# Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993/1996-03-29/Chapter 7

Chapter 7
The Judicial Authority and the Administration of Justice
Judicial authority
96. (1) The judicial authority of the Republic shall vest in the courts established by this Constitution and any other law.
(2) The judiciary shall be independent, impartial and subject only to this Constitution and the law.
(3) No person and no organ of state shall interfere with judicial officers in the performance of their functions.
Appointment of Chief Justice and President of Constitutional Court
97. (1) There shall be a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Africa, who shall, subject to section 104, be appointed by the President in consultation with the Cabinet and after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission.
(2) (a) There shall be a President of the Constitutional Court, who shall, subject to section 99, be appointed by the President in consultation with the Cabinet and after consultation with the Chief Justice.
(b) Unless the new constitutional text provides otherwise, the President of the Constitutional Court shall hold office for a non-renewable period of seven years.
Constitutional Court and its jurisdiction
98. (1) There shall be a Constitutional Court consisting of a President and 10 other judges appointed in terms of section 99.
(2) The Constitutional Court shall have jurisdiction in the Republic as the court of final instance over all matters relating to the interpretation, protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Constitution, including—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(3) The Constitutional Court shall be the only court having jurisdiction over a matter referred to in subsection (2), save where otherwise provided in sections 101(3) and (6) and 103(1) and in an Act of Parliament.
(4) A decision of the Constitutional Court shall bind all persons and all legislative, executive and judicial organs of state.
(5) In the event of the Constitutional Court finding that any law or any provision thereof is inconsistent with this Constitution, it shall declare such law or provision invalid to the extent of its inconsistency: Provided that the Constitutional Court may, in the interests of justice and good government, require Parliament or any other competent authority, within a period specified by the Court, to correct the defect in the law or provision, which shall then remain in force pending correction or the expiry of the period so specified.
(6) Unless the Constitutional Court in the interests of justice and good government orders otherwise, and save to the extent that it so orders, the declaration of invalidity of a law or a provision thereof—
(a)
(b)
(7) In the event of the Constitutional Court declaring an executive or administrative act or conduct or threatened executive or administrative act or conduct of an organ of state to be unconstitutional, it may order the relevant organ of state to refrain from such act or conduct, or, subject to such conditions and within such time as may be specified by it, to correct such act or conduct in accordance with this Constitution.
(8) The Constitutional Court may in respect of the proceedings before it make such order as to costs as it may deem just and equitable in the circumstances.
(9) The Constitutional Court shall exercise jurisdiction in any dispute referred to in subsection (2)(d) only at the request of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate or the Speaker of a provincial legislature, who shall make such a request to the Court upon receipt of a petition by at least one-third of all the members of the National Assembly, the Senate or such provincial legislature, as the case may be, requiring him or her to do so.
Composition of Constitutional Court and appointment of judges of Constitutional Court
99. (1) Unless the new constitutional text provides otherwise, the judges of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed by the President for a non-renewable period of seven years.
(2) No person shall be qualified to be appointed President or a judge of the Constitutional Court unless he or she—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(i)
(ii)
(3) Four judges of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed from among the judges of the Supreme Court by the President in consultation with the Cabinet and with the Chief Justice.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), six judges of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Cabinet and after consultation with the President of the Constitutional Court: Provided that not more than two persons may be appointed from the category of persons referred to in subsection (2)(c)(ii).
(5) (a) Subject to subsection (6), an appointment or appointments under section 97(2) or subsection (4) or (7) of this section shall only be made from the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission, and with due regard to its reasons for such recommendations, of not more than three nominees in excess of the number of persons required to be appointed: Provided that in respect of the first appointment after the commencement of this Constitution of the six judges referred to in subsection (4), the Judicial Service Commission shall submit a list of ten nominees.
(b) If the appointing authorities decide not to accept any or some of such recommendations, the Judicial Service Commission shall be informed thereof and be furnished with the reasons therefor.
(c) After having been informed in terms of paragraph (b), the Judicial Service Commission shall, in accordance with paragraph (a), submit further recommendations, whereafter the appointing authorities shall make the appointment or appointments from the recommendations as supplemented in terms of this paragraph.
