Madame Speaker, 

As the title suggests, the Bill before the House today seeks to extend the jurisdiction of the regional courts, as distinct from district courts, from hearing only criminal matters to the hearing of civil disputes and divorce matters.  

Whereas before district courts had jurisdiction to deal with certain specified civil cases up to R100 000, at present regional courts have no civil jurisdiction. The Bill proposes that such jurisdiction be bestowed on regional courts in respect of divorce proceedings "and matters relating to the nullity of a marriage". This provision will thus change years of standardised divorce procedural matters in terms of both the Magistrates Courts Act of 1944 and the Administration Amendment Act of 1929.

By merging divorce courts so that they become part of regional courts, all presiding officers and other personnel are also to be merged by the same process. It is envisaged that members and officers of regional courts would receive additional and specialised training for their new roles. 

Madame Speaker, 

The IFP welcomes the proposed amendments as they would contribute towards enhancing access to justice for all and transform justice, the State and society, recognizing the need for the lower courts to mirror their counterparts, the superior courts, where appropriate. 

The IFP feels that by increasing the jurisdiction of the regional courts, the judicial expertise of magistrates will further develop, thereby increasing the pool of suitable candidates from which appointments could be made to the Bench of the superior courts. 

The IFP will support the Bill. 

Thank you
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mrs Sybil Seaton MP: 083 412 0075