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Media Releases

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2025

• South Africa's Criminal Procedure Act currently under review, Advocate Jacob Skosana, Views & News with Clarence Ford, CapeTalk, 25 Feb 2025

  [16:03 min/mp3]

• SA Law Reform Commission, Criminal Procedure Act to be reviewed: Advocate Jacob Skosana, SABC News, 21 Feb 2025
  Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, says the country's criminal justice system, including the Criminal Procedure Act, must be transformed to be more effective, efficient, integrated, victim-centred, and in keeping with the Constitution. He was speaking during a media briefing on the release of four discussion papers by the South African Law Reform Commission on the review of the Criminal Procedure Act in Pretoria. Member of the South African Law Commission, Advocate Jacob Skosana joins us to discuss.

• Press Statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its release of Discussion Paper 167: Review of South Africa’s Bail Dispensation – Project 151, 20 February 2025 [MS Word version]
• Press Statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its release of Discussion Paper 166 on the Review of the Arrest Dispensation: Project 151, 20 February 2025 [MS Word version]
• Press Statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its release of Discussion Paper 165 on Non-Trial Resolutions: Project 151, 20 February 2025 [MS Word version]
• Publication of the Discussion Paper 164: Review of the Criminal Justice System: Appropriate (Alternative) Dispute Resolution in Criminal Matters for public comment - Project 151, 20 February 2025 [MS Word version]
• Media statement by the South African Law Reform Commission regarding Consultative Workshops on its Discussion Paper 168 Project 94 Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Mediation Act for South Africa, 14 February 2025
• Media statement on further extension of closing date for comment on Discussion Paper 163: Project 148: Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 31 January 2025.
  [MS Word version of statement or MS Word version of statement Large Font]
• Media Statement on Discussion Paper 168 (Project 94) on Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Mediation Act for South Africa. Closing date for comments: 30 April 2025

2024

• Extension of closing date for comment on Discussion Paper 163 on domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to 31 January 2025, 03 December 2024
• Announcement of Winners: South Law Reform Commission (SALRC) and JUTA and COMPANY 2023 Legal Essay Writing Competition in honour of the late Chief Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa, 02 October 2024
• Media statement on the publication of Discussion Paper 163: Project 148: Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 01 October 2024.
• Media statement on the publication of the Discussion Paper 162: Review of Colonial and Apartheid Legislation administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for public comment, 04 July 2024
• Media statement by the South African Law Reform Commission Concerning its release of the Report on Project 100b: Review of the Maintenance Act, 1998 (Act No.99 of 1998), 26 March 2024

2023

• Media statement on the appointment of an Advisory Committee on Criminal Procedure Reform Investigation, 13 December 2023
• Invitation to attend a virtual workshop (4, 6 and 7 Dec 2023), on Discussion Paper 160 on the Review of Aspects of Matrimonial Property Law (Project 100E), 17 November 2023
• Media Statement: Release of Issue Paper 43 – Review of Colonial and Apartheid Era Legislation administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (Project 149), 20 October 2023
• Media Statement: Extension of closing date for comment on Discussion Paper 160 on the Review of aspects of Matrimonial Property Law (Project 100e) until 30 November 2023, 29 September 2023
• Media Statement: Release of Report on Project 143: Investigation into maternity and parental benefits for self-employed workers in the informal economy, 13 September 2023
• Media Statement: Project 100E: Discussion Paper 160: Project 100E: Review of aspects of Matrimonial Property Law. Closing date for comments: 30 September 2023
• Media Statement: Project 100: Discussion Paper 161: Domestic Violence: The Criminal Law Response. Closing date for comments: 30 October 2023
• Media Statement: Project 147: Discussion Paper 159: Review of laws regulating Funeral Parlours and Related Services Industry. Closing date for comments: 29 Sep 2023

