Transfers between courts: the unspoken shaming of women
The process for a judge transferring between divisions is akin to seeking a new appointment. We review how this has impacted on female judges.
The JSC’s uneven line of questioning on judicial transformation
Section 174 (2) of the Constitution of South Africa, which may be referred to as the “transformation clause” stipulates that the need for the judiciary to “reflect broadly the racial and gender composition of South Africa must be considered” when judges are appointed. The contentious nature of the provision was captured in a question that […]
Bringing transparency to the JSC process
Every year in April and October Judges Matter runs strategic social media campaigns in order to bring the Judicial Service Commission Interviews to you. These multi-level campaigns include Facebook posts, live tweeting, YouTube videos and most importantly a live stream of the JSC interviews themselves. The JSC interviews are open to the public and our […]
Lawyers Associations complain about JSC nominations time frame
Two lawyers’ associations have complained to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that they did not have enough time to nominate for the head of the judiciary in the Eastern Cape. An advert for a number of positions, including one of Constitutional Court judge, was circulated by the JSC on the 11 January 2017, with a […]
A reflection on Zimbabwe’s JSC interviews for the Supreme Court
Tabeth Masengu is a researcher at the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit (DGRU) and PhD Research fellow at the UCT Department of Public Law and GHENT. She shares her thoughts on the recent Zimbabwean Judicial Service Commission interviews for the Supreme Court: On 29 September, I sat in a large venue at the Rainbow Towers […]
JSC deliberations and the appointment of Judges
When the JSC appoints judges, most of the proceedings are open to the public, and can be watched online on the Judges Matter website. However, when the members of the JSC discuss whether they are actually going to appoint a judge, the proceedings are closed. All members of the public leave the room, taking their […]
Who sits on the JSC panel?
Here is an overview of the seating plan for the JSC Commissioners during the JSC April 2021 interviews: **Diagram updated 12 July 2021** The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is made of up lawyers, politicians and judges, and a lone academic. With hearings happening twice a year in the first week of April and October, you […]
