Judicial officers play a central role in our constitutional democracy. They spend most of their time contemplating how the other branches of government do their work, but they will now be turning that critical gaze on to themselves, as the third arm of the state.
The Helen Suzman Foundation (“HSF”) commends the intent of the Magistrates Bill, 2022 and the Lower Courts Bill, 2022, to bring the administration and functioning of the Lower Courts in line with the Superior Courts and to provide much-needed independence from the Executive. Among the other submissions made by the HSF in response to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s call for comment, are the following: Magistrates Bill: The Department should undertake a .