2022

• Media Statement: Project 135: Revised Discussion Paper 158: The Review of the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957. Closing date for comments: 31 Oct 2022
• Invitation to attend a virtual workshop on Project 100B, Discussion Paper 157 on the Review of the Maintenance Act 99 of 1998 on one of the following days, 04, 06 or 08 July 2022 from 09:00 – 13:00.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 157, Project 100B: on the Review of the Maintenance Act 99 of 1998. Closing date for comments: 30 June 2022
• Media Statement: Project 100D: Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Matters renewed call for comment by 31 July 2022. The SALRC is making a renewed call for comment on its Discussion Paper on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Matters (Discussion Paper 148) by 31 July 2022.
• Media Statement: Concerning release of Discussion Paper 156, Project 149: Repeal of the Transkeian Penal Code, 1983 (Act 9 of 1983). A Sub-Project of the Review of Colonial and Apartheid Legislation.
  
• Media Statement: Report on the Practice of Ukuthwala (Project 138), 29 Mar 2022
• Media Statement: Report on Project 142: Investigation into legal fees, including access to justice and other interventions, 29 Mar 2022
• Media statement: Report on Harmonisation of existing laws providing for different Prescription Periods (Project 125), 29 Mar 2022.
• Media statement: Report on Sexual Offences: Pornography and Children (Project 107), 29 Mar 2022
• Media statement: Project 141, Discussion Paper 154: Medico-legal Claims. Closing date for comments extended to 28 Feb 2022.
• Media Statement by the Commissioners of the SA Law Reform Commission on the appointment of Judge Narandran (Jody) Kollapen as Justice of the Constitutional Court, 13 January 2022

2021

• Media Statement: Issue Paper 42 (Project 100) Domestic Violence (the Criminal Law Response) . Closing date for comments: 28 February 2022
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 155 (Project 100D) Relocation of families with reference to minor children. Closing date for comments: 31 January 2022
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 41 (Project 100E) Review of Aspects of Matrimonial Property Law. Extension of closing date for comment until 14 January 2022.
• Media statement: Project 141, Discussion Paper 154: Medico-legal Claims. Closing date for comments: 31 Jan 2022.
• Media statement: Project 143, Discussion Paper 153: Extension of closing date for comment on Discussion Paper 153: Investigation into Maternity and Parental Benefits for Self-Employed Workers in the Informal Economy (Project 143) until 03 December 2021 [27 Oct 2021]
• Webinar Invite: SALRC National Webinar 2021: Maternity and Parental Benefits for Self-Employed Workers in the Informal Economy (Discussion Paper 153). The purpose of the webinar is to workshop the preliminary law reform proposals contained in Discussion Paper 153 with stakeholders with a view to obtain their input and comment in shaping these proposals.Click here for the webinar programme.
  Date: 10 Nov 2021
  Time: 09h30-14h00
  RSVP: LMngoma@justice.gov.za, (012) 622 6349
  Should you wish to participate in this webinar, please contact Mr Mngoma on the contact details provided above.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 41 (Project 100E) Review of Aspects of Matrimonial Property Law. Closing date for comment is 30 November 2021
• Media Statement: (Project 143, Discussion Paper 153) Investigation into Maternity and Parental Benefits for Self-Employed Workers in the Informal Economy, 19 July 2021
• Media statement: (Project 148, Issue Paper 39) Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The return date for submission of comments originally set as 31 May 2021, has been extended to 30 June 2021.
• Media statement: (Project 149) Repeal Of Colonial And Apartheid Legislation. Closing date for comments: 03 June 2021.
• Media statement: Issue Paper 40 (Project 145) Review of Mechanisms of Intergovernmental Relations Applicable to the Social Development Sector. Closing date for comments: 30 July 2021
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 39 [Project 148] on the Domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The closing date for comment is 31 May 2021.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 152 [Project 144] Single Marriage Statute (Project 144): Extension of closing date for comment on until 17 May 2021.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 152 [Project 144] Single Marriage Statute, January 2021. Closing date for comment: 31 March 2021

