How many years does it take to become a magistrate in South Africa?

How long does it take to become a magistrate in South Africa?

Before prospective magistrates are appointed as permanent magistrates, they must first successfully complete a course at Justice College, the training Department of Justice, and thereafter complete 6 months practical training.

What qualifications do you need to be a magistrate in South Africa?

In order to qualify as a magistrate you need to have an LLB degree as a minimum requirement. Judges preside over criminal, civil and constitutional matters in the High Courts, Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. They are appointed by the President on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

How long does it take to become a magistrate?

A magistrate undergoes mandatory training of about 3 and a half days before sitting in court, and will be allocated a mentor for their first year. After a magistrate has sat for 12 months, they will be regularly appraised by specially-trained magistrates.

How are magistrates appointed in South Africa?

A Magistrates are appointed by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services on the advise of the Magistrates Commission.

Who is the youngest judge in South Africa?

At the age of 34, Madlanga was appointed to the Mthatha High Court, making him the youngest judge in SA at the time. He’s held acting positions in various lower courts. Justice Madlanga was a practicing advocate and a JSC Commissioner before he was appointed to the Constitutional Court more than eight years ago.

What age can you become a Magistrate?

Age. You have to be over 18 and under 65. Magistrates must retire at 70 and are normally expected to serve for at least 5 years.

How many years does it take to study law in South Africa?

The standard requirement before one can practice as a lawyer is completing an LLB degree which takes 4 years. Alternatively, some students choose to first study a BCom or BA which takes 3 years and then study another 2 years to complete their LLB.

Can a lawyer become a Magistrate?

High courts of the respective states will conduct a qualifying exam called Judicial Service Examination. Once a lawyer has cleared this exam, he/she shall become a Civil Judge or Magistrate.

What should I study to become a Magistrate?

To become a Magistrate one has to first possess a degree in L.L.B. To get the L.L.B degree the eligible candidate has to undertake an entrance test conducted by Law departments of various universities of India or the independent law schools/ Institutions.

Can anyone be a magistrate?

As long as they are over 18 and can make the time for it, almost anybody can become a magistrate. There are only a few exceptions: Police officers, traffic wardens and members of the armed forces cannot become magistrates. This is to make sure that magistrates are impartial.

Why are magistrates not paid?

Magistrates are not paid, apart from an allowance for loss of earnings, mileage and subsistence (which are at a standardised rate agreed by the Ministry of Justice). … Magistrates generally sit in threes in order to give judgement on a variety of cases in magistrates’ courts, youth courts and family proceedings courts.

Who appoints a magistrate?

Magistrate judges, as they have been designated since 1990, are appointed by the life-term federal district judges of a particular court, serving terms of eight years if full-time, or four years if part-time, and may be reappointed.

What’s the difference between a judge and a magistrate?

They can hear different types of cases. Judges generally hear larger, more complex cases while magistrates hear smaller matters such as petty crime and traffic offenses. … Magistrates have a smaller area of jurisdiction such as a city or county. There is a difference between the power given to a judge over a magistrate.

How many magistrates are in South Africa?

Regional courts

There are nine regional court presidents and 351 regional court magistrates.

Who is the best judge in South Africa?

Mogoeng Mogoeng