Capacity: Judge
First appointed as a Judge: November 2011 (KwaZulu-Natal High Court)
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Coloured
Date of Birth: July 1970
Qualifications: BA Law (1991) LLB (1993)(University of Natal)
Key judgments:
- W.B v R.B and Another (D8141/2022) [2023] ZAKZDHC 96; 2024 (4) SA 316 (KZD) (18 December 2023)
- Standard Bank of South Africa Limited v Young and Another (D8880/2021) [2022] ZAKZDHC 30 (4 August 2022)
- Tansnat Durban (Pty) Ltd v Ethekwini Municipality and Others (D4178/2020) [2021] ZAKZDHC 3 (8 February 2021)
- S v Ebrahim (CCD49/19) [2020] ZAKZDHC 64 (7 December 2020)
Candidate Bio:
Judge Jacqueline Irene Henriques is a judge of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court.
Her legal career is rooted in practical experience and a steady progression through the ranks of South Africa’s legal system. Judge Jacqueline Irene Henriques on her legal journey as a candidate attorney from 1993 to 1995, after which she became an attorney and professional assistant at the same firm where she completed her articles. Her early career established her reputation for legal diligence and precision.
From 1998 to 1999, she served as an Assistant State Attorney and was later promoted to State Attorney. Her experience in this role, where she represented government departments in civil litigation, gave her significant exposure to high-level legal matters. In 2000, she transitioned to advocacy after completing her pupillage, and she was admitted as an advocate in December of that year. Judge Jacqueline Irene Henriques practiced as an advocate for over a decade, focusing on civil and constitutional matters, before being appointed to the bench in 2011 at the Durban High Court.
Her judicial career has seen her preside over complex civil disputes and high-profile criminal cases. Notably, in W.B v R.B and Another (2023), where Judge Henriques dealt with a sensitive family law matter involving the division of assets in a contentious divorce. She carefully balanced the emotional and financial complexities of the case, ensuring that the equitable division of marital property adhered to both legal principles and the unique circumstances of the parties involved. Her judgment in this case has been widely cited in family law contexts for its thorough analysis of asset distribution.
In Standard Bank of South Africa Limited v Young and Another (2022), Judge Henriques presided over a significant banking dispute, where she upheld contractual obligations between parties, reinforcing the need for clear and binding financial agreements in South Africa’s banking sector. Her judgment was lauded for its clarity and strict interpretation of contractual law, reinforcing trust and certainty in financial dealings.
Judge Jacqueline Irene Henriques also demonstrated her expertise in administrative law in Tansnat Durban (Pty) Ltd v Ethekwini Municipality and Others (2021). The case involved a dispute over public transportation contracts, and her judgment underscored the principles of fairness and transparency in government procurement processes. She highlighted the importance of legal compliance in public-private partnerships, ensuring accountability on both sides.
In April 2024, Judge Henriques was appointed as Acting Deputy Judge President, reflecting her growing leadership within the judiciary. Her role as a senior judge continues to inspire younger members of the legal profession, particularly women of colour, showcasing her commitment to justice, fairness, and transformation within the legal landscape. Her judicial philosophy balances legal precision with a deep understanding of societal impacts, making her a well-respected figure in South Africa’s legal system.
