RULES BOARD FOR COURTS OF LAW

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The Rules Board for Courts of Law ("the Rules Board") is a statutory body which was established by the Rules Board for Courts of Law Act 107 of 1985 ("the Act") to review the rules of court and to make, amend or repeal rules, subject to the approval of the Minister of Justice.

The Chairperson of the Rules Board is Justice B E Nkabinde who was appointed by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional development in terms of section 3(1)(a) of the Act with effect from 17 May 2005 for a period of five years. The term of office of the other members expired on 16 June 2006. The Minister appointed the current members of the Rules Board with effect from 18 October 2006. The Rules Board's term of office will expire on 16 May 2010.

Section 9 of the Act provides for the establishment of a secretariat to the Board which is to perform the work incidental to the performance by the Board of its functions. The secretariat provides secretarial and administrative support to the Board. The secretariat also conducts research into the rules of court. The Rules Board secretariat is located in the Branch: Legislative and Constitutional Development.

The Rules Board considers representations from users of the Rules for amendments of the Rules. A consultative process is followed before the Rules Board makes a decision to amend a Rule.

After the Rules Board approves the amendment of a particular rule, the amended rules are forwarded to the Minister for approval as required by section 6(1) of the Act. After the Minister approves the amendment, the amendment is published in the Government Gazette and thereafter tabled in parliament.

Since 2004, the Rules Board has approved amendments to a number of Rules which were forwarded to the Minister for her approval. The Rules Board is currently considering a number of representations.

Notices

• The Magistrates’ Court Committee of the Rules Board is reviewing the rules of civil procedure which presently apply in the Magistrates’ Courts in compliance with section 9(6)(a) of the Jurisdiction of Regional Courts Amendment Act, 2008, which confers jurisdiction on Regional Courts to deal with civil matters, including matters currently dealt with in the Divorce Courts established under section 10 of the Administration Amendment Act, 1929....read more

• Kindly take note that Rule 5(1) of the Magistrates’ Court Rules has been amended. The amendment was published in the Government Gazette No. 1341 of 12 December 2008 and came into effect on 12 January 2009. In terms of the amendment, the time limit for the defendant to enter an appearance to defend after receipt of summons has been increased from 5 to 10 days.”

Related Government Notices:

• GG 35626, RG 9809, GoN 685 [261kb] Rules Board for Courts of Law Act: Magistrates’ Courts: Rules of Court: Amendment, 31 August 2012
• GG 35450, RG 9778, GoN 464 [228kb] Rules Board for Courts of Law Act: High Court of South Africa: Rules regulating conduct of proceedings of several provincial and local divisions: Amendment, 22 June 2012
• GG 34892, RG 9652, GoN 1085 [127kb] Rules Board for Courts of Law Act: Magistrates' courts: Rules of Court: Amendment
• GG 34479 - Notice R 611 [292kb] Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Magistrate's Courts: Amendment of the Rules of Court - GG 34479, 29 Jul 2011, Notice R611
• GG 34091 - Notice R 206 [718kb] Magistrates' Court Act (32/1944): Translation of Magistrates Court Rules into isiXhosa - GG 34091, 15 Mar 2011, Notice 206
• GG 34073 - Notice R 191 [17kb] Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Aendment: Rules regulating the Conduct of the Proceedings of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa - GG 34073, 11 Mar 2011, Notice R191
• GG 33355, Notice R592 - Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Magistrates' Courts: Amendment of the Rules of Court
• GG 33355, Notice R591 - Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Amendment: Rules regulating the conduct of the proceedings of the several provincial and local divisions of the High Court of South Africa
• GG 33273,Notice R500 - Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Amendment of the rules regulating the conduct of the proceedings of the several provincial and local divisions of the High Court of South Africa
• GG 33273,Notice R499 - Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Magistrates' Courts: Amendment of the Rules of Court
• GG 32941, Notice R90 - Rules Board for Courts of Law Act (107/1985): Amendment: Rules regulating the conduct of the proceedings of the several provincial and local divisions of the High Court of South Africa. Effects on the Rules Regulating the Conduct of the Proceedings of the Several Provincial and Local Divisions of the High Court of South Africa, R48 of 1965: r 70(3B) (R48/1965) inserted by Schedule (R90/2010) on 12 Mar 2010; r 70(4) (R48/1965) substituted by Schedule (R90/2010) on 12 Mar 2010; First Schedule Form 26 (R48/1965) inserted by Schedule (R90/2010) on 12 Mar 2010

Follow this link to view older notices: Notices

The Rules Board for Courts of Law
8th Floor, The Meent Building,
c/o Thabo Sehume* & Pretorius Streets,
PRETORIA
Tel: (012) 326 8014
Fax: (012) 326 8018
P.O Box 13106, The Tramshed, 0126

*Andries Street was renamed Thabo Sehume Street by Tshwane Council in March 2012.