2020

• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 151 [Project 127] Review of administration orders
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 38 on the Review of Laws regulating Funeral Parlours and Related Services Industry (Project 147) published for general information and comment. Respondents are requested to submit written comment, representations or submissions to the Commission by 30 November 2020
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 150, Project 142: Investigation into Legal Fees, including access to justice and other interventions, 18 Sep 2020

2019

• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 148 on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Matters [Amendmed on 25 Nov 2019]
  
• Workshop Invitation: Access to legal services by the Middle Class, Project 142: Investigation into Legal Fees on 15 November 2019
• Media statement: Extension for submission of Statistical Information or Data on Issue Paper 36 Project 142: Investigation into Legal Fees, to 15 Nov 2019.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 36: Project 142: Investigation into Legal Fees. Fees. Preliminary Schedule of Legal Costs Community Hearings, as on 06 Aug 2019.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 35 (Project 144) Single Marriage Statute. Closing date for comment has been extended to 31 August 2019
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 36: Project 142: Investigation into Legal Fees. Fees. Preliminary Schedule of Legal Costs Community Hearings, as on 22 Jul 2019.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 37: Project 146: Review of Regulatory, Compliance and Reporting Burdens imposed on Local Government by Legislation
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 149, Project 107: Sexual Offences: Pornography and Children.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 35 (Project 144) Single Marriage Statute. Closing date for comment 31 July 2019

2018

• Media Statement: Report on Project 25: Statutory Law Revision: Report on Legislation administered by the Department of Public Service and Administration
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 34 on review of aspects of Matrimonial Property Law published for public information and comment. Deadline for comment to 15 November 2018.
• Media Statement: Release of revised Discussion Paper 147 on Project 125: Prescription Periods. Extension of Deadline for comment to 30 June 2018.
• Media Statement: Release of revised Discussion Paper 147 on Project 125: Prescription Periods. Closing Date for comment: 30 April 2018.

2017

• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 145 (Project 25) Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Health. Closing Date for comment: 30 September 2017.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 33 (Project 141) Medico-legal Claims. Closing Date for comment: 30 September 2017.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 146 (Project 25) Statutory Law Revision: Legislation administered by the Department of Police. Closing Date for comment: 30 September 2017.
• Invite: Invitation to attend a workshop on Issue Paper 32: The Right To Know One’s Own Biological Origins in Aug 2017
• Media Statement: Research Proposal Paper (Project 143) on Maternity and Paternity Benefits for Self-Employed Workers, 20 May 2017.

2016

• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 144 (Project 25) Statutory Law Revision: Legislation administered by the Department of Trade and Industry.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 143 (Project 25) Statutory Law Revision: Legislation administered by the Department of Social Development.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 142 (Project 25): South African Law Reform Commission reviews legislation administered by the DPSA.
• Media Statement: Issue Paper 31 (Project 100D): Family Dispute Resolution: Care of and Contact with Children.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 141 (Project 25): on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Water and Sanitation
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 140 (Project 25): Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by Department of Arts and Culture
• Invitation: Invitation to attend a workshop on the practice of Ukuthwala conducted by the South African Law Reform Commission. The Commission will be conducting workshops in KwaZulu-Natal (28 January 2016), Eastern Cape (04 February 2016), Limpopo (11 February 2016), Mpumalanga (18 February 2016), Free State (25 February 2016) and Pretoria (03 March 2016).
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 139 (Project 135) The review of the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957.