(d) In submitting its recommendations to the appointing authorities in terms of paragraphs (a) and (c) the Judicial Service Commission shall have regard to the need to constitute a court which is independent and competent and representative in respect of race and gender.
(6) Subsection (5) shall not apply to the first appointment after the commencement of this Constitution of the President of the Constitutional Court under section 97(2).
(7) Vacancies in the Constitutional Court shall be filled—
(a)
(b)
(8) Whenever the President of the Constitutional Court is absent or unable to perform his or her functions, or if the office of President of the Constitutional Court becomes vacant, the President may in consultation with the Cabinet and after consultation with the Chief Justice and, if he or she is available, the President of the Constitutional Court, appoint a judge of the Constitutional Court as Acting President of the Constitutional Court for the period of absence or inability of the President of the Constitutional Court or until the vacancy is filled.
(9) Whenever a judge of the Constitutional Court is absent or unable to perform his or her functions, or if a vacancy among the judges of the Constitutional Court arises, the President may, on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for the administration of justice made in consultation with the President of the Constitutional Court and the Chief Justice, appoint any person qualified in terms of subsection (2), as an acting judge of the Constitutional Court for the period of absence or inability of the judge concerned or until the vacancy is filled: Provided that at all times at least four judges of the Constitutional Court, including acting judges, shall be judges who have been appointed from among the judges of the Supreme Court.
(10) A person may be appointed as Acting President or acting judge of the Constitutional Court irrespective of whether he or she was appointed on a previous occasion as Acting President or acting judge of the Constitutional Court: Provided that no person shall act as an acting judge for a period exceeding six months.
(11) Any appointment made under this section shall be deemed to have been made also in respect of any period during which the person appointed is necessarily engaged in connection with the disposal of any proceedings in which he or she has participated as a judge of the Constitutional Court and which have not yet been disposed of at the expiry of the period for which he or she was appointed.
(12) (a) The President shall, at the request of the President of the Constitutional Court, appoint a Deputy President of the Constitutional Court from among the judges of that Court.
(b) A Deputy President of the Constitutional Court may be appointed for the duration of his or her term of office as a judge of the Constitutional Court or for such shorter period as the President may determine.
(c) A Deputy President of the Constitutional Court shall—
(i)
(ii)
Engaging the Constitutional Court
100. (1) The conditions upon which the Constitutional Court may be seized of any matter within its jurisdiction, and all matters relating to the proceedings of and before the Court, shall be regulated by rules prescribed by the President of the Constitutional Court in consultation with the Chief Justice, which rules shall be published in the Gazette.
(2) The rules of the Constitutional Court may make provision for direct access to the Court where it is in the interest of justice to do so in respect of any matter over which it has jurisdiction.
(3) (a) Subject to the provisions of the Constitutional Court Complementary Act, 1995 (Act No. 13 of 1995), and the rules of the Constitutional Court, matters which come before the Court shall be heard and determined by the President of the Constitutional Court and all the judges of the Court.
(b) Whenever a member 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, the remaining members of the Court may hear and determine any matter: Provided that no matter shall be heard and determined by less than eight members of the Court.
(c) If, at any stage of a hearing, a member 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—
(i)
(aa)
(bb)
(ii)
Supreme Court
101. (1) There shall, subject to sections 241 and 242, be a Supreme Court of South Africa, which shall consist of an Appellate Division and such provincial and local divisions, and with such areas of jurisdiction, as may be prescribed by law.
(2) Subject to this Constitution, the Supreme Court shall have the jurisdiction, including the inherent jurisdiction, vested in the Supreme Court immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, and any further jurisdiction conferred upon it by this Constitution or by any law.
(3) Subject to this Constitution, a provincial or local division of the Supreme Court shall, within its area of jurisdiction, have jurisdiction in respect of the following additional matters, namely—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(4) For the purposes of exercising its jurisdiction under subsection (3), a provincial or local division of the Supreme Court shall have the powers of the Constitutional Court in terms of section 98(5), (6), (7), (8) and (9) relating to the interpretation, protection and enforcement of this Constitution.
(5) The Appellate Division shall have no jurisdiction to adjudicate any matter within the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court.
