Find us — official card details

Quiz answers

1. Section 165. 2. S v Van Rooyen 2002 (5) SA 246 (CC); [2002] ZACC 8. 3. Rule 12 (default); Rule 49 (rescission), read with section 36 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act. 4. Section 42. 5. A presiding officer of the children’s court. 6. False — acting is a mode of sitting, not a lesser species of officer. What would you do? JASA’s preferred circle is still C.

Notes and table of authorities

Authority Use in this edition

Constitution ss 165, 166, 28, 34, 35, 6 Independence; courts; children; fair hearing; language

Children’s Act 38 of 2005 Children’s court; adoption; accredited agencies; best interests

Magistrates’ Courts Act 32 of 1944 s 36 Rescission and variation

Magistrates’ Courts Rules 12 and 49 Default judgment; rescission

Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 s 212 Formal proof of certain forensic facts

S v Van Rooyen 2002 (5) SA 246 (CC); [2002] ZACC 8 Magistrates are judicial officers

President of the RSA v SARFU 1999 (4) SA 147 (CC); [1999] ZACC 9 Recusal — reasonable apprehension of bias

S v Makwanyane 1995 (3) SA 391 (CC); [1995] ZACC 3 Dignity; ubuntu

G.J v C.J [2026] ZAGPJHC 785; [2026] 3 All SA 623 (GJ) Cumulative emotional abuse meets the DVA threshold

NSPCA v Minister of Justice [2016] ZACC 46; 2017 (1) SACR 284 (CC) Private prosecution; intrinsic value of animals

Magistrates Act 90 of 1993 Remuneration and conditions of service

Magistrates Commission shortlist notice, Aug 2026 RCP and Chief Magistrate interviews 14–16 Sept 2026

SADAG 24-hour line 0800 567 567 · SMS 31393 · Emergency 10111

This note uses public records and JASA’s stated positions. It is a friendly briefing, not a court order.

Authority stems from action. A good late-spring month to every colleague — especially every name on a shortlist.