The October 2026 JSC interviews bring 43 candidates competing for 22 judicial vacancies, serious judicial misconduct matters and proposed reforms to the appointments process. With specialist courts under pressure and longstanding vacancies to fill, Judges Matter examines what is at stake for South Africa’s judiciary.
The JSC has called for nominations to fill 22 judicial vacancies across South Africa’s courts ahead of the October 2026 interview session.
Originally the Constitutional Court was established as the final court on all constitutional matters. However, following the 17th amendment Act of 2012 it is now South Africa’s highest court on all matters. The Constitutional Court consists of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice and nine other judges. Thus, the Court’s bench is supposed to […]
Whenever there are vacancies in the judiciary, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) advertises those vacancies, receives nominations, shortlists candidates, and public interviews are conducted to select candidates who are then recommended for appointment by the President. In order to qualify for appointment as a judge, one must be appropriately qualified and must be considered to […]
The Constitutional Court currently has two vacancies open. These vacancies have not been advertised in the call for nominations for the JSC’s October 2018 interviews. This has surprised many people, as the vacancies have stood open since June 2016 and January 2018 respectively – so it is not as if these have only suddenly become […]