(6) If the parties to a matter falling outside the additional jurisdiction of a provincial or local division of the Supreme Court in terms of subsection (3), agree thereto, a provincial or local division shall, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, have jurisdiction to determine such matter: Provided that a provincial or local division shall not acquire jurisdiction in terms of this subsection with regard to any matter referred to in section 102(12).
(7) Any division of the Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to grant an interim interdict or similar relief, pending the determination by the Constitutional Court of any matter referred to in section 98(2), notwithstanding that such interdict or relief might have the effect of suspending or otherwise interfering with the application of the provisions of an Act of Parliament.
Procedural matters
102. (1) If, in any matter before a provincial or local division of the Supreme Court, there is an issue which may be decisive for the case, and which falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court in terms of section 98(2) and (3), the provincial or local division concerned shall, if it considers it to be in the interest of justice to do so, refer such matter to the Constitutional Court for its decision: Provided that, if it is necessary for evidence to be heard for the purposes of deciding such issue, the provincial or local division concerned shall hear such evidence and make a finding thereon, before referring the matter to the Constitutional Court.
(2) If, in any matter before a local or provincial division, there is any issue other than an issue referred to the Constitutional Court in terms of subsection (1), the provincial or local division shall, if it refers the relevant issue to the Constitutional Court, suspend the proceedings before it, pending the decision of the Constitutional Court.
(3) If, in any matter before a provincial or local division, there are both constitutional and other issues, the provincial or local division concerned shall, if it does not refer an issue to the Constitutional Court, hear the matter, make findings of fact which may be relevant to a constitutional issue within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court, and give a decision on such issues as are within its jurisdiction.
(4) An appeal shall lie to the Appellate Division against a decision of a provincial or local division in terms of subsection (3).
(5) If the Appellate Division is able to dispose of an appeal brought in terms of subsection (4), without dealing with any constitutional issue that has been raised, it shall do so.
(6) If it is necessary for the purposes of disposing of the said appeal for the constitutional issue to be decided, the Appellate Division shall refer such issue to the Constitutional Court for its decision.
(7) The Chief Justice and the President of the Constitutional Court shall jointly make rules to facilitate the procedure for dealing with appeals in which there are both constitutional and other issues, which may provide for the constitutional issues to be referred to the Constitutional Court before or after any such appeal has been heard by the Appellate Division.
(8) If any division of the Supreme Court disposes of a matter in which a constitutional issue has been raised and such court is of the opinion that the constitutional issue is of such public importance that a ruling should be given thereon, it may, notwithstanding the fact that the matter has been disposed of, refer such issue to the Constitutional Court for a decision.
(9) When a constitutional issue has been referred to the Constitutional Court by a division of the Supreme Court in terms of subsection (8), the Minister responsible for the administration of justice shall, at the request of the President of the Constitutional Court, appoint counsel to argue such constitutional issue.
(10) If the validity of a law is in dispute in any matter, and a relevant government is not a party to the proceedings, it shall be entitled to intervene as a party before the court in question, or shall be entitled to submit written argument to the said court.
(11) Appeals to the Appellate Division and the Constitutional Court shall be regulated by law, including the rules of such courts, which may provide that leave of the court from which the appeal is brought, or to which the appeal is noted, shall be required as a condition for such appeal.
(12) Appeals arising from matters referred to in section 101(3) and which relate to issues of constitutionality shall lie to the Constitutional Court.
(13) If a dispute arises between organs of state (other than a dispute referred to in section 101(3)(d)) regarding the question whether or not any executive or administrative act or conduct or any threatened executive or administrative act or conduct of one of those organs is consistent with this Constitution, the organ disputing the validity of the act or conduct may apply to a provincial or local division to refer the question of the validity of such act or conduct to the Constitutional Court for its decision.
(14) If the provincial or local division concerned is of the opinion that the act or conduct or threatened act or conduct referred to in subsection (13) may be unconstitutional, it shall refer the matter to the Constitutional Court.
(15) If evidence is necessary for the purpose of deciding a matter referred to in subsections (13) and (14), the provincial or local division concerned shall hear such evidence and make a finding thereon, before referring such matter to the Constitutional Court.
(16) A decision not to refer a matter to the Constitutional Court in terms of subsection (14), shall be appealable to the Constitutional Court.
(17) If, in any matter before a provincial or local division, the only issue raised is a constitutional issue within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court in terms of section 98(2) and (3), a refusal to refer such issue to the Constitutional Court shall be appealable to the Constitutional Court.
Other courts
103. (1) The establishment, jurisdiction, composition and functioning of all other courts shall, subject to sections 241 and 242, be as prescribed by or under a law.
(2) If in any proceedings before a court referred to in subsection (1), it is alleged that any law or provision of such law is invalid on the ground of its inconsistency with a provision of this Constitution and the court does not have the competency to enquire into the validity of such a law or provision, the court shall, subject to the other provisions of this section, decide the matter on the assumption that the law or provision is valid.
(3) If in any proceedings before a court referred to in subsection (1), the presiding officer is of the opinion that it is in the interest of justice to do so, he or she may postpone the proceedings to enable the party who has alleged that a relevant law or provision is invalid, to apply to a provincial or local division of the Supreme Court for relief in terms of subsection (4).
(4) If the provincial or local division hearing an application referred to in subsection (3), is of the opinion that a decision regarding the validity of the law or provision is material to the adjudication of the matter before the court referred to in subsection (1), and that there is a reasonable prospect that the relevant law or provision will be held to be invalid, and that it is in the interest of justice to do so, the provincial or local division shall—
(a)
(b)
Appointment, removal from office and remuneration of judges
104. (1) Judges of the Supreme Court shall be fit and proper persons appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission: Provided that the appointment of acting judges shall be as may be provided for in an Act of Parliament.
(2) Judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court shall receive such remuneration as may be prescribed by or under law, and their remuneration shall not be reduced during their continuation in office.
(3) Any judge shall, before commencing to perform the functions of his or her office, make and subscribe an oath or solemn affirmation in the terms set out in Schedule 3 before any other judge.
(4) A judge may only be removed from office by the President on the grounds of misbehaviour, incapacity or incompetence established by the Judicial Service Commission and upon receipt of an address from both the National Assembly and the Senate praying for such removal.
(5) A judge who is the subject of an investigation by the Judicial Service Commission in terms of subsection (4) may be suspended by the President pending such investigation.
Judicial Service Commission
105. (1) There shall be a Judicial Service Commission, which shall, subject to subsection (3), consist of—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(2) The functions of the Judicial Service Commission shall be—
(a)
(b)
(c)
(3) When the Commission performs its functions in terms of subsection (2)(c) it shall sit without the four senators referred to in subsection (1)(h).
(4) The Commission shall determine its own procedure, provided that the support of at least an ordinary majority of all its members shall be required for its decisions.
(5) The Commission may appoint committees from among its number and assign any of its powers and functions to such committee.
Seats of Constitutional Court and Appellate Division
106. (1) The seat of the Constitutional Court shall be Johannesburg.
(2) The seat of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court shall be Bloemfontein.
Languages
107. (1) A party to litigation, an accused person and a witness may, during the proceedings of a court, use the South African language of his or her choice, and may require such proceedings of a court in which he or she is involved to be interpreted in a language understood by him or her.
(2) The record of the proceedings of a court shall, subject to section 3, be kept in any official language: Provided that the relevant rights relating to language and the status of languages in this regard existing at the commencement of this Constitution shall not be diminished.
Attorneys-General
108. (1) The authority to institute criminal prosecutions on behalf of the state shall vest in the attorneys-general of the Republic.
(2) The area of jurisdiction, powers and functions of an attorney-general shall be as prescribed by or under law.
(3) No person shall be appointed as an attorney-general unless he or she is appropriately qualified in terms of a law regulating the appointment of attorneys-general in the Republic.
Magistrates Commission
109. There shall be a Magistrates Commission established by law to ensure that the appointment, promotion, transfer or dismissal of, or disciplinary steps against magistrates, take place without favour or prejudice, and that the applicable laws and administrative directives in this regard are applied uniformly and properly, and to ensure that no victimization or improper influencing of magistrates occurs.