2015

• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 132 (Project 138) Revised Discussion Paper, The Practice of Ukuthwala.
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 136 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Environmental Affairs
• Media Statement: Project 107: Issue Paper 30 on Sexual Offences: Pornography and Children
• Media statement: Discussion Paper 137 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Science and Technology
• Media Statement: SALRC refutes claims of proposed cancellation of religious holidays
• Media Statement: Investigation into the expungement of certain Criminal Records (Project 137)
• Media Statement: South African Law Reform Commission extends closing date for comment on its Discussion Paper 133 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Home Affairs to 30 June 2015
• Media Statement: Discussion Paper 133 (Project 25) Statutory Law Revision: Review of legislation administered by the Department of Home Affairs. Closing date for comments: 31 May 2015 

2014

• Media statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its investigation into the Review of the Law of Evidence (Project 126) Discussion Paper on the Review of the Law of Evidence dealing with hearsay, relevancy & the admissibility of electronic evidence in civil and criminal proceedings, 10 Dec
• Invitation to attend a workshop on the Practice of Ukuthwala conducted by the South African Law Reform Commission.
  The Commission will be conducting workshops in Pietermaritzburg (27 November 2014), East London (02 December 2014), Thohoyandou (04 December 2014) and Pretoria (29 January 2015). Closing dates for registrations: 21 November 2014 for November workshops and 16 January for the January workshop.
• Media statement: Project 135: Issue Paper: Review of the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957 [Issue Paper 29], 09 Sep
• Media statement: Project 100: Issue Paper: Review of the Maintenance Act 99 of 1998 [Issue Paper 28], 09 Sep
• Media statement: The Practice of Ukutwala, Discussion Paper 132 (Project 138), 01 Sep
• Media statement: Invitation to the Ismail Mahomed Law Reform Essay Competition Prize Giving Ceremony and the 10 year commemoration of the comeptition, 20 Aug
• Media statement: Invitation to enter the Ismail Mahomed Law Reform Essay Competition for the 2014 academic year, 27 Feb

2013

• Media statement on the appointment of the members of the South African Law Reform Commission, 12 Aug

2012

• Media statement: Invitation to enter the Ismail Mahomed Law Reform Essay Competition for the 2011 and 2012 academic years

2011

• Media statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its release of Discussion Paper 129 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (Project 25)
• Media statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its release of Discussion Paper 128 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
• Media statement by the South African Law Reform Commission concerning its release of Discussion Paper 127 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Tourism
• Media Statement by the SALRC concerning its investigation on Prescription Periods (Project 125)
• Article: Law reform gets new ideas from students
• Media Invite: 2010 Ismail Mahomed Law Reform Essay Competition Award Ceremony, 22 July 2011
• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its release of Discussion Paper 125 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Basic Education
• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its release of Discussion Paper 124 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Mineral Resources
• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its release of Discussion Paper 123 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Defence
• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its release of Discussion Paper 122 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Communications
• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its release of Discussion Paper 121 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Public Works  
• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its investigation into Sentencing – a Compensation Fund for Victims of Crime (Project 82)

2010

• Media statement by the SALRC concerning its release of Discussion Paper 120 on Statutory Law Revision in respect of legislation administered by the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditonal Affairs
• Government mandates the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate the practice of Ukuthwala
• South African Law Reform Commission extends closing date for comment on its Discussion Paper 116 on Energy Legislation to 31 January 2011
• Top Law Students Awarded the 2009 Ismail Mahomed Prize For Law Reform
• Workers World Media Productions pre-recorded radio interview on Sexual Offences: Adult Prostitution (Zulu, Setswana)
• Media Release: Issue Paper on Electronic Evidence in Criminal and Civil Proceedings: Admissibility and Related Issues
• Visit by the Ugandan Human Rights Commission, March 2010

2009

• Media Release: Ismail Mahomed Law Reform Essay Competition for 2009 (Invitation)
• Media Release: Privacy and Data Protection (Project 124)
• Media Release: SEXUAL OFFENCES - ADULT PROSTITUTION

