It’s time to nominate new judges for courts across South Africa – JSC October 2026

For two weeks, from 5 to 16 October 2026, the Judicial Service Commission will conduct public interviews to fill 22 judicial vacancies at ten Superior Courts across South Africa. This includes posts at the Supreme Court of Appeal, the Labour Court, and various High Court divisions.

The call for nominations is out, with the deadline for nominations set for 5 June 2026.

Read more about the qualities needed in aspirant judges, on our JSC Criteria and Guidelines for Judicial Appointment page.

The available positions:

Supreme Court of Appeal

Three vacancies are open at the Supreme Court of Appeal. One arose from the promotion of Justice Nambitha Dambuza to the Constitutional Court, while two others are due to retirements at the SCA. This will be the third round of appointments at the SCA in recent years and will help fill a critical judicial experience gap.

Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court

With five vacancies advertised, the labour courts have their highest vacancy rate in recent years. The position of Deputy Judge President has been vacant since the 2024 promotion of Justice Edwin Molahlehi to the position of Judge President. He too retires in the next few months, which will create yet another vacancy at the leadership level of the court. Two vacancies at the Labour Appeal Court have arisen due to the promotion of Justice Kate Savage to the Constitutional Court and the retirement of Justice Roland Sutherland. There are also two judge vacancies at the Johannesburg and Durban nodes of the Labour Court.

Competition Appeal Court

There are two longstanding vacancies at the Competition Appeal Court, partly as a result of the retirement of Judge Margaret Victor and the end of the term of Justice Bashier Vally. A previous attempt to fill the post in April 2026 did not result in an appointment.

Electoral Court

There is a single vacancy for a non-judge member of the Electoral Court, arising from the permanent appointment of Professor Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya as a judge of the Eastern Cape High Court.

Land Court

There are two longstanding vacancies at the Land Court. Since 2024, the JSC has twice attempted to fill the vacancies but did not receive candidates in the first round in 2025 and found the candidates unsuitable in the second round in April 2026.

Eastern Cape High Court

There is one vacancy for Deputy Judge President that arose in 2025 when Judge David van Zyl took early retirement. In October 2025, the JSC interviewed three candidates but found none of them suitable for appointment.

Gauteng High Court

There are four vacancies at the Gauteng High Court. Three are due to the promotions of Justice Dunstan Mlambo to the Constitutional Court, and Justices Bashier Vally and Leonie Windell to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The fourth vacancy is due to Judge Thina Siwendu being transferred from Gauteng to KZN.

KwaZulu-Natal High Court

There is a single vacancy in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court arising from the retirement of several judges in recent years, including Judges Dhaya Pillay, Kate Pillay, Mohini Moodley, and Rashid Vahed, as well as the passing of Judge Themba Sishi several years ago. Some of these vacancies were filled in October 2025. One now remains.

Northern Cape High Court

The retirement of long-serving Judge Johan Olivier has also opened a vacancy in the Northern Cape High Court.

…a high-quality, independent, and fair judiciary is essential to sustaining a vibrant democracy that protects rights, resolves disputes, and stimulates economic growth and development.

A call to nominate good candidates

It goes without saying that a high-quality, independent, and fair judiciary is essential to sustaining a vibrant democracy that protects rights, resolves disputes, and stimulates economic growth and development. A challenge in recent times is that good candidates are not stepping up to serve as judges; many simply need a small boost of confidence from a nominator. This is why we all must nominate exceptional lawyers to serve as judges.

JSC NOMINATION PROCESS:

Deadline: Nominations must reach the JSC Secretariat by Friday, 5 June 2026.

Judicial candidates may email their nominations (preferred) or hand-deliver them. Those emailing should follow up if they have not received confirmation by 5 June 2026 at 12:00 pm.

• The candidate’s signed written consent to the nomination.
• A detailed curriculum vitae disclosing formal qualifications.
• The standard questionnaire completed and signed (either the form for judges or non-judges, whichever is applicable).
• A certificate of good standing from the Legal Practice Council or the Magistrates Commission, as applicable.
• Copies of at least three written judgments by the candidate.
• Where the candidate seeks appointment to the Supreme Court of Appeal, at least one judgment must be authored solely by the candidate.

IMPORTANT: Candidates nominated for more than one court must submit a separate nomination letter in respect of each court.

Nomination documents must be arranged in the following order:

• Signed nomination letter
• Signed consent letter
• Signed updated 2026 questionnaire for judges (for current judges)
• Signed updated 2026 questionnaire for non-judges (for those not yet appointed as judges)
• Curriculum vitae
• Certificate of good standing (from the Legal Practice Council or Magistrates Commission, if applicable)
• At least three written judgments (and for the SCA, at least one authored solely by the candidate)
• Candidates nominated for more than one court must submit a separate nomination letter for each court.

Note on the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA):

Candidates need not provide their residential address, identity number, or cell phone number in their questionnaire or CV. Instead, they should complete Annexure “A” (for office use only).

Candidates must also submit a current clearance certificate from their professional body confirming their professional status, suitability for appointment, and any disciplinary history. For advocates and attorneys, this must come from the Legal Practice Council.

The Secretariat emphasises the following:

• Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be conducted in public.
• Nominators must motivate their nominations, referring to the candidate’s qualifications and fitness for appointment (there is no need to include a residential address, ID number, or cellphone number).

Deadline for nominations: Friday, 5 June 2026.

SEE OFFICIAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS HERE