of
the parties, refer—
 (a) any matter which requires extensive examination of documents or a scientific,
technical or local investigation which in the opinion of the court cannot be
conveniently conducted by it; or

(b) any matter which relates wholly or in part to accounts; or

(c) any other matter arising in such proceedings,

for enquiry and report to a referee appointed by the parties, and the court may adopt the
report of any such referee, either wholly or in part, and either with or without modifications, or
may remit such report for further enquiry or report or consideration by such referee, or make
such other order in regard thereto as may be necessary or desirable.

(2) Any such report or any part thereof which is adopted by the court, whether with or without
modifications, shall have effect as if it were a finding by the court in the proceedings in
question.

(3) Any such referee shall for the purpose of such enquiry have such powers and must conduct
the enquiry in such manner as may be prescribed by a special order of the court or by the
rules of the court.

(4) For the purpose of procuring the attendance of any witness (including any witness detained in
custody under any law) and the production of any document or thing before a referee, an
enquiry under this section shall be deemed to be civil proceedings.

(5)
(a) Any person summoned to attend as a witness or to produce any document or thing
before a referee and who, without sufficient cause—

(i) fails to attend at the time and place specified;

(ii) fails to remain in attendance until the conclusion of the enquiry or until he or
she is excused by the referee from further attendance;

(iii) refuses to take an oath or to make an affirmation as a witness; or

(iv) having taken an oath or made an affirmation, fails to—

(aa) answer fully and satisfactorily any question put to him or her; or
 (bb) produce any document or thing in his or her possession or custody,
or under his or her control, which he or she was summoned to
produce,

is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for

a period not exceeding three months.

(b) Any person who, after having taken an oath or having made an affirmation, gives
false evidence before a referee at an enquiry, knowing such evidence to be false or
not knowing or believing it to be true, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to
the penalties prescribed by law for perjury.

(6) Any referee is entitled to such remuneration as may be prescribed by the rules or, if no such
remuneration has been so prescribed, as the court may determine and to any reasonable
expenditure incurred by him or her for the purposes of the enquiry, and any such
remuneration and expenditure must be taxed by the taxing master of the court and shall be
costs in the cause.

39. Examination by interrogatories

(1) The Constitutional Court and, in connection with any civil proceedings pending before it, any
Division, may order that the evidence of a person be taken by means of interrogatories if—

(a) in the case of the Constitutional Court, the court deems it in the interests of justice; or

(b) in the case of a Division, that person resides or is for the time being outside the area
of jurisdiction of the court.

(2) Whenever an order is made under subsection (1), the registrar of the court must certify that
fact and transmit a copy of his or her certificate to a commissioner of the court, together with
any interrogatories duly and lawfully framed which it is desired to put to the said person and
the fees and the amount of the expenses payable to the said person for his or her
appearance as hereinafter provided.

(3) Upon receipt of the certificate, the interrogatories and the amounts contemplated in
subsection (2), the commissioner must, in respect of the person concerned—

(a) summon that person to appear before him or her;

(b) upon his or her appearance, take that person’s evidence as if he or she was a
 witness in a civil case in the said court;

(c) put to him or her the said interrogatories, with any other questions calculated to
obtain full and true answers to the said interrogatories;

(d) take down or cause to be taken down the evidence so obtained; and

(e) transmit the evidence, certified as correct, to the registrar of the court wherein the
proceedings in question are pending.

(4) The commissioner must further transmit to the said registrar a certificate showing the amount
paid to the person concerned in respect of the expenses of his or her appearance, and the
cost of the issue and service of the process for summoning such person before him or her.

(5) Any person summoned to appear in terms of subsection (3) who without reasonable excuse
fails to appear at the time and place mentioned in the summons, is guilty of an offence and
liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.

(6) Any interrogatories taken and certified under the provisions of this section shall, subject to all
lawful exceptions, be received as evidence in the proceedings concerned.

40. Manner of dealing with commissions rogatoire, letters of request and documents for
service originating from foreign countries

(1) Whenever a commission rogatoire or letter of request in connection with any civil proceedings
received from any State or territory or court outside the Republic, is transmitted to the
registrar of a Division by the Director-General of the Department, together with a translation in
English if the original is in any other language, and an intimation that the Minister considers it
desirable that effect should be given thereto without requiring an application to be made to
such court by the agents, if any, of the parties to the action or matter, the registrar must
submit the same to a judge in chambers in order to give effect to such
commission rogatoire or letter of request.

(2) Whenever a request for the service on a person in the Republic of any civil process or citation
received from any State, territory or court outside the Republic, is transmitted to the registrar
of a Division by the Director-General of the Department, together with a translation in English
if the original is in any other language, and an intimation that the Minister considers it
desirable that effect should be given thereto, the registrar must cause service of the said
process or citation to be effected in accordance with the rules by the sheriff or a deputy sheriff
or any person specially appointed thereto by a judge of the court concerned.
(3) The registrar concerned must, after effect has been given to any such commission rogatoire,
letter of request, process or citation, return all relevant documents, duly verified in accordance
with the rules of court, to the Director-General of the Department for transmission.

(4) Except where the Minister directs otherwise, no fees other than disbursements shall be
recovered from any State, territory or court on whose behalf any service referred to in this
section has been performed.

41. Court may order removal of certain persons

(1) Any person who, during the sitting of any Superior Court—

(a) wilfully insults any member of the court or any officer of the court present at the
sitting, or who wilfully hinders or obstructs any member of any Superior Court or any
officer thereof in the exercise of his or her powers or the performance of his or her
duties;

(b) wilfully interrupts the proceedings of the court or otherwise misbehaves himself or
herself in the place where the sitting of the court is held; or

(c) does anything calculated improperly to influence any court in respect of any matter
being or to be considered by the court,

may, by order of the court, be removed and detained in custody until the court adjourns.

(2) Removal and detention in terms of subsection (1) does not preclude the prosecution in a court
of law of the person concerned on a charge of contempt of court.

Part 3
Process of Superior Courts

42. Scope and execution of process

(1) The process of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal runs throughout the
Republic, and their judgments and orders must, subject to any applicable rules of court, be
executed in any area in like manner as if they were judgments or orders of the Division or the
Magistrates’ Court having jurisdiction in such area.
(2) The civil process of a Division runs throughout the Republic and may be served or executed
within the jurisdiction of any Division.

(3) Any warrant or other process for the execution of a judgment given or order issued against
any juristic person, partnership or firm may be executed by attachment of the property or
assets of such juristic person, partnership or firm.

43. Execution of process by sheriff

(1) The sheriff must, subject to the applicable rules, execute all sentences, judgments, writs,
summonses, rules, orders, warrants, commands and processes of any Superior Court
directed to the sheriff and must make return of the manner of execution thereof to the court
and to the party at whose instance they were issued.

(2) The return of the sheriff or a deputy sheriff of what has been done upon any process of a
court, shall be prima facie evidence of the matters therein stated.

(3) The sheriff must receive and cause to be detained all persons arrested by order of the court
or committed to his or her custody by any competent authority.

(4) A refusal by the sheriff or a deputy sheriff to do any act which he or she is by law required to
do, is subject to review by the court concerned on application ex parte or on notice as the
circumstances may require.

44. Electronic transmission of summonses, writs and other process

[Section heading subs by s 40(a) of Act 8 of 2017, wef 2 August 2017.]

(1)
(a) In any civil proceedings, any summons, writ, warrant, rule, order, notice, document or
other process of a Superior Court, or any other communication which by any law, rule
or agreement of parties is required or directed to be served or executed upon any
person, or left at the house or place of abode or business of any person, in order that
such person may be affected thereby, may be transmitted by facsimile, or by means
of any other electronic medium, to the person who must serve or execute such
process or communication.
[S 44(1)(a) subs by s 40(b) of Act 8 of 2017, wef 2 August 2017.]

(b) The document received or printed as a result of the transmission contemplated in

paragraph (a) is of the same force and effect as the original thereof.
[S 44(1)(b) subs by s 40(b) of Act 8, wef 2 August 2017 of 2017.]
(2) A notice transmitted by facsimile, or any other electronic medium as contemplated in
subsection (1)—

(a) from any judicial or police officer, registrar, assistant registrar, sheriff, deputy sheriff
or clerk of the court; and

(b) stating that a warrant or writ has been issued for the arrest or apprehension of any
person required to appear in or to answer any civil suit, action or proceeding,

is sufficient authority to any officer authorised by law to execute any such warrant or writ for
the arrest and detention of such person.

[S 44(1) am by s 40(c) of Act 8 of 2017, wef 2 August 2017.]

(3)
(a) A person arrested as contemplated in subsection (2) may be detained for the shortest
period reasonably necessary, but not exceeding 48 hours, in order to bring the
person before a judge of a Superior Court.

(b) The judge referred to in paragraph (a) must make an order regarding the attendance
by the person in question of any further court proceedings and warn the person that
any failure to abide by the order is an offence punishable by a fine or by
imprisonment not exceeding one year.

(c) Any person who fails to abide by an order referred to in paragraph (b), is guilty of an
offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment not exceeding one year.

45. Property not liable to be seized in execution

The sheriff or a deputy-sheriff may not seize in execution of any process such belongings of
the debtor as prescribed, but the Court concerned may in exceptional circumstances and on
such conditions as it may determine, in its discretion allow a specific deviation from the
prescribed provisions.
[Commencement of s 45: not in force.]

46. Offences relating to execution

Any person who—

 (a) obstructs a sheriff or deputy sheriff in the execution of his or her duty;

(b) being aware that goods are under arrest, interdict or attachment by a Superior Court,
destroys or disposes of those goods in a manner not authorised by law, or knowingly
permits those goods, if in his or her possession or under his or her control, to be
destroyed or disposed of in such a manner;

(c) being a judgment debtor and being required by a sheriff or deputy sheriff to point out
property to satisfy a warrant issued in execution of judgment against that person—

(i) falsely declares to the sheriff or deputy sheriff that he or she possesses no
property or insufficient property to satisfy the warrant; or

(ii) although knowing of such property, neglects or refuses to point out that
property or to deliver it to the sheriff or deputy sheriff when requested to do
so; or

(d) being a judgment debtor, refuses or neglects to comply with any requirement of a sheriff or
deputy sheriff in regard to the delivery of documents in his or her possession or under his or
her control relating to the title of immovable property under execution,

is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
one year.

47. Issuing of summons or subpoena in civil proceedings against judge

(1) Notwithstanding any other law, no civil proceedings by way of summons or notice of motion
may be instituted against any judge of a Superior Court, and no subpoena in respect of civil
proceedings may be served on any judge of a Superior Court, except with the consent of the
head of that court or, in the case of a head of court or the Chief Justice, with the consent of
the Chief Justice or the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, as the case may be.

(2) Where the issuing of a summons or subpoena against a judge to appear in a civil action has
been consented to, the date upon which such judge must attend court must be determined in
consultation with the relevant head of court.

48. Acting judges of Superior Courts

Any person who has been appointed as an acting judge of a Superior Court must be regarded
 as having been appointed also for any period during which he or she is necessarily engaged
in the disposal of any proceedings in which he or she has participated as such a judge,
including an application for leave to appeal that has not yet been disposed of at the expiry of
his or her period of appointment.

49. Regulations

(1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Chief Justice, make regulations regarding—

(a) any matter that may be necessary or expedient to prescribe regarding the
administrative functions of courts and the efficient and effective functioning and
administration of the courts, including the furnishing of periodical returns of statistics
relating to any aspect of the functioning and administration of courts and the
performance of judicial functions;

(b) the criteria to be applied for determining the number of judges to be appointed to the
Supreme Court of Appeal and to any specific Division;

(c) any protocol to be observed in respect of any process of consultation required in

terms of this Act;

(d) the determination of recess periods of the Superior Courts;

(e) property not liable to be seized in execution, as contemplated in section 45;

(f) the manner in which representatives of the magistracy must be engaged in the
application of section 8.

(2) Any regulation made under subsection (1) must be submitted to Parliament before publication
thereof in the Gazette.

CHAPTER 9
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS, AMENDMENT AND REPEAL OF LAWS, AND COMMENCEMENT

50. Existing High Courts

(1) On the date of the commencement of this Act, but subject to the issuing of any notice referred
to in section 6(3)(a) or (c), the—

(a) Eastern Cape High Court, Bhisho, becomes a local seat of the Eastern Cape
 Division;

(b) Eastern Cape High Court, Grahamstown, becomes the main seat of the Eastern
Cape Division;

(c) Eastern Cape High Court, Mthatha, becomes a local seat of the Eastern Cape
Division;

(d) Eastern Cape High Court, Port Elizabeth, becomes a local seat of the Eastern Cape
Division;

(e) Free State High Court, Bloemfontein, becomes the main seat of the Free State
Division;

(f) KwaZulu-Natal High Court, Durban, becomes a local seat of the KwaZulu-Natal
Division;

(g) KwaZulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg, becomes the main seat of the KwaZulu-
Natal Division;

(h) Limpopo High Court, Thohoyandou, subject to subsection (2), becomes a local seat
of the Limpopo Division;

(i) Northern Cape High Court, Kimberley, becomes the main seat of the Northern Cape
Division;

(j) North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, becomes the main seat of the Gauteng Division;

(k) North West High Court, Mahikeng, becomes the main seat of the North West
Division;

(l) South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, becomes a local seat of the Gauteng
Division; and

(m) Western Cape High Court, Cape Town, becomes the main seat of the Western Cape
Division,

of the High Court of South Africa, and the area of jurisdiction of each of those courts becomes
the area of jurisdiction or part of the area of jurisdiction, as the case may be, of the Division in
question.
(2) Notwithstanding section 6(1), the Gauteng Division shall also function as the Limpopo and
Mpumalanga Divisions, respectively, until a notice published in terms of section 6(3) in
respect of those Divisions comes into operation.

(3) Any circuit court established under any law repealed by this Act and in existence immediately
before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have been duly established in
terms of this Act as a Circuit Court of the Division concerned.

(4) Any person holding office as the Judge President, a Deputy Judge President or a judge of a
High Court referred to in subsection (1) when this Act takes effect, becomes the Judge
President, a Deputy Judge President or a judge of the Division in question, as the case may
be.

(5) The President may, with the view to facilitating and promoting the effective and efficient
administration of justice in the Divisions established in terms of this Act, after consultation with
the Chief Justice and the Minister, and with the consent of the judge concerned, transfer any
judge of a Division to the Limpopo, Mpumalanga or North West Division.

51. Rules in existence immediately before commencement of Act

The rules applicable to the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and the various
High Courts immediately before the commencement of this section remain in force to the
extent that they are not inconsistent with this Act, until repealed or amended.

52. Pending proceedings when Act commences

(1) Subject to section 27, proceedings pending in any court at the commencement of this Act,
must be continued and concluded as if this Act had not been passed.

(2) Proceedings must, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to be pending if, at the
commencement of this Act, a summons had been issued but judgment had not been passed.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) are also applicable, with the changes required by the context, in
respect of proceedings pending on the date when a notice contemplated in section 50(2)
comes into operation.

53. References in other laws

Any reference in any law—

 (a) to the Supreme Court Act, 1959, or a provision of the said Act, must be construed as
a reference to this Act or a corresponding provision of this Act;

(b) to a Supreme Court, a High Court, or a provincial or local division of a Supreme

Court, must be construed as a reference to the High Court of South Africa or a
Division referred to in this Act, as the context may require; and

(c) to the Appellate Division of a Supreme Court, must be construed as a reference to

the Supreme Court of Appeal.

54. Financial accountability

(1) The Minister must consider and address requests for funds needed for the administration and
functioning of the Superior Courts, as determined by the Chief Justice after consultation with
the other heads of Court, in the manner prescribed for the budgetary processes of
departments of State.

(2) The Secretary-General, as accounting officer of the Office of the Chief Justice in terms of the
Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999), is charged with the responsibility of
accounting for money received or paid out for or on account of the administration and
functioning of the Superior Courts, and must cause the necessary accounting and other
related records to be kept, in terms of that Act.

55. Repeal and amendment of laws

(1) The laws mentioned—

(a) in Schedule 1 are hereby repealed to the extent set out in the fourth column of that
Schedule;

(b) in Schedule 2 are hereby amended to the extent set out in the fourth column of that
Schedule.

(2) Anything done under any provision of a law repealed or amended by subsection (1), shall, in
so far as it may be necessary or appropriate, be deemed to have been done under the
corresponding provision of this Act.

56. Short title

This Act is called the Superior Courts Act, 2013.

SCHEDULE 1
LAWS REPEALED
[Section 55(1)(a)]

Item No. and year of law Short title Extent of repeal

No.

1 Act 59 of 1959 Supreme Court Act, 1959 The whole

2 Act 59 of 1959 (Venda) Supreme Court Act, 1959 The whole

3 Act 15 of 1969 Establishment of the Northern Cape The whole

Division of the Supreme Court of South
Africa Act, 1969

4 Act 15 of 1976 Republic of Transkei Constitution Act, Sections 44 up to

(Transkei) 1976 and including 53

5 Act 18 of 1977 Republic of Bophuthatswana Constitution Sections 59 up to

(Bophuthatswana) Act, 1977 and including 67

6 Act 9 of 1979 (Venda) Republic of Venda Constitution Act, 1979 Sections 42 up to

and including
section 52

7 Act 32 of 1982 Supreme Court of Bophuthatswana Act, The whole

(Bophuthatswana) 1982

8 Act 5 of 1983 Supreme Court Act, 1983 The whole

(Transkei)

9 Decree 43 of 1990 Supreme Court Decree, 1990 The whole

(Ciskei)

10 Decree 45 of 1990 Republic of Ciskei Constitution Decree, Sections 27 and 28

(Ciskei) 1990

11 Act 13 of 1995 Constitutional Court Complementary Act, The whole

1995
[Commencement of item 11: not in force.]
12 Act 41 of 2001 Interim Rationalisation of Jurisdiction of The whole
High Courts Act, 2001

13 Act 30 of 2008 Renaming of High Courts Act, 2008 The whole

SCHEDULE 2
LAWS AMENDED
[Section 55(1)(b)]
Item No. and year Short title Extent of amendment
No. of law

1 Act 107 of Rules Board 1 Amendment of section 3 by the substitution for

1985 for Courts of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of the following
Law Act, 1985 paragraph—
(a) “the Chief Justice as the chairperson;”.
[Commencement of item 1.1: not in force.]

2 Amends section 6, as follows—

paragraph (a) substitutes in subsection (1) the
words preceding paragraph (a); paragraph (b)
substitutes subsection (1)(e); paragraph (c)
substitutes subsection (1)(p); paragraph (d)
substitutes subsection (1)(t); paragraph (e)
substitutes subsection (2)(a); paragraph (f) deletes
subsection (2)(b)(i); and paragraph (g) substitutes
subsection (2)(b)(ii).
2 Act 66 of Labour 1 Amends section 151 by substituting subsection (2).
1995 Relations Act,
1995
2 Amends section 154, as follows—
paragraph (a) substitutes subsection (1); paragraph
(b) substitutes subsection (2); paragraph (c) deletes
subsection (3); paragraph (d) substitutes subsection
(4); paragraph (e) substitutes subsection (5);
paragraph (f) deletes subsection (7); paragraph (g)
substitutes subsection (9); and paragraph (h) adds
subsection (10).
3 Amends section 170, as follows—
paragraph (a) substitutes subsection (2); paragraph
(b) substitutes subsection (4); and paragraph (c)
deletes subsection (5).