• Top Law Students Awarded the Ismail Mahomed Prize For Law Reform

2008

• Media Release: WORK IN PROGRESS: IMPORTANT INVESTIGATIONS ON THE PROGRAMME
• Media Release: Project 134: ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES (Interim Report)
• Media Release: Project 131: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
• Media Release: Project 130: STALKING
• Media Release: Project 123: PROTECTED DISCLOSURES
• Media Release: Project 121: Consolidated Legislation pertaining to International Co-Operation in Civil Matters (Dec 2006)
• Media Release: INVITATION TO ENTER THE 2008 ISMAIL MAHOMED LAW REFORM ESSAY COMPETITION (Closing date extended to 30 Nov 2008) More Information
• Media Release: Project 25 Statutory Law Review - Legislation administered by the Department of Transport
• Media Release: PROJECT 25: STATUTORY LAW REVISION
• Media Release: INVESTIGATION INTO THE REVIEW OF THE LAW OF EVIDENCE (PROJECT 126)
• Media Release: REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATION ORDERS (PROJECT 127): QUESTIONNAIRE ON ABOLITION OF ADMINISTRATION ORDERS
• Media Release: INVESTIGATION INTO CUSTOMARY LAW OF SUCCESSION (PROJECT 90)

2007

• Media Release: Project 25: Review of the Interpretation Act 33 of 1957, (Discussion Paper 112 - Closing date for comment: 28 Feb 2007)

2006

• Media Release: Project 131 - Trafficking in Persons ( Discussion Paper 111 - Closing date for comment: 30 June 2006)

2005

• Media Release: Project 134 - Administration of Estates ( Discussion Paper 110 - Closing date for comment: 18 November 2005)
• Media Release: Project 124 - Privacy and data protection (Discussion Paper – Closing date for comment: 28 February 2006)

2003

• Media Release: Issue paper 24 (Project 124) - Privacy and data protection
• Media Release: Issue paper 23 (Project 125) - Prescription periods
• Media Release:Issue paper 22 (Project 130) - Stalking
• Media Statement: Discussion paper 104 (Project 118) - Domestic partnerships (Postponement Of Criminal Cases Via Audiovisual Link) July 2003
• Media Release: Project 113: The Use Of Electronic Equipment In Court Proceedings (Postponement Of Criminal Cases Via Audiovisual Link) July 2003
• Media Release: Project 59: Islamic Marriages And Related Matters (July 2003)
• Media Release: Project 96: The Apportionment Of Damages Act 34 Of 1956 (July 2003)
• Media Release: Project 90: Customary Law Report (January 2003) Report on traditional courts and the judicial function of traditional leaders

2002

• Media Release: Project 107: Sexual Offences - Issue Paper 19 Sexual Offences: Adult Prostitution (August 2002)
• Media Release: Project 73: Fifth Interim Report on Simplification of Criminal Procedure (August 2002)
• Media Release: Project 73: Sixth Interim Report on Simplification of Criminal Procedure (August 2002)
• Media Release: Project 105: Report on Review of Security Legislation (August 2002)
• Media Release: Project 114: Publication of Divorce Proceedings (August 2002)

2001

• Media Release: Project 107: Sexual Offences - Discussion Paper 102 (Feb 2001)
• Media Release: Project 110: Release of the Discussion Paper 103 on the Review of the Child Care Act for public comment.

1999

• Media Release: The Report on Euthanasia and the Artificial Preseravtion of Life (Project 86) 27 July 1999.

1998

• Invitation to comment on the UNCITRAL Model Act on Cross Border Insolvency (26 May 1998). Closing date for comments 30 June 1998; Annexure A: UNCITRAL Model Act; Annexure B Model Act Adapted for Enactment in South Africa
• Media Release :Statement on maintenance (Project 100) 14 May 1998
• Media statement:on the investigation into unreasonable stipulations in contracts and the rectification of contracts (Project 47) 14 May 1998
• Media statement : Project 85 - Investigation into aspects of the law relating to AIDS: Pre-employment HIV testing and HIV/AIDS and discrimination in schools14 May 1998
• Media Release: regarding Discussion Paper 75 (Project 111) Constitutional Jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Courts 14 April 1998
• Media statement : The Marriage Act (Project 109) - Investigation into the review of the Marriage Act 25 of 1961 ( 7 January